Tires - Racing and Other

[SchmidtAl]

I just got back from buying a set of Toyo RA-1s from Radial Tire Company in Silver Spring, MD. Paul there was recommended as someone who knows racing tires by Brian Garfield's dad (Brian is the SCCA Autocross instructor and his dad had a dealership and actually sold Cobras in the 60s) Anyway, Paul recommended the Toyo RA-1s also, told me the size he would recommend and everything. He understands racing etc. Their prices are good, same as you would get on the internet anywhere and for racers, the mounting and balancing was only $8.50 a tire. There was the usual MD environmental fee of $.80 per tire plus tax. They appear to be a very popular dealer from the number of people and cars there. AND, they give great customer service. I had dropped one wheel and scratched it. I had actually gotten the wheels mounted and had put them in the car. When I went to pay for them, Paul said they would fix the scratch, he went out to my car, got the wheel back our, took it in, the tech pulled the tire off, buffed the scratch out, remounted the tire, re-balanced it --- all for nothing. I was in awe.  They have a good stock of tires, autocross and racing. The Toyos were in stock.

Everything about this dealer is first class. Again, this is Radial Tire Company, 9101 Brookville Road, Silver Spring, MD. Their phone number is (301) 585-2740. Ask for Paul if you have racing tire questions. I highly recommend them.
 
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[SchmidtAl]

Just to update this -- One of my Toyo's blew out last fall. I took the two rear tires to Radial Tire Co and bought a new one to replace the bad tire. He replaced the bad tire, shaved it to match the worn one and balanced it all for the price of the tire and a balance ($10). Paul is a great guy to deal with, in fact he is the only one who deals with race tires.

Make sure you have time to wait however as Paul is always busy so you may end up waiting a bit to talk to him.

While at Radial Tire, I got to talk to the Toyo rep and he mentioned their new R888 coming out in June 2007 (he thought). It has the good characteristics of the RA1 but is more agressive, more of a slick, so may not be as "drive to and from the event" friendly. It may be more of a direct competitor for the V710. He said it would come in bigger sizes than the RA1.

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[SchmidtAl]

1/16/08
I visited with Paul at Radial Tire in Silver Spring, MD today to discuss a group tire buy. He said margins vary on different brands of tires and different sizes so it is difficult to give a set deal. He said he would beat Tire Rack prices out the door and if you buy from him, you have someone locally to come back to if you have a problem. Just go in and ask to talk to Paul, tell him you are with the Capital Area Cobra Club. Their standard mount and balance for racing tires is $10 per tire which can’t be beat. They can also balance your tires on your car.

Radial Tire is located at 9101 Brookville Road in Silver Spring. Their number is (301) 585-2740. Ask for Paul, he is the race tire specialist.