Hi Brian,
Your advice helped me big time when I began autocrossing again in 2007 after a 37-year hiatus. Back for more: I'm considering the Toyo R1R for dual autocross/street use. I've been doing a Google search for reviews/experience, and several state the tire MUST be shaved or else it impersonates a big marshmallow. If true, that would seriously cripple it's already meager treadlife. Other autocrosser accounts say nothing at all about the need to shave it down. What's your opinion?
Ron
P.S. - For full disclosure, my plan was to use the R1R's only for autocrossing originally, and then when my street Eagle D1's give out, to replace them with the "used" R1R's and buy another set of R1R's for autocross use only initially. Rinse, repeat, etc.