Reaching for Speed

This marvelous wing was developed for serious applications on the circuit.  Designed by J's Racing and manufactured by Voltex, this wing is expected to produce 110lbs of downforce at speeds approximately +60mph.  With the twitchy characteristics of the S2000, this wing makes noticeable difference to tame the rear end and allow the car to be quicker and more stable throughout high-speed corners.

咪以為咁大個定風翼純碎為外觀而設, 其實佢係一個賽道上既必備品!  由日本著名改車商 J's Racing 與 Voltex 合力研發既 GT 尾翼, 佢從風洞測試能係60mph以上既速度產生高達110傍既下壓力!  配上S2000 本身比較 oversteer 既特性,GT尾翼能帶來非常明顯既分別, 特別係中至高速彎!

While the wing is excellent straight from the box, there have been some complaints that the stands are not tall enough to sit parallel to the S2000's roofline, which is expected to be even more beneficial aerodynamically.   It is popular in the States to custom manufacture higher stands, approximately 365mm high.

不過, 對於塞道常客, 可能會嘆息原裝stands不夠高 - 始終定風翼要同車定成水平先至能夠產生最大下壓力.  讀者可嘗試自行配套365mm高既stands!

The only street tires I tried in the past were RT615 and RE01R (shaved 4/32). I will base this comparison to the Bridgestone because they were my most recent set.

由于我只用过RT615 和 RE01R 的街胎， 所以这次会以等级相等的RE01R 跟R1R 作比较。

 
Test Vehicle: 2005 Lotus Elise
Vehicle Weight: ~1900 lbs
Tire: Toyo Proxes R1R shaved to 4/32

测试车辆：2005 Lotus Elise
车重：~1900 磅

First impression when I received them before mounting on rim:
1) Very soft to the touch
2) Soft sidewall compare to RE01R
3) Lighter compare to RE01R

刚受到R1R，安装前的第一个感觉：
1 非常柔软
2 sidewall  RE01R更软
3 比RE01R 更轻

I bought the RE01R already shaved to 4/32 from Tire Rack. The RE01R 225/50/16 shaved to 4/32 tread depth weighs 24.6 lbs. Note: I only weighed the R1R when they were full tread. Full tread depth R1R 225/50/16 weighs 23 lbs. The R1R is lighter is probably due to its softer sidewall

On track experience. I had the R1R shaved to 4/32nd after they were mounted. No sign of squirminess at all. Grip level substantially higher than the RE01R. I think they were even more grippy then the RA-1s. Turn in not as sharp as the BS due to its softer sidewall. I think this trademark for all Toyo tires due to their light weigh construction. But I think the light weigh benefit more than makes up for the lack of fast turn in feel. Reduce unsprung weigh is more important, allowing faster suspension travel thus for better road holding. And ultimately more cornering grip at the limit, as well as greater acceleration and braking performance. The R1R provides a bit less warning at breakaway point. Whereas the BS seems to always communicate the grip limit very clearly. This makes the BS very easy to drive on the limit. Not saying the R1R is harder to control. It just doesn’t offer the direct feedback as the BS does. But due to the R1R’s softer sidewall, the break away is gradual and very easy to make quick adjustment to stay on your path. And in the department of heat, the R1R’s grip level stay very consistent over the entire 20-25 min run session, whereas the RE01Rs will start to be slippery after about 10 – 15 mins into the run session. Overall I think the R1R is a better tire compare to the BS. It is definitely faster!!! I haven’t tried the AD07 yet. I like to heard your feedbacks on them if you have comparison with the R1R or RE01R.

在赛道上给我的感觉非常好。 没有一点不稳的感觉， 比RE01R 的爪地力更强， 也可能比RA1 更强。 大概因为是比较软的softwall， turn-in 的感觉没有RE01R 那么灵敏，不过这相信是由于Toyo轮胎的轻量化结构而形成。 相比重量和灵敏度，我相信R1R 的重量所带来的好处远抵消那一点的不灵敏。毕竟，减少unsprung weight 才是重点， 让避震机行程加快，从而达到更好的爪地力，提升加速和减速力。 用者该留意R1R 在到达 breakaway 给与的 feedback 逊于RE01R 能给的清晰。 但由于 R1R 柔软的sidewall，breakaway算是很温柔逐渐，相配快速的反应和调合，不难控制。R1R的耐热度 可说非常惊人， 用了25分钟R1R的爪地力也维持不变。 相比RE01R，只能维持15 分钟爪地力就慢慢减退。 整体来说，我觉得R1R一定比 RE01R 强。

To add something about the wear pattern:
The R1R wears more on the outside half of the tire. Again I think this is one of the characteristics of Toyo’s light weigh design. Same with RA1s and R888s. If you have them flip on the rim every other track day, you will be able to get very even wear and lots of life on them. The BS wears pretty evenly across the tread pattern.

再谈R1R 的 wear pattern, R1R 的耗损主要集中在外侧。 我相信这都是源于Toyo 轮胎的结构，因为同样的情况也会出现在RA1 和R888上。 只要把轮胎调换就能拉平耗损。

I don’t have any long term experience with the R1R. So I don’t know when they will heat cycle out. The BS I had about 6 full track days on them before they were corded. And I started them shaved to 4/32. I did feel the grip level on the BS dropped noticeably on my last two track days.

可惜跟R1R 没有 long term experience, 不能得悉 heat cycle 后的爪地力。 不过ＲＥ０１Ｒ　在６个ｔｒａｃｋｄａｙ　后就破掉了。ＲＥ０１Ｒ　在破掉前两个ｔｒａｃｋｄａｙ的爪地力明显下降了。

Some information courtesy of Mackin Industries and Maxrev.
特別鳴謝 Mackin Industries 同 Maxrev 提供既資料:

RAYS, established in 1973, is the premier Japanese manufacturer of high end wheels for both motorsports and street use.  The CE28N is the second lug nut type racing wheel, designed for pure lightweight and rigidity.

建立於1973, RAYS 係日本既頂級輪圈製做商.  RAYS 參與不同賽車運動, 而CE28N 正係RAYS 開發既第二個 lug nut 型競賽輪圈, 以輕量同剛硬為主.

Material is 6061 aircraft grade aluminum. This material is hot forged. 1st forging process is done with pressure of 5,000 kilograms per square centimeter. 2nd forging process is a slow process with 3,500 kilograms per square centimeter.

CE28N 係以 6061 航空級鋁金屬, 透過5000kg/cm^2 同 3500kg/cm^2 超高壓力而鍛做而成既1piece 輪圈. 

The lip is also forged to 3,500 kilograms per square centimeter. This allows the wheel to have less material than other wheels, but have more strength and durability.

圈邊同樣係以3500kg/cm^2高壓力鍛做而成, 為輪圈帶來同樣既硬度而不犧牲輕量性

The wheel's excess material is machined off (to tolerance of 1/100 of a millimeter). Powder coating and clear coating is done by a special proprietary process to ensure long lasting quality and durability.

It does not take an expert to tell that these wheels are of top quality.  The finish is excellent, and what will definitely surprise is its lightweight.  Without tires, each wheel weighs next to nothing.  Even with tires, they weigh around the same as stock S2000 17" wheels without tires!  This is a great advantage to circuit driving as the reduced unsprung weight will greatly benefit the car's acceleration, braking and handling abilities!

An added benefit to owning these aftermarket wheels is the ability to increase track width, therefore fitting wider tires to improve handling capabilities.   Track proven in Japan, it is popular for S2000 drivers and tuners to fit on non-staggered 255 tires all around as it provides better braking control, sharper turn-in as well as virtually no low-speed understeer and very little high-speed understeer.  Experienced drivers who are able to freely and comfortably control weight distribution will definitely favor this setup; beware novice drivers as this will tend to be more susceptible to the S2000's snappy rear end.

For those looking to have a non-staggered setup with 17*9 sized wheels, note:
注意:

1.  You must increase camber to prevent rubbing, preferably lower the car with suspension to gain more mechanical camber
一定要增加camber而避免摩擦, 最好透過避震low低車身再增加camber

2.  It is strongly suggested that a stiffer suspension (e.g. with higher spring rates) is equipped on the car to prevent rubbing under load;
非常建議運用一套更硬既避震 (或者更硬既彈弓) 黎避免過彎產生既load讓輪胎磨擦車身

3.  Alignment must be redone to optimize toe and ride height and reduce chances of high-speed oversteer.
一定要做alignment 來改變toe 同 ride height, 從而避免不必要既 high-speed oversteer

4.  It is strongly recommended to roll/flare fenders, or change to wider fenders to prevent chances of rubbing.
非常建議 roll/flare fenders, 或者改成 wide fender 避免摩擦

5.  It is unlikely that the rear will rub unless running aggressive offsets anything other than +63.  +63 is the most conservative offset for front and rear on S2000.
+63 offset 會係最保守, 基本上後輪吾可能會摩擦