I'm kinda itchin' to get one of these. But in all my years around race cars, I can't remember ever seeing one actually used. Do any of you regularly use a durometer as part of your race tire management system?

Or is it just another tool I don't need that'll take up space in the tool box until the day I lend it to someone and immediatly forget who?

 

Wow, I had to look it up John...

It tests the hardness of the tires, the rubber compund gets harder as it ages and goes through heat cycles right?

I would say that you don't *need* it, you have a good idea of how many heat cycles your tires will go through before they are toast, and just keep track of how long they are sitting in your garage.

I guess it could be used kinda' like a pyrometer when your tires are hot, it will tell you how sticky they are.

Just like a grocery store, rotate your stock so your tires don't get too old.

Since you just went pro (according to your accountant ) you are puting in a large race effort.

How many sets of rims and tires do you have?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B18C5 EH &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">How many sets of rims and tires do you have?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Between 12-16 rims. Not sure how many are good at the moment. I like to get used tires from other racers with more money and better accountants than me. So evaluating tires that I haven't had since new is part of my thinking...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by thawley &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Between 12-16 rims. Not sure how many are good at the moment. I like to get used tires from other racers with more money and better accountants than me. So evaluating tires that I haven't had since new is part of my thinking...</TD></TR></TABLE>

That is a good reason...
How much do they go for?

 

$70-80

 

It's another good tool. If you take the durometer data after each session you'll notice a plateau and then a drop-off. Really it will just make you want to get new tires more often.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TeamSlowdotOrg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Really it will just make you want to get new tires more often. </TD></TR></TABLE>
So, if I'm really thinking frugally, maybe I should just buy new tires for every race and save the $70...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by thawley &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
So, if I'm really thinking frugally, maybe I should just buy new tires for every race and save the $70...</TD></TR></TABLE>

John, I have one I let you use at Buttonwillow. Then, you can be the judge as to whether tire composition stiffness is a good tuning/indicator of tire effectiveness.

 

We have one... I use it often! If I actually knew what it was telling me it probably would be a great thing! I guess a high number means the tire is hard? and a low number means it's soft? so what would be considered ideal? taking in to account the air temp. ???
Excuse my ignorance

Kiwi

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by KIWI &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I guess a high number means the tire is hard? and a low number means it's soft? Kiwi</TD></TR></TABLE>

yes, you are correct, sir

 

I don't own one but have borrowed them often. Its a great "first thing to check" if your handling isn't quite what you want it to be.
In other words, check the tires before you adjust the car. Saves alot of pain .

But Rich is right. Not having one is probably the best idea for most of us.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by KIWI &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I guess a high number means the tire is hard? and a low number means it's soft?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Maybe you could check by testing it on something soft that gets hard later on... You know, just to be sure.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by thawley &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Maybe you could check by testing it on something soft that gets hard later on... You know, just to be sure.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Maybe with the switch to spec tires, NASA members will be selling their used durometers since they won't need 'em anymore... after all, Toyo's last forever, right?

Christian

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by thawley &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Maybe you could check by testing it on something soft that gets hard later on... You know, just to be sure.</TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL... I never thought of that... But do you know when you get to be over 50 it stay's harder longer... but perhaps not as often...

Then of course there are always the little blue pills...

'Smiling Bob.'

 

Dammit! that thing's sharp!
Now there blood all over the damn sheets! and I have a reading of 12?


Smiling Bob.

 

It's not really a good test of much. If you get one, walk around and test durometers of various tires attached to racecars, street cars, trailers, RVs, etc. I'll bet good money the softest durometer tires aren't the ones on the racetires

With a single set of tires, it may be worthwhile, but I wouldn't trust it...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by KIWI &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Dammit! that thing's sharp!
Now there blood all over the damn sheets! and I have a reading of 12?


Smiling Bob.</TD></TR></TABLE>

lmao