Autocross tire recommendation?
02-15-2004, 01:22 PM
#16
Well, similarly, I wouldn't take a track tire to autocross because it
would cause problems. It would take too long to heat up enough
to stick so the driving would be too inconsistent. What was the
edge in the first run would be way off in the third.
For autocross, use an autocross tire. The limit will be consistent
and you will be able to concentrate on technique, as opposed to
having to discover how much the tire is going to stick this time.
Use a track tire on tracks. An autocross tire would stick better,
or at least quicker, but would wear out much sooner, and some
might even not be able to handle the heat of a 20-minute session.
If you want to really know the limits of the car, you have to
exceed them and see what happens and how/whether you can
deal with the consequences, depending on how far over you went.
Autocross is ideal for that. You can't safely exceed the limits on a
track, unless you have no economic or health concerns about
occasionally backing your car into a tire wall at 70mph. The Jim
Russel Racing School had various levels of driving/racing classes.
In the most advanced racing classes they do autocross for this
very reason.
If you want seat time (and you do) DE and track events are
crucial. However, track time alone is like an athlete jogging
all day, and only going all-out occasionally. Autocross is like
sprint training. In autocross you jump to 10/10ths at the instant
the flag drops, and you hold it there for the next 12 corners. Zero
slack, no time to 'read guages', and missing apexes by 5" in a full
drift means the difference between 1st and 3rd.
Autocross is ideal if you want that sharp edge and reflexes. Of course,
if you actually race, especially with full grids and lots of aggressive
passing in the corners, then you get it all in one place, but then your
car is a consumable...
Joe
would cause problems. It would take too long to heat up enough
to stick so the driving would be too inconsistent. What was the
edge in the first run would be way off in the third.
For autocross, use an autocross tire. The limit will be consistent
and you will be able to concentrate on technique, as opposed to
having to discover how much the tire is going to stick this time.
Use a track tire on tracks. An autocross tire would stick better,
or at least quicker, but would wear out much sooner, and some
might even not be able to handle the heat of a 20-minute session.
If you want to really know the limits of the car, you have to
exceed them and see what happens and how/whether you can
deal with the consequences, depending on how far over you went.
Autocross is ideal for that. You can't safely exceed the limits on a
track, unless you have no economic or health concerns about
occasionally backing your car into a tire wall at 70mph. The Jim
Russel Racing School had various levels of driving/racing classes.
In the most advanced racing classes they do autocross for this
very reason.
If you want seat time (and you do) DE and track events are
crucial. However, track time alone is like an athlete jogging
all day, and only going all-out occasionally. Autocross is like
sprint training. In autocross you jump to 10/10ths at the instant
the flag drops, and you hold it there for the next 12 corners. Zero
slack, no time to 'read guages', and missing apexes by 5" in a full
drift means the difference between 1st and 3rd.
Autocross is ideal if you want that sharp edge and reflexes. Of course,
if you actually race, especially with full grids and lots of aggressive
passing in the corners, then you get it all in one place, but then your
car is a consumable...
Joe
02-15-2004, 11:31 PM
#17
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Great advice.
My thinking is that I'd like to play it safe on the track so I will use the stock summer wheels and tires. They seems to give a lot of feedback and lose lateral grip gradually.
I'd like to go aggressive with autocross. I did it with stock tires for a season. Now it's time for me to get more grip.
I've been trying to avoid owning 3 sets of wheels (Winter, everyday Summer, and autocross). I may just bite the bullet and get another set of the summer wheel since that will get the most out of the car.
My thinking is that I'd like to play it safe on the track so I will use the stock summer wheels and tires. They seems to give a lot of feedback and lose lateral grip gradually.
I'd like to go aggressive with autocross. I did it with stock tires for a season. Now it's time for me to get more grip.
I've been trying to avoid owning 3 sets of wheels (Winter, everyday Summer, and autocross). I may just bite the bullet and get another set of the summer wheel since that will get the most out of the car.
