Bridgestone Launches RE-71RZ, Successor To Popular Track Tire RE-71RS
Today Bridgestone announces the launch of RE-71RZ, the hotly anticipated successor to the ever popular RE-71RS tire. The RE-71RS was considered one of the top choices for track tires, and Bridgestone making some bold claims about it’s successor was has seen competition in the 200TW/Super 200 tire space in recent years.
According to Bridgestone of of the significant enhancements the RE-71RZ has include:
- New Performance Compounds: Features a new rubber compound utilizing insights and technology cultivated from motorsports and NanoPro-Tech technology to enhance performance at the molecular level. The compound uses engineered particles of silica and polymer to deliver superior grip on both dry and wet surfaces, compared to the previous model.
- New Tread Pattern: The newly developed pattern maximizes road contact and groove efficiency. Slick shoulders increase block rigidity, while wide straight inner grooves enhance water evacuation, to achieve high levels of grip and improved wear resistance on the track.
- Unique Structure: Using ULTIMAT EYE, a unique digital modeling tool to refine the tire’s structure and profile, the contact area of the tire is more uniform, providing higher grip during cornering.
Bridgestone’s press release expects the following benefits of the new RE-71RZ over the RE-71RS. Needless to say a claimed 3/4 of a second improvement in lap times would be impressive. Improved wear is another area that will be welcome.
- Faster Track Times: Outpacing the previous generation Potenza RE-71RS tire, the Potenza RE-71RZ tire achieves a .74 second faster dry track lap time and .75 second faster wet track lap time in head-to-head testing on the world-famous Tsukuba Circuit.
- Responsive Steering: Excellent handling and precision are achieved through the Potenza RE-71RZ tire’s design, featuring a stiffer tread pattern and a larger outside shoulder (compared to the RE-71RS tire) to maximize grip and stability from the street to the track.
- Enhanced On-Track Wear Life: By leveraging a redesigned tread pattern with the main groove on the inside edge, the Potenza RE-71RZ tire helps suppress uneven wear compared to the Potenza RE-71RS tire.
Per Bridgestone, the tire is already approved for 2026 competition for SCCA Solo (Autocross) and Time Trials. Which is welcome news for early adapters.
Ready for competition, the Potenza RE-71RZ tire meets all requirements for the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and will be eligible for competition use in 2026 for Solo and Time Trials.
Finally, per the release the new tire will be available in 45 sizes and will go on sale in the North American market on December 31, 2025. Popular tire sites are already listing the tire for backorder sales.
Photo courtesy of Bridgestone.
