modifications > Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R
Why did you install RE-71R Tires on your RS?
It's sad to say the Hoosiers didn't last that long. I only got 64 autox runs out of them before all (4) pretty much corded and reached the end of their life. When I say the traction fell off, it FELL OFF!
In their place I chose 275/35/18 Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R tires. They are street legal, so I get to drive to the local autox venue. New Orleans is a little further, so I will still bring them in the hatch
and swap them out at the track. This keeps the heat cycles down, which leads to longer tire life.
The RE-71R tires are currently one of -if not the- #1 street legal autox tire out there. I know for a fact they were a helluva lot cheaper than the Hoosier A7 slicks. Only time will tell if I can learn how
to drive my RS all over again with these new tires. What pressures will I run? Do I need to bring a water sprayer to keep the surface temperature down during the summer?
Date Completed:
05/09/19, 01/25/20, 02/28/21
Materials:
- (4) Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R tires, 275/35R18 (local Discount Tire)
- Sweet Tea (optional)
Tools:
None
Tire History:
02/27/21 (Set #3)
- 02/28/21 Autox, 5 runs, Lamar Dixon
- 03/28/21 Autox, 6 runs, Lamar Dixon (FTD)
- 04/18/21 Autox, 6 runs, NOLA Motorsports Park (FTD)
- 04/25/21 Autox, 6 runs, JESTC
- 05/30/21 Autox, 6 runs, Lamar Dixon (FTD)
- 06/13/21 Autox, 6 runs, NOLA Motorsports Park
- 06/27/21 Autox, 4 runs, Cajun Field
- 09/26/21 Autox, 6 runs, JESTC
- 10/30/21 Autox, 6 runs, JESTC
Note: On 11/06/21 after 51 runs to-date, I had the tires dismounted and flipped side to side. Outside edges became inside for longer tire life.
- 11/07/21 Autox, 6 runs, NOLA Motorsports Park
- 11/13/21 Autox, 8 runs, Ike Hamilton Expo Center (FTD)
- 11/14/21 Autox, 8 runs, Ike Hamilton Expo Center
- 11/21/21 Autox, 3 runs, Lamar Dixon
- 12/04/21 Autox, 6 runs, NOLA Motorsports Park (FTD)
- 12/19/21 Autox, 6 runs, Lamar Dixon
- 01/23/22 Autox, 6 runs, Lamar Dixon
(94 runs total)
01/25/20 (Set #2)
- 02/02/20 Autox, 6 runs, NOLA Motorsports Park (FTD)
- 02/23/19 Autox, 6 runs, Lamar Dixon
- 03/08/20 Autox, 6 runs, NOLA Motorsports Park (FTD)
- 06/14/20 Autox, 5 runs, Burton Coliseum (FTD*)
- 06/21/20 Autox, 6 runs, NOLA Motorsports Park
- 07/12/20 Autox, 6 runs, NOLA Motorsports Park (FTD)
- 07/19/20 Autox, 6 runs, Burton Coliseum (FTD*)
- 09/06/20 Autox, 6 runs, NOLA Motorsports Park (FTD)
Note: On 09/26/20 after 47 runs to-date, I had the tires dismounted and flipped side to side. Outside edges became inside for longer tire life.
- 09/27/20 Autox, 6 runs, JESTC
- 10/18/20 Autox, 6 runs, NOLA Motorsports Park (FTD)
- 10/25/20 Autox, 6 runs, Lamar Dixon (FTD)
- 11/15/20 Autox, 5 runs, NOLA Motorsports Park
- 11/22/20 Autox, 6 runs, Lamar Dixon (FTD)
- 12/05/20 Autox, 6 runs, NOLA Motorsports Park (FTD)
- 12/13/20 Autox, 6 runs, JESTC
- 01/17/21 Autox, 6 runs, NOLA Motorsports Park
- 01/31/21 Autox, 3 runs, Lamar Dixon
(97 runs total)
05/09/19 (Set #1)
- 05/26/19 Autox, 6 runs, Lamar Dixon
- 06/08/19 Autox, 6 runs, NOLA Motorsports Park
- 07/21/19 Autox, 7 runs, Cajun Field
- 09/15/19 Autox, 6 runs, Baby Cakes Stadium
- 09/22/19 Autox, 6 runs, Lamar Dixon (FTD*)
- 10/12/19 Autox, 6 runs, NOLA Motorsports Park (FTD)
- 10/13/19 Autox, 6 runs, NOLA Motorsports Park (FTD*)
- 10/20/19 Autox, 8 runs, Ike Hamilton Expo Center (FTD)
Note: On 10/26/19 after 51 runs to-date, I had the tires dismounted and flipped side to side. Outside edges became inside for longer tire life.
- 10/27/19 Autox, 6 runs, Lamar Dixon (FTD)
- 11/16/19 Autox, 8 runs, Ike Hamilton Expo Center
- 11/17/19 Autox, 8 runs, Ike Hamilton Expo Center
- 11/24/19 Autox, 6 runs, Lamar Dixon (FTD)
- 12/01/19 Autox, 6 runs, NOLA Motorsports Park (FTD)
- 12/15/19 Autox, 6 runs, JESTC
- 01/19/20 Autox, 6 runs, Lamar Dixon (FTD)
(97 runs total)
Notes:
1. Discount Tire did the install again.
2. No wiring plugs need to be disconnected/reconnected for this installation.
3. The OEM Focus RS locking lugs can't be used for the Enkei wheels because they are too large in diameter to fit the hole.
4. Torque specs = 100 lb-ft for lug nuts.
*Note: I put anti-seize on my lugs. Reduced my torque to 75 lb-ft (25% reduction due to lubricated threads).
5. Reversible back to stock for street driving. However, these tires ARE street legal.
6. Weights:
(1) OE Ford Performance Forged Wheel, 19x8", 50mm offset + Bridgestone Pilot Super Sport, 235/35R19 = 47.20 lb.
(1) Enkei RPF1, 18x9", 35mm offset + Bridgestone RE-71R, 275/35R18 + Plastic Hub Centric ring = 44.60 lb.
Total weight reduction = 10.40 lb. (4 wheels/tires)
7. If your TPMS light ever comes on for running aftermarket wheels without TPMS sensors, follow the procedure below to reset it.
As seen in picture 11 below, place your factory wheels next to the aftermarket set. It doesn't matter what wheel/tire goes at what corner.
1) Air up the factory tires to 44 psig. Place them next to the aftermarket set.
2) Get in the driver seat with the key. Press the Ignition button once without the clutch depressed to the "ON" position.
3) Push the hazard light button (6) times within 5 seconds. The horn will sound once.
4) The message screen will display "TRAIN LEFT FRONT TIRE".
5) Make sure the Left Front factory wheel/tire is close to the aftermarket one at that corner.
6) Wait until the horn sounds once. I did not need to release any pressure out. Just wait a minute or so.
7) Repeat step (6) for each message, "TRAIN RIGHT FRONT TIRE" *horn*, "TRAIN RIGHT REAR TIRE" *horn*, "TRAIN LEFT REAR TIRE" *horn*.
8) After the horn sounds for the left rear tire, the process is complete.
8. On 07/27/20 I disabled my TPMS using FORScan. Click here for more details.
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