After extensive testing by the National Auto Sport Association, the Maxxis RC-1 has been chosen as the new spec tire for the NASA Spec E30 series from 2022 to 2024.
The recently updated Victra RC-1 with the new R2 compound succeeded in NASA’s tests by delivering an optimum balance between dry traction, consistency, tire wear, heat resistance, and heat-cycle performance – something NASA racers are always seeking to improve.
“We’re thrilled to be the spec tire to NASA’s Spec E30 series for the next three years,” said John Wu, director of product strategy for Maxxis International – USA. “The Victra RC-1 was designed for the needs of club racing, and everyone at Maxxis can’t wait to see these race-proven tires deliver in this exciting series.”
The Maxxis RC-1 will be permitted in Spec E30 races starting March 1, with all racers required to be on the RC-1 by May 1. Drivers who already have purchased Toyo Proxes RRs in advance of the 2022 season should have no trouble selling their supplies to Spec Miata racers.
The Maxxis RC-1 has a 6/32-inch tread depth, which is 50 percent more than the Toyo Proxes RR. The wet-weather tire, the Maxxis VR-1, has a 9/32-inch tread depth and does not require shaving.
At $703.98 per set, the Maxxis RC-1 costs 22 percent less than the Toyo RR at $907.28. At $551.96 per set, the VR-1 costs less than the Toyo RA1, which is $890.98. That presents a 38 percent savings.
In addition to its existing open-tire contingency program, Maxxis is offering a separate Spec E30 contingency program that awards three tires for first place, two tires for second and one for third-place finishers when there are eight or more starters. With 4 – 7 starters, the program is two free tires for first, one free tire for second, and one free tire for third. Details will be posted on the contingency page on the NASA website.
Drivers involved in the testing found the new compound of the Maxxis tire to be durable over multiple heat cycles and easy to keep within .1 seconds of fastest lap times of the tire it replaces. Drivers reported that the car felt nimbler, more precise, more consistent and easier to drive with the new Maxxis RC-1 tires.
“It felt like it supported the car better. If you compare an E30 to Spec Miata, it’s not as nimble. This tire helped that,” said test driver Tim Barber, who won the 2018 Spec E30 National Championship at Circuit of The Americas, and who owns TFB Performance in Sonoma, Calif. “It felt more responsive and supportive. Having been around spec racing and not only NASA for decades now, I think I understand the big picture of what is healthy for a series, and I think NASA made a good decision. And, usually something that gets compromised to achieve what is actually best for the series is performance, and it didn’t. If anything, over a long run, it helped it. So, it was really a win, win, win.”
NASA will be doing more testing to home in on specific vehicle setup tips and temperatures, and pressures as we continue to work with Maxxis over the next several months.
Tires will be sold online only from the Maxxis website at first, but Maxxis is actively working with trackside servicing tire dealers around the county to establish retail points of sale for Spec E30 competitors.
If you have questions about ordering tires or tire availability, please contact Maxxis directly:
Walter Chen [email protected]
Direct: 909-297-5762
