Okay, track gurus...

A few weeks ago, driving the R from the hotel back to the track (Grattan), I got a flat tire in one of my RA-1 track tires. It appears to be due to a nail in one of the circumferential tread grooves in the middle of the tread width.

I know that, as some people are advising me, the absolutely safest thing to do is to throw out the tire. However, money doesn't grow on trees, and if it's possible to salvage the tire, I'd like to do so. My thoughts were that maybe I could get away with getting a combination plug-patch put in (safer than a plug or a patch) and then use the tire on the track but only on the rear of the car, which doesn't do all that much work anyway.

Opinions, anyone?

 

If it goes down in a session, it could still cause you to lose control..

I'm of the opinion that you should replace it..

 

Ken I can't even believe you asked this. Someone ban this man. No seriously though I would replace it. Although money doesn't grow on tree's neither do Ken's.

 

if your life is worth less than a 100-200 bucks, then sure patch her up and go hit the track,

 

I have had two of my street tires repaired before. Had a nail, in the tread and had it professionally patched, with the rubber gooey thing slid through and cut to the surface of the tread. I've actually had this done twice and the last time it happened I did two HPDEs on that set (the time before only did one HPDE with the patch). I always kept that tire in the rear though, didnt have any problems leaking air pressure and whatnot, but this was on street tires, not R compounds.

 

Patched would be better then plugged IMHO.
less chance of it being spit out, but I have had both types on street tires and never had a problem, EVER.

Save money, if you track your car as often as you say I'm sure you will notice if a tire gets low on air and will have the smarts to pit out before it puts you in a bad situation.

 

I've patched track tires before. Costs me $20-$25 at a tire shop and never had a problem.

 

I tried patching a Hoosier that I used for autocross. Kept it on the rear and it didn't hold.

 

I think you would be ok patching. Of course the safest answer is to get a new tire, but patch should hold up.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mugen Mike &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I tried patching a Hoosier that I used for autocross. Kept it on the rear and it didn't hold.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ouch

Ken,

I took an RA1 tire to Frisby in the same condition. Perfect puncture, right in the middle, we decided to replace it anyway.

As much of a friggin BEACON of safety I am, I would advise you to do the same, maybe if you're lucky find 1 used tire for sale.

-Chris

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chris F &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ouch </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, fawking tailgaters and their obsession with breaking bottles in parking lots.