14" tires - Nitto NT01?

So here's the situation. I have a remarkably clean '92 Jetta that I got for $800. I want to autocross occasionally, like 4-6 per year. I have a set of 14" rims that need tires. I don't want the expense of new rims. I found some 205-55-14 NT01's for $125 each shipped, new. I know I won't be in a winning state of talent or tune, and I've heard that these tires are better suited to track work. Here's the question. In an autocross, would these be at least as good as the top street tires? I'm thinking they'd slot in somewhere between the top ST tires and the true autocross tires like V710's etc, both in life expectancy, and grip. True or not? The car will get some GC coils on Koni's that are in my garage, and likely a rear sway, but otherwise stock.

I autocrossed my Miata on NT-01s. I really liked those tires, but their primary role was for the track. They are very good at full tread. They will not last as long as regular street tires, if you're planning to DD on them.

I would say they gripped better than any street tires I'd used, but I never any of the top street tire crop. I suspect you're right about being between the top ST tires and real auto-x rubber. You'll probably find them closer in performance to the street tires though. Say...

ST - - - DOT-R - - - - - - - Auto-X

Also, I normally autocrossed with the Porsche Club, and they ran a 1+1 lap format (warm-up and hotlap), so the R-compounds got a good chance to come up to heat.

I'd agree with the assessment - they're slow for R-comps, but they're still faster than street tires. I run the 205/55-14 on my Locost in an RA-1, works pretty well in autox. Better than the 195/60-14 Azenis ever did.

The Nitto's should be close in performance to Toyo RA1s/R888s,

For autox they'll be OK on longer courses when you can get some heat into them, but won't grip as well as V710s or A6s, but they'll wear like iron compared to the soft rubber.

Nitto NT-01s are my very favorite "street friendly"* R-compound tires. They last a long time, and offer plenty of grip for a local autocross.

• "Street Friendly" is a very relative term.

We need a name for the NT-01/RA1/R888 triplets. R compounds that can be driven on the street, as opposed to "DOT legal" R compounds that can't be driven for more than 60 seconds at a time.

Street Friendly (tm) works for me.

Keith wrote: We need a name for the NT-01/RA1/R888 triplets. R compounds that can be driven on the street, as opposed to "DOT legal" R compounds that can't be driven for more than 60 seconds at a time. Street Friendly (tm) works for me.

Street Friendly - R Compounds: SF-R ?

They are popular here, along with the toyo's as some of the clubs tires rules make the traditional R compound tires undesirable. The Nitto's do quite well. I think they'd be a worthy investment. I'd own a set now, if they made a size that suited me.

doc_speeder wrote: I found some 205-55-14 NT01's for $125 each shipped, new.

Hmm.. .unless you are really looking for a auto-x or track-specific R-comp tire, why not a 195/60-14 Star Spec? Slightly cheaper too, at $95 ea. from Tire Rack.

In reply to Ian F:

Yeah, I thought of those. I just ordered the Nittos. I guess cause I've never had a "brand new" set of R's, and the price is pretty good. I have another set of rubber to put on for road trips, but for DD, I'll try the Nittos. I'm not likely going to be terribly competitive, but I like the idea of having more grip than the best street tires, just from a fun perspective, and not necessarily having to change tires to autocross.

I would not DD them but I drive my Nitto's to the autocross and back. After two partial auto-x seasons and about 1000 street miles they are getting to the point where I would not want to drive home in the rain.