Apex wheels ordered. Positive experience thus far.

[Ewheels]

Do you have any data, lap time comparisons between the 2 ?
Can’t find anything recent on the web

The Grassroots Motorsports tire chart has them compared but a star rating system is not exactly what you're after.

I think it's going to be hard to find a direct comparison because the NT01 is an endurance tire and the RE71RS is a competition "hero" tire. Not exactly apples to apples.

If it's any indication, the NT01 came out in 2005 while the RE71RS came out in 2022. The NT01 is ancient in terms of tire tech. I'm surprised anyone still uses them.

I've honestly never had anyone question whether which one was faster. That seems to be common knowledge in my experience. I know several people who used to use NT01's and all of them say the NT01 is great for starting out cause they last so long but they're certainly not fast compared to tires of this decade.

For what it's worth, I used to run Toyo RR's which are the same compound as the NT01 but different tread and compared to my current Rival S 1.5 tires, they are 2 seconds slower per lap.

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[jay_larold]

"Ok, now make me feel bad for not going w/19's."

There's a reason most of the actual race cars use 18's. I would go with 18's in a heartbeat for trackwork but unless you use slicks or close to it, there's just not a ton of tire selection out there in that size.

 

[WItoTX]

You made the correct decision on the 18's. I wish I could go down to an 18.

Just my two cents, hold out and buy the RZ. The RS is such a good tire, and the RZ is a second a lap faster. Which means...even if you aren't approaching the limit of grip, if you find yourself in a situation that is less than ideal, you have more margin to work with over the RS.

That said, the RS is soooo good when you over drive them compared to any tire I've ever driven. Incredibly controlled, very forgiving, and handle heat so well, especially as a 1 lap hero tire. A friend bought my used ones for cheap when I went to fresh tires, and he's gotten more laps and more autox runs, out of tires I thought were basically used up, than I could ever have imagined.

 

[SBR70.3]

You made the correct decision on the 18's. I wish I could go down to an 18.

Just my two cents, hold out and buy the RZ. The RS is such a good tire, and the RZ is a second a lap faster. Which means...even if you aren't approaching the limit of grip, if you find yourself in a situation that is less than ideal, you have more margin to work with over the RS.

That said, the RS is soooo good when you over drive them compared to any tire I've ever driven. Incredibly controlled, very forgiving, and handle heat so well, especially as a 1 lap hero tire. A friend bought my used ones for cheap when I went to fresh tires, and he's gotten more laps and more autox runs, out of tires I thought were basically used up, than I could ever have imagined.

I have not ordered the tires yet and I have been reading a lot about the RZ. I am debating it. Not only are they faster, but (allegedly) they are more durable.

If I do go with the RZ, would you recommend the 295/35 or the 315/30 on the 11" wheel. They do not offer a 305.

 

[WItoTX]

I have not ordered the tires yet and I have been reading a lot about the RZ. I am debating it. Not only are they faster, but (allegedly) they are more durable.

If I do go with the RZ, would you recommend the 295/35 or the 315/30 on the 11" wheel. They do not offer a 305.

My experience is, a slightly stretched tire is massively better than a slightly pinched tire. So I would probably do the 295. When I say massively better, it's primarily on turn in. On a pinched tire, the sidewalls will flex more, and that turn in isn't near as crisp as a slightly stretched tire.

I haven't looked at actual width of the RZ yet, but I stay +/- .5" from rim width.

 

[kz]

I have not ordered the tires yet and I have been reading a lot about the RZ. I am debating it. Not only are they faster, but (allegedly) they are more durable.

If I do go with the RZ, would you recommend the 295/35 or the 315/30 on the 11" wheel. They do not offer a 305.

I'm ordering 315s. I used multiple sets of 315 Yoks on 11" Apex wheels which have far softer sidewalls than Bridgestones have had so I think 315 will be fine (and faster than 295).

 

[kz]

"Ok, now make me feel bad for not going w/19's."

There's a reason most of the actual race cars use 18's. I would go with 18's in a heartbeat for trackwork but unless you use slicks or close to it, there's just not a ton of tire selection out there in that size.

? Tire selection for 18" wheel is arguable better than for 19" when it comes to track tires. Has been for a while (19" is close but still less choice and once you go above 19" it used to be a struggle but new offerings like Vitour have decent selection, even in 21" for new Vettes)

 

[Bumzo1]

I have a set of 19x11s with 305/30/19s and a set of 18x11s with 315/30/18s so best of both worlds! It seemed like pre-2020 the 18s had a better selection, then 19s reigned supreme for a few years and now it seems like they are pretty evenly matched on options. I usually put a set of lap attack tires on my 18s and a longer wearing set for HPDEs on the 19s. I just got a free set of Hankook Z214 scrubs that I'm excited to try out for a few track days.

 

[RNM]

Could you post a picture! I am really interested in this size.

 

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[Deadly0ne]

Love my Apex wheels on mine - their customer service and product are top notch. Hopefully I'll run into you at Hallett!

 

[SBR70.3]

Love my Apex wheels on mine - their customer service and product are top notch. Hopefully I'll run into you at Hallett!

I’ll be there every month in 2026. Hope you can make some track days. I need to see more Mustangs out there. Too many Corvettes and BMW’s.

 

[Deadly0ne]

I’ll be there every month in 2026. Hope you can make some track days. I need to see more Mustangs out there. Too many Corvettes and BMW’s.

We'll definitely run into one another then - I usually try to attend the VIP days. And I definitely agree - too many 'Vettes and BMWs that need chasing down.

 

[SBR70.3]

We'll definitely run into one another then - I usually try to attend the VIP days. And I definitely agree - too many 'Vettes and BMWs that need chasing down.

I'd love to do the VIP days, but I have a business to run on Fridays. I went Memorial day last year, but it rained like hell.

 

[SBR70.3]

Picked these up today. I ended up going with the RS because Tire Rack said to RZ in my size is on back order until at least mid-March. Waiting on Steeda camber plates to arrive so I can install those along with the extended studs to make these work. Thank you to Apex for the suggestions!

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