does anyone have any good experience with autoXing on R compounds in cold weather. i was just curious if running moderately worn perf. street tires would be better or worse than running an R tire that would most likely not have much chance to warm up on an autoX course. does anyone go by any sort of guideline such as not runnng R's when it isnt going to be above 40° or something like that?? i'm trying to decide what to run this weekend.

Tom

 

I would go with the street tires. Last time I did a Philly winter series event when it was about 30-35 degrees, FTD was Eric Kriemelmeyer on his street tires. I was on fairly new Kumho Victoracers.

Once upon a time at a December Blue Ridge Region autocross in Roanoke, at one of our old lots (WB Clements), FTD was attained on street tires with a Mustang. I was in a similarly prepped Mustang on BFG R1s, and I just couldn't get them warm enough to stick.

Karen

 

The Hoosier Bias-Ply "Autocrosser" tires are the absolute best cold weather tire I've seen. They just don't seem to care how cold it is. But when it gets hot out, the Radials are faster.


FWIW, The new Kumho V700's don't like cold weather autocross with 20-25 minutes between runs. I used them for the first time last Sunday and looped all of my runs.



[Modified by johng, 4:03 PM 1/23/2002]

 

Go with street tires in cold weather. R compound tires are typically unpredictable when cold and are often times much slower until they get heat into them (read long runs and short breaks between them).

I ran our last local in an STS car and managed to easily beat 90% of the entrants, mostly due to better traction because of street tires in the cold temperatures.

 

well, since it looks like it is going to be super nice around here for a saturday in january (sunny and 50° in philly) i am still pretty tempted to run the R's despite all advice to run street tires. 50° is much better than 35°-40°. i guess i'll have to see how i do.

tom