2019 Mazda Miata Competition Tire Test #1 - Are Old Worn 225 RE71R's Faster Than Old But Fresh 205s?

The 2021 racing season is finally getting underway which means it’s time for some tire testing to prepare for the SCCA National events coming up soon. But before I test some new 200TW competition street tires its time for one last event on my trusty yet well worn Bridgestone RE-71R's.
In this test we will find out whether very worn yet wider 225/45-17's are quicker than skinnier 205-45-17's that are just as old but look almost new.
#Bridgestone #RE71R #tiretest #Mazda #Miata #ND2 #SCCA #autocross #cstreet #stranoparts #funwithcars

[@Prawnleem]

my god your tires last forever! the fronts on my 2013 fiesta st last 3 autocross and less than 2000 street miles! good video btw !

[@nickrd10bk]

Good watch. Thanks for uploading.

[@samkarp3098]

Gives me hope as I have one brand new set and another set with one heat cycle on them. Both bagged since last summer! But I know I’ll need something new for nationals so looking forward to the next video!

[@nickrd10bk]

I'm gonna be at Nats with some bald 2 year old tires with 100+ runs. Should've gotten new tires, but for my size my options are limited, and I'm toying with having wheels custom made to go down 1".

[@richschmitt4621]

Any general idea on when you will post your opinions on the new 200TW tires? I appreciate your videos on the ND Miata. Very good information, with thoughtful explanations. I will be shopping for an ND this spring. Still deciding between a used ND1 or an ND2, to enjoy the rev-ability of the updated engine. But installing a FAB9-tuned Edelbrock supercharger on an 2017-18 ND1 would give it a redline similar to the ND2 engine, only without the ND2 lighter engine internals. I have had a '94 Miata R since 1998, which I'll keep. It has a roll bar, for track days. I know that even a stock ND is much faster than my 1994 NA, but the simple manual steering on the '94 R has better road feel than my ND test drives. Have you ever driven a manual steering NA Miata, to experience what old-school steering feedback is like? Every stone or surface change, or the tiniest tire slippage, sends feedback to the driver. It would be interesting to hear what a national champion autocrosser thinks about the difference it makes in cornering feel: old vs new.

[@aroundomaha]

You read my mind. I've been debating whether to run my aged and worn RE71s or invest in either the 660s or set of Yokahamas. At my skill level I'm not sure the tires will make that much difference but they're 3-4 years old with a lot of runs on them.

[@fastpaxSCR]

3-4 years with lots of runs = likely done...or at least well off pace. They can still work, especially if you get heat into them, but don't expect to win top Pax ;)