What do tires have to do with how a car drives and handles? EVERYTHING!

Our everyday driver is a terrific BMW 335i sedan. We wrote a previous story about the car and how it was to drive on-track. Perhaps the most unimpressive part of the car was the Bridgestone run-flat tires. Note: was! Driven hard on a race track the tires just suck!  Sorry Bridgestone guys-they do!

The terrific guys at Nitto were kind enough to provide us with a set their tires. WHAT A DIFFERENCE! The difference was noticeable as soon as we left the tire shop. The ride quality of the car was instantly better, but, it wasn’t until we had the opportunity to track the car again that the difference was truly revealed.

The level of grip that these tires from Nitto provide is light years beyond what the car came with as standard issue. What became an ice skating ring with the ol’ Bridgestone’s, once tire temps came up, was now confidence inspiring and predictable. The car was “transformed” to what it should have been when it left the dealership.

A few weeks ago we also had the chance to race on Nitto’s, for the first time at the NASA six hour endurance race at Button willow Raceway. Running on a bit of a budget (hell, we had no money at all) we had only one set of tires to last the weekend. Rich Elliot decided to leave the tires at full tread depth, rather than having them shaved, in hopes of getting more life out of them. So, for Friday’s practice, Saturday’s warm-up, qualifying and the race itself, we had but one set of rubber.

The tires were awesome! About one half hour after the start, the tires started to go away, it was hot out there, but they came back and were fantastic for the balance of the race. Unfortunately we lost a cylinder head gasket about 3 hours in, running 8^th overall, in a car that should never have been that competitive. We heard that it may have had something to do with the driver J and the tires!

We had always raced on Toyo’s and were convinced that they were the tire for the job. Nitto, a sister company to Toyo, does however manufacture a very competent tire indeed. Needless to say, we were impressed with the performance level of the tires and would strongly recommend their use to anyone.

OK, so we understand the safety aspect of run-flat tires and yes; on the street they are far more than adequate. If however, you plan on taking your car to a real race track and drive it to its absolute limits (the ONLY place one should) stop and get a set of Nitto’s first; you’ll be glad you did.

Most importantly we want to thank Nitto for providing us with these great tires; we love ‘em! Thanks guys!

O.C.C.E