24/02/2011 10:36:34 Tim Guy As both Goodyear GSD2s and Toyo T1-Rs seem to unavailable / out of stock at the moment and Bridgestones are a thing of the past, I'm thinking about some Toyo 195/50/16 R888s on some spare rims to get me through the MoT, then get 215/40/16 T1-Rs for road when they come back in stock, leaving the spares for track use. I see mixed reviews of R888 on wet roads but suspect much of this is internet folk lore. Interested to hear from anyone who has anyone actually used them on wet roads. My concern is that Fran mostly uses the F day to day so it's not just my decision - my neck. Thanks Tim

25/02/2011 12:47:42 Trophy-Steve [quote=Tim Guy]As both Goodyear GSD2s and Toyo T1-Rs seem to unavailable / out of stock at the moment and Bridgestones are a thing of the past, I'm thinking about some Toyo 195/50/16 R888s on some spare rims to get me through the MoT, then get 215/40/16 T1-Rs for road when they come back in stock, leaving the spares for track use. I see mixed reviews of R888 on wet roads but suspect much of this is internet folk lore. Interested to hear from anyone who has anyone actually used them on wet roads. My concern is that Fran mostly uses the F day to day so it's not just my decision - my neck. Thanks Tim[/quote] Hi Tim, I was thinking of eventually going down the 888 route, but as everyday tyres (car gets little use outside 'track days' ;) ) They dont appear to do an exact replacement tho', what is the nearest size to 'our' car sizes and will they suit ? If you have problems getting GSD2's try Fetham Tyre Centres [URL="http://www.felthamtyre.co.uk"]www.felthamtyre.co.uk[/URL] after trying almost everywhere they somehow magic'd me some !

25/02/2011 15:26:14 Tim Guy Hi Steve, thanks for the reply. I was going for the nearest thing, 195/50/16 in the R888s, not as bad as it would seem as they are a touch squarer on the shoulders and therefore a tad wider contact than the 195 would indicate. However it would seem at the moment that GSD2s, T1Rs and R888s are all presently made of unobtanium despite what various websites may say. Toyo don't have any in the depot and neither do Goodyear. Don't know what I'm going to do now. The car is off the road pending MoT/new tyres. Hope I can get something sorted by Silverstone :(

26/02/2011 05:19:51 Tim Tim have you tried [URL="http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m12b99s0p0"]http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m12b99s0p0[/URL] I've got 888 on 'the other car' and have to say that they're fantastic. Interesting in the wet but not impossible so booted on a second set of rims would be sensible. Tim

21/03/2011 21:20:24 NigelS I have just started down the R888 route having bought a set of alloys which I am refurbing now. I bought my tyres from the following dealer: [URL="http://www.tyredrive.co.uk/search.php?section=0&profile=0&rim=16&speed=0&tyre_brand=Toyo&submit=SEARCH"]http://http://www.tyredrive.co.uk/search.php?section=0&profile=0&rim=16&speed=0&tyre_brand=Toyo&submit=SEARCH[/URL] they also have a shop on ebay and are showing 195/50/16 as available here: [URL="http://www.tyredrive.co.uk/search.php?section=0&profile=0&rim=16&speed=0&tyre_brand=Toyo&submit=SEARCH"]http://http://www.tyredrive.co.uk/search.php?section=0&profile=0&rim=16&speed=0&tyre_brand=Toyo&submit=SEARCH[/URL] haven't driven my car with the R888's on yet as I have only finished two of the wheels, but they will be getting their first outing on the track at Castle Coombe in June (fingers crossed). Good luck with getting hold of some - they look like really awesome tyres!

22/03/2011 07:51:08 Tim Guy I eventually got hold of a set with one day's grace before Silverstone yesterday. Don't believe the websites that say they have them in stock; phone to check. For the record, I was persuaded to try 225/40/16 rear and 195/50/16 front but as soon as the first rear was on the rim and offered up to the car, it was clear that it was going to rub when the suspension was compressed. I managed to swap them over within a couple of days for 195/50s. The 888 has squarer shoulders, so comparing it's 195 width to the 215 on the GSD-2s, there's not as much difference in the tread contact as the numbers might suggest. You're hardly loosing any effective width. The 10mm (4%) increased radius did cause some slight rubbing at the front on full lock but hopefully nothing that a hot air gun on the plastic wheel liners won't sort. Contrary to what I had been advised beforehand, I found it necessary to [B]increase[/B] pressures by 2-3 PSI over my previous track norm to get a consistent temperature across the tread and stop the shoulders feathering - maybe because of the nominal 10% reduction in carcass width - dunno???. Thanks Trevor for the loan of your temperature measuring gizmo :) As to performance - we had a nice dry day at Silverstone - but I don't think I was brave enough to increase my entry speed sufficiently to fully explore their capability. Certainly I had no 'moments' at all and the car felt very well planted putting power down after the apex - a definite improvement. Oh - and I did notice on the drive up, that the 4% bigger diameter tyre had put my speedo right compared with GPS :lol: [B]Now, confession time[/B] (and excuses too). My wheels have normally been on the car a while and I don't generally check wheel nuts before the first session. I do check after that session and periodically throughout the day to see if the increased heat has loosened anything. However when changing wheels immediately before a track day, this doesn't apply. Despite having no problems on the 125 mile drive up, I noticed a slight vibration and rumble on the second pace lap. Coming off early found the front left 1/4 turn loose !!!!! There's a lesson in there somewhere. .

23/03/2011 19:49:24 Trevor Leighton [b]Tims Confession Time.[/b] [quote=Tim Guy]I eventually got hold of a set with one day's grace before Silverstone yesterday. Don't believe the websites that say they have them in stock; phone to check. For the record, I was persuaded to try 225/40/16 rear and 195/50/16 front but as soon as the first rear was on the rim and offered up to the car, it was clear that it was going to rub when the suspension was compressed. I managed to swap them over within a couple of days for 195/50s. The 888 has squarer shoulders, so comparing it's 195 width to the 215 on the GSD-2s, there's not as much difference in the tread contact as the numbers might suggest. You're hardly loosing any effective width. The 10mm (4%) increased radius did cause some slight rubbing at the front on full lock but hopefully nothing that a hot air gun on the plastic wheel liners won't sort. Contrary to what I had been advised beforehand, I found it necessary to [B]increase[/B] pressures by 2-3 PSI over my previous track norm to get a consistent temperature across the tread and stop the shoulders feathering - maybe because of the nominal 10% reduction in carcass width - dunno???. Thanks Trevor for the loan of your temperature measuring gizmo :) As to performance - we had a nice dry day at Silverstone - but I don't think I was brave enough to increase my entry speed sufficiently to fully explore their capability. Certainly I had no 'moments' at all and the car felt very well planted putting power down after the apex - a definite improvement. Oh - and I did notice on the drive up, that the 4% bigger diameter tyre had put my speedo right compared with GPS :lol: [B]Now, confession time[/B] (and excuses too). My wheels have normally been on the car a while and I don't generally check wheel nuts before the first session. I do check after that session and periodically throughout the day to see if the increased heat has loosened anything. However when changing wheels immediately before a track day, this doesn't apply. Despite having no problems on the 125 mile drive up, I noticed a slight vibration and rumble on the second pace lap. Coming off early found the front left 1/4 turn loose !!!!! There's a lesson in there somewhere. .[/quote] Yes Tim, Iv'e been told that as you get older you're supposed to check youre nuts more regular. Cheers Trevor.:)

23/03/2011 19:58:40 Martin C [quote=Trevor Leighton]Yes Tim, Iv'e been told that as you get older you're supposed to check youre nuts more regular. Cheers Trevor.:)[/quote] Isn't that Frans job :confused: ....... :eek: ....... :p ....... :D