Beginner, intermediate and experienced track day-goers give us their feedback on the Proxes R1R.
Last week Toyo Tires invited 40 Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ enthusiasts to Sydney Motorsport Park’s South Circuit. Participation in the Super Sprint format track day was free for anyone running Toyo Proxes T1 Sport, Proxes R1R or Proxes R888.
The idea? Give these 86 nuts a controlled environment to push the potential of their vehicles and their ability, and put their ultra-high performance Toyo Proxes to the test.
In five groups, drivers were given 20-minute sessions to record the fastest time possible, building to the final shoot-out to find the top Proxes performer.
With plenty of competitors breaking in their Proxes R888s and gluing themselves to the track around corners, the Proxes R1R shone with beginners and experienced drivers on stock and modified packages.
BEGINNER
An Tan testing his lateral grip.
Competitor An Tran owns a proudly standard Subaru BRZ. With a simple upgrade from the OE tyre to Proxes R1R An said the tyre transformed the car from his previous track outings.
“I did a skid pan and a Marulan track day on the OE tyre. The car was really tail-happy. It felt loose around corners with no grip. The R1R had so much grip, I was much more confident in the car,” he said.
“The Proxes R1R enhanced the car’s positives and reduced its negatives. I could attack the corners more. It was my first track day so I only ran a slow 1:15, but when I handed the car over to a more experienced driver he pulled a 1:10 – that’s fast!”
An (right) won his group.
After six intense track sessions, and three weeks of daily driving on Sydney’s worst roads, An is very happy with his Proxes and is planning more motorsport.
“There is still plenty of meat left. I am driving on bumpy roads every day but the R1R makes hardly any noise, even compared to the OE tyre. I was really surprised! I have a great base to start doing more motorsport and I will be doing more track days for sure.”
Toyo's technical manager adjusts Ans tyre pressure mid-session.
INTERMEDIATE
Joe Kanitz's 86.
Coming over from a similarly positioned tyre Joe Kanitz’s Fuji Red and carbon fibre 86 pulled a 1:10 that saw him into the final shoot-out among drivers shod with semi-slicks and forced induction.
With stock suspension, a big brake kit up front and Proxes R1R’s, Joe’s results from the day have inspired him to chase trophies.
“Mate, it’s an amazing tyre. My first time out I ran a 1:10.7. Compared with the previous tyre these outperform in grip way more. I beat the tyres hard. Lateral grip was phenomenal, corner entries are a lot nicer, and if I want to drive from home, go to the track to bang out a couple of laps and then drive home, it’s the perfect tyre.
“Even yesterday I was caught in one of those light showers that make the road oily but they were so stable in the rain. I love them. It feels like it always has grip, and I feel comfortable taking turns at higher speeds.”
Joe’s future looks to be a lot more motorsport-focused.
“I'm going to take it more seriously. I like the possibility of winning something. I can see myself going out to the track a lot more. After six 20-minute sessions, I have 90 per cent of the tyre left!
“They improved the positives of 86. The slightly bigger tyre gives you a bit more stability and keeps its off-traction control which increases the driving speed, especially for a beginner.”
EXPERIENCED
Daniel Griffin on the hunt.
Laying down a hot 1:07.01 around the tight South Circuit, Daniel Griffin was also on Proxes R1R. This wasn’t his first experience with the tyre.
“The first time I used R1Rs at a track day was on SMSP’s Grand Prix circuit in a rainstorm. In a stock 86 I danced around everyone else while they were sliding around and going into walls and ran a 1:56.”
Daniel didn’t stop there, intent on getting every inch out of the R1Rs.
“On the same tyres I did track days every six months, at North Circuit, Marulan and Wakefield, as well as 35,000 kilometres of regular driving.”
“They have great balance. They’re very grippy when they’re cool. To get good lap times I do a warm up lap, two flying laps and push ‘em really hard, and go in when the performance drops off.
“The R1Rs are a perfect match for the 86, absolutely. R1R remedies the stock issue of sliding around in the wet. Good tyres are the single best upgrade you can make.”
Get more information on the Proxes R1R and locate a dealer near you here.
