At my last SCCA event, I felt like I was getting no grip from my tires. So I figured that my tires were just not enough. (Potenza s03) A week later, I went to a non scca autoX where once it is your turn to run, you do four runs, vs waiting for everyone in your class to run once then you go back up for a second. Anyways, the first turn in my first run, I basicly just didn't turn and I took out a few cones. However, after that, my car stuck like glue and had alot of control. After my last run (which was ah, 6 minutes after my first) I felt my tires and they were too hot to touch.

My question is, is there any way to keep my tires hotter at scca events where you wait 20 minutes before each run? Are there any products that you can cover the tires during waiting in the paddock area to keep them nice and hot.

 

That's odd. In my experience with autoXing on S-03s last season, they did well for me when they were cold or warm, but were less grippy when hot - like you describe "hot to the touch".

Andrew

 

When I first got them (april) I autoXed on them with stock suspension for one autoX and I was amazed at how well they sticked even when they were cold as hell. However, I have put about 5 thousand miles on them so far, have autoXed probally 6 events and now either I am just used to the insane stickyness or as they were (have about 50% tread left) the handling characteristics change.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by asmallsol &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
My question is, is there any way to keep my tires hotter at scca events where you wait 20 minutes before each run? Are there any products that you can cover the tires during waiting in the paddock area to keep them nice and hot. </TD></TR></TABLE>

The SCCA rule is that you must wait a minimum of 5 minutes between runs. This is to prevent an unfair hot tire advantage. Also no active tire warming devices are allowed and no driving around to heat tires. However there is something that you can do to keep your tires warm between runs - wrap them in space blankets or other heat trapping devices. We see this quite frequently at big, national-level events.

I really don't think a street tire like the S03 (which I have on my type R for the street) really benefits from being too hot to touch. But probably does like to be about 110 degrees. What were the ambient temperatures when you did your events?

 

both were about 80 degrees out (the two most reasent ones, the one that stuck really good (first autoX of the year) it was about 40 degrees)

 

I don't believe you are allowed to use anything in SCCA events to heat your tires.

Maybe your tires were too hot...and thats why they weren't sticking well.
I have race tires...and for me, they need to be cooled, or some pressure needs to be bled by my 4th and 5th runs. They get too hot and the car just wants to "plow".
Have you tried adjusting the tire pressures?? do you check the pressures in between runs??

 

Yeah I check them after each run. They are always too cold except at the non scca events.

 

Honestly, maybe you aren't running hard enough? If they're not hot to the touch after 1 run, you're running too slow

 

ask yourself if you detailed your car before the events where it didn't work well and if when you detailed it you used any sort of tire treatment like ArmorAll.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by turbohappy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Honestly, maybe you aren't running hard enough? If they're not hot to the touch after 1 run, you're running too slow </TD></TR></TABLE>

i'd being willing to bet that if he's complaining that the car isn't turning, it has nothing to do with driving the car too slow. unless the steering wheel isn't connected to anything.....

nate

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by solo-x &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i'd being willing to bet that if he's complaining that the car isn't turning, it has nothing to do with driving the car too slow. unless the steering wheel isn't connected to anything.....</TD></TR></TABLE>
Wow, I really misread the post! Much apologies.

 

Heh, here in Austin, its common to see the pros going around with little pumps squirting water on thier tires between runs to get them cooled down before the next run.

Another thing that you might be noticing is your tire's air pressure changing as the temps change... that can affect handling dramatically.

I usually bleed a pound or two of pressure out after they get heated up.

 

yea I know, everyone with azenies (SP?) do that here. I have about 50% tread left on them so by mid season I will be buying new ones. This time I will probally go with a tire that has problems with getting TOO hot.