Spoke to Michelin US rep recently who mentioned to me that I need to be running their "Indy" tires on the rear, with Blues on the front, due to the higher stresses the banking at the Glen causes on the rear tires. Also need to use less aggressive camber and toe. Anyone with any experience on this? We've ordered the tires, but are wondering about camber and toe. Currently running -4, and going to anything less will mean we'll have to raise the ride height to avoid rubbing.

 

Michelin sent out info to the tire reps for the glen for camber and psi. Ask your tire rep for them. It does however not include any corner weight, ride height or toe information. That is all from experience. I am not sure that anyone will give you that.

 

who's doing your support?

 

Thanks! I'll speak to JD tomorrow re. the Michelin recommendations. If anyone wants to share anything top secret, PM me!

 

Wrench is Courtney Walsh from Autowerks, here in TO. TRG will be doing support for me at the race. Not sure how much experience they have with the Michelins though as I think the Grand Am cars aren't using Michelin (Hoosiers?).

 

It is interesting that the Michelin reps say to run the Indy tire. Most people I know run the standard Blues, I have run blacks, yellows, and blues and I consider WGI to be my "home" track. I ran set of their yellow "Daytona" tire which I think was a 9C compound and found the rear was lacking in grip. so it will be interesting to see what you think.

TRG ran a number of IMSA Challenge cars last year which ran on Michelin tires so I would think they have enough knowledge and experience with setup on your car.

 

Just got a copy of the Michelin memo. Here's what it says:

Tire Recommendations for Watkins Glen
We recommend reduced camber settings and increased inflation pressures for running
rear-engined 911-type cars at Watkins Glen, as well as running the banked
the rear (MSPN 07447). Please pass on the attached camber and pressure
recommendations to your customers at the
recommends the following camber
Recommended camber settings:
LF: -3.0° to -4.0° RF: -3.0
LR: -2.5° to -3.2° RR: -2.5
Minimum hot pressures:
LF: 30 psi / 2.07 bar RF: 30 psi / 2.07
LR: 32 psi / 2.20 bar RR: 32
Thank you very much for your attention
Michelin Motorsports
Watkins Glen PCA Race
banked-track tires at
. Watkins Glen PCA race. Michelin strongly
and pressure limits for the Watkins Glen event
3.0° to -4.0°
° to -3.5°
bar
psi / 2.20 bar
attention. Good luck at the track!
event

 

Banking at the Glen? The blues should be fine, I had a fresh Yellow cup delaminate on me at the top of the esses though, on a 996 cup. Maybe my incident had something to do with the memo?

 

Wow...

 

That tire is famous now.

 

Don't know if you guys saw this thread about tire failure over on the R&DE board... is this an issue with just the "yellow cup" Michelin's?

 

Yep. I not only saw the thread, I saw the accident, or was there about a second or two after....Good thing Peter was ok. He was running the Indy tires (blue I think?). Wonder what happened to cause it to blow. We ran the Indy tires for a session or two on much less aggressive camber and toe and also higher ride height, than we would have for just normal Blues.

 

It was a nasty wreck, and he's very fortunate. He was on the yellows--I was in touch with him offline and he said the car was set up for what Michelin wanted.
With 3 days at the Glen next month, planning on running the blues...

 

I ran the Blues for the Enduro, but with the camber configuration Michelin recommended for the Indys. Cold pressures 21 and 23 and I think our hot pressures were something like 10 higher. Temps were about 190F. No issues after 90 mins. Will run them for practice at Mosport on Monday.