Barely Legal

This tight track required lots of late braking and late entry (and late apexing) to go quick, and this was easily accomplished thanks to the Nitto's ability to grip no matter how hard we drove. In one section--a wide-open, sweeping right-hander that shoots you flat-out into the back section of the course--we maxed out Third gear, then ran Fourth almost to 7,200 rpm. All the while, we could feel the grip of the tires as we fought the g-forces that shoved us hard to the left, straining neck muscles, arms, and legs. It was amazing hanging on at speed like that.

Steering response, overall grip, and overall control proved tremendous as we pounded the SVT Cobra into the corners and it responded by taking direct orders. It rolled the center of each corner with little trail braking needed, and then we were back to the gas, far quicker than we'd even been before at this facility. If anything, there was slight oversteer, but it was controllable. And while it may sound cliche, the tires were predictable, meaning they gave a little warning just before breaking traction.

The GT was the second car to get the Nittos, so they were heat cycled and broken in when they went on. While quickest by a bunch on the Cobra, they were only marginally quicker than the Pirellis on the GT.

Was it possible they were too sticky for the handling and horsepower? We doubt it, as they did provide incredible hook, but perhaps the level of the GT just didn't require such a racy tire. Like on the Cobra, we ran the NT01 tires at 27 psi, and turn-in was instant and accurate. We now wonder if a little more pressure may have picked up performance. The SSBC brakes allowed us to get really aggressive and brake late, which only enhanced bite on entry. There really was no pushing or understeer, nor was there oversteer. In fact, the Nittos hooked up so well, it was difficult to induce oversteer at all.

Toyo Proxes RA-1
Toyo Tires' Proxes RA-1 Competition Radial is yet another DOT-approved "race" tire that we selected and tested. According to Toyo, "The RA-1 is designed specifically for improved touring, racing, and autocross, and it features all the high-tech components to provide an uncommon competition advantage.

"Traction is improved over standard high-performance tires with the high-grip compound dispersed in Solution SBR for enhanced grip in both wet and dry conditions, plus uniform wear. A special sidewall is also used to protect casing plies and provide heat resistance at high speeds and the free-floating steel cord side ply is added for sidewall rigidity, cornering stability and steering response."

The Toyo Proxes RA-1, which is the official tire of the SPEED World Challenge Series, went to the plate first on the GT with 29 psi, and immediately we noticed loose condition, where, like the Pirellis, the inside rear tire was spinning a bit more than we would have liked when coming off the sharper corners. We also had to consider that the tires were brand-new and the track was still a bit green, as we'd yet to lay down any significant rubber. With a little more time on the track and two less psi in the tires, we picked up our lap times considerably.

The Proxes have a race-inspired construction designed to keep the tires stable at high speed and under extreme cornering loads. They also feature a "superior thermal stability," which helps lap consistency. We found the tires to fit the mix well, providing race-like performance and the consistency and predictability that is advertised.

On the Cobra, we recorded lap times between 1:21:27 and 1:22.45 and were able to run those times lap after lap. The Cobra was a bit loose compared to the other tires, but this is something we could have adjusted for and fixed. Like the Pirellis, the Proxes RA-1s are great for open track and competition driving, or for spirited squirts on the street. Steering response and grip is much improved over a typical high-performance street radial.