Toyo releases new R888R UHP road and track tyre in UK
Japanese tyre manufacturer Toyo Tires has announced the UK launch of its road-legal track tyre, the Proxes R888R. The tyre will be displayed at Autosport International, which begins tomorrow (8 January 2015). The tyre previously made its global debut at the Essen Motorshow in November.
The newly designed tyre, which will eventually replace the bestselling Proxes R888, has been improved in every area, Toyo states. The outgoing design, which will continue in many sizes as the new model rolls in, was a successful all-round tyre, giving exceptional dry grip, but combined with high adhesion levels in wet and cold conditions. Toyo says its status as a Jack of all trades made the R888 the choice of dozens of club championships as control rubber, as well as the go-to solution for many performance car enthusiasts. It was even recognised by a major manufacturer when RenaultSport made it the original equipment on its Megane R26R.
The Proxes R888R aims to fill the big shoes of its predecessor, having been entirely re-engineered to produce better track performance. Like the original R888, the new tyre will remain one of few commercially available tyres that will also surpass the latest tyre labelling regulations, making it legal to use on the road as well as the track. Toyo states that “almost all other manufacturer’s semi-slick tyres produced from [1 November 2014], are fine for the track, but will be illegal to use on the road.”
The ‘GG’ compound of the new tyre is approved for road legality, but Toyo has also engineered the higher-grip ‘SG’ compound to be approved for road use in certain sizes. This compound has been a big seller in sprint and hill climb markets in the past, and is particularly popular with lightweight cars like the Caterham and Westfield.
Produced in 32 sizes initially, the new Proxes R888R boasts a fast warm up time, increased dry grip and sustained performance over multiple laps and heat cycles. A rayon ‘super-high’ turn up ply on some sizes, combined with steel side plies, give the new Proxes R888R more precise steering response and feedback, increasing control and therefore optimising lap times.
In the UK, Toyo performed exhaustive testing of the R888R with BTCC and British GT driver Tom Onslow-Coleprior to sale. These tests benchmarked a wide range of sports and club race cars against the outgoing R888, and what Toyo identified as “the best of the opposition”. The manufacturer has called the results of these tests “highly encouraging”.
Commenting on the new tyre, Toyo UK technical and motorsport director, Alan Meaker said: “The Proxes R888R really is a very complete solution for driving and trackday enthusiasts – as well as serious racers. The new labelling regulations mean that this tyre now stands alone in the market as a competition-quality design that can be legally drive to and from the circuit. This makes it perfect for trackday and club race use. Judging by its improved performance in all areas, we think it will be every bit as popular as its forebear.
