Does anyone have experience with a new Bridgestone tire RE 01 R ?

A few of us have been using them for autocross with rave reviews. I've got a set stacked up in my garage, but I have yet to drive on them.

Hopefully MattR, MikeK, and nKoan can chime in, as they're currently racing on 'em. From what I've heard, they're better than the RE070s (stock STi tires) and the Azeniz 615's (current best bang for the buck max-performance tire) in handling, noise, and wet performance. Plus they're cheaper than the 070's too IIRC.

Several around here, and the only knock is that they need to be scrubbed in to be sticky. Other than that, those who've tried them love 'em.

It's not so much needing to be scrubbed in... you just gotta get the mold release compound off 'em, which is really just a matter of driving a few miles as opposed to actually heat-cycling/scrubbing like you would on an R-compound.

I think this came up simply 'cause MattR went straight from the mounting machine to the track and was sliding all over the place as the tires cleaned up.

I think it really is pretty much a wash between the RE070, RE01 and 615s. A new set of any of them will beat a moderately used set of the other. The 615s are still the best bang for the buck, but just barely since they are mail order from Salt Lake but the RE01s can be picked up locally but you pay tax.

As a a side note, if they are going to be your only set of tires it's not a great time of year to be buying max performance summer tires as they will be marginal in the wet and terrible in the snow compared to an all-season on the streets.

I have a set of them on my Mustang. And I can't complain one bit.

I autocrossed on them all year and I prefer them to the RE-070s and the Azenis 615s. After a whole season they have more than half the tread left, which is more than I can say for my previous choices.

On the street, they are also very quiet compared to the other two, and recently we raced in the rain and they were amazing there too. As long as you don't ever plan on letting them see snow, I highly recommended them.

Yeah, I think they are great for autocross. Just as sticky (if not stickier) than the 615s or RE070s I've used, but quieter and softer.

The only thing I'm unsure about is the treadlife. Having only had them on for a few months (and only for autocrossing) I can't comment on street life, but my gut tells me they'll have a short lifespan on the street.

I'd be careful about street use in heavy rain. We ran on very well crowned taxiways and runways. I think standing water that is common on streets/highways would be more than any of these max performance dry tires can handle without significant risk of hydroplaning at speed.

I mirror what MikeK is saying anout them, and I'm noticing they are actually improving as they enter their "midway" point in tread life. I have slightly less time on them than MikeK, but the performance has only improved. They also seem to hold up to heat pretty well, but I haven;t had them on the track yet.

And they're on special at Tire Rack right now.

AutoX is over for the year and mine still look great. I am going to use them again next season.

Do you guys run them on the street too or just for AutoX?

I know Nick swaps and I am assuming Matt does but what about you Mike?

Mike runs them all the time on the STi, but he doesn't drive his STi all the time.

Over? Autocross season is just starting down here!

Shush.

From experience, I'd say that wishing I could autocross for 6 months while the weather's crappy FAR outwieghs living on the surface of the F*ing SUN!!!

Don't exaggerate, its more like Venus than the Sun.
Where else can you use your old Hoosiers as street tires?

I drive to and from stead on them, but I usually take the time to swap them for out of town events.