Race tires - odd size

[BS1]

I'm looking for AX/race tires in a funny size: 205/45-17 (stock) or 205/40-17. It seems that Kumho has discontinued their V700 in the 205/40-17, and the new Hoosier won't be availble until August. No one makes a 215/45-17 either.

A 225/45-17 is offered by several makers, but they wont fit my '01 Protege MP3 (Randy's old car). I did find that Toyo makes the RA1 in a 205/40-17; does anyone know who sells them? Are they any good?

Any help would be appreciated -

Barry

[pinhead]

The latest tirerack ad in GRM still lists a 205/40/17 Ecsta V700, although your info is probably more current than a magazine ad.

If you're willing to bend over, there is a Pirelli P Zero Corsa listed in the same ad in a 215/45/17, but it's $221/each :barf:

Also the Hoosier R3s03 looks like it's available in 205/40/17, but that's the harder "road race" compound. It's a relative bargain compared to the Pirelli, though, at only$188 each.

One of my friends back in MI just put R compound tires on his MazdaSpeed Protege. Does that have the same size wheels as yours? I can find out what he's using if that will help.

Nice car, by the way. I like the MP3 and MazdaSpeed Proteges a lot.

[miata#37]

What I've heard about the Toyo RA-1 is that it really needs to be shaved to become fast, but even then it's not very competetive with the Hoosiers and not any quicker than the victoracers. It does hold up well to repeated heat cycling and track use however. I've also heard that full tread RA-1's make GREAT performance street tires.

[Jeremy Engel]

The RA-1s are a great tire. The ones I had on the 2 only got good after a few autoxs. The ones on dads Esprit are like 5 years old, bald and I still peck at FTD. The tire may not be as good as hoosier and the like, but there are only a handful of drivers that will be able to show you the difference.

BTW, the RA-1s are the only tire that you can get with 1/4inch tread depth...awesome for the street.

my $.02

[BS1]

Thanks for the info on the Toyos. It seems there are no good street tires in this size (205/45-17 or 215/45-17) either. The tirerack 'expert' told me that using a non-competition tire in a 40 series profile (a 205/40-17)would ensure its destruction after one event...apparently the weaker sidewalls can't take the loading. Any other opinions on this?

[rdub]

I just ordered 205-40-17 v700s Barry,they got um on hand at tire rack
just takes 2 days to get them in the "shaving que" if thats how you want them.
Toyos are a compromse as a race tire as well as everything else,other than
Kumhos and Hoosiers which are still the only tires to WIN on at this point.