Tracking on slicks in the winter - sidewall cracks
#1
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Tracking on slicks in the winter - sidewall cracks
Ran at Barber this past weekend with temps in the 20s and 30s all weekend. I try to level off around 27psi hot, but started in the 30s to try to avoid any issues. Ended up with a personal best lap time but also noticed these cracks on Pirelli DHs late in the day. Looks like this is the only one of the four. I'm guessing this one is done. Anyone else with this experience?
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#3
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Originally Posted by GeoJoe
Ran at Barber this past weekend with temps in the 20s and 30s all weekend. I try to level off around 27psi hot, but started in the 30s to try to avoid any issues. Ended up with a personal best lap time but also noticed these cracks on Pirelli DHs late in the day. Looks like this is the only one of the four. I'm guessing this one is done.
#4
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#5
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Originally Posted by GeoJoe
Thanks guys.... noob move it seems. Now I know.
#7
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Tough this time of year. I did the same 3 years ago at VIR in late October. Those cracks can look nasty. This year, I brought the tires to the track ( 12 hr drive) in the back seat of my truck, and kept the trailer heated overnight with 2 small electric heaters. Mounted them in the morning, and I was good to go. But...what a PITA!
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#8
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Yeah, I guess so. I've been tracking for 5 yrs+, but this is my first year on slicks.
Sounds like a dedicated track guy here with a plan. I knew to keep an eye on them, which is how I noticed after the last session. Next time I'll take the set up to the warm hotel room with me.
Tough this time of year. I did the same 3 years ago at VIR in late October. Those cracks can look nasty. This year, I brought the tires to the track ( 12 hr drive) in the back seat of my truck, and kept the trailer heated overnight with 2 small electric heaters. Mounted them in the morning, and I was good to go. But...what a PITA!
#9
Drifting
Were many people out driving? I was supposed to be there in my RS last weekend too, but a snow storm hit up here in Southern Indiana on Friday morning, The roads were awful, I couldn't get my trailer safely out. Just curious if many people showed up. The entry list was pretty full!
#10
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Were many people out driving? I was supposed to be there in my RS last weekend too, but a snow storm hit up here in Southern Indiana on Friday morning, The roads were awful, I couldn't get my trailer safely out. Just curious if many people showed up. The entry list was pretty full!
#11
Hey Joe, I called Hoosier and And spoke to their tech rep about running in cold weather. He said you can run slicks down to 40° but you have to be real careful warming them up. Hey said cracks are usually caused by dropping or miss handling the tire while really cold. tire can be run at 40° or colder as long as they’re given many laps to warm up. Also trailering the car in very cold weather he said was OK. It’s Miss handling the tire he said causes issues. He also wondered why we need to run in this cold weather anyhow :-) I am going to AMP Sunday, I can’t remember if you’re a member if not I can take you but it’s $250.
#13
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Hey Joe, I called Hoosier and And spoke to their tech rep about running in cold weather. He said you can run slicks down to 40° but you have to be real careful warming them up. Hey said cracks are usually caused by dropping or miss handling the tire while really cold. tire can be run at 40° or colder as long as they’re given many laps to warm up. Also trailering the car in very cold weather he said was OK. It’s Miss handling the tire he said causes issues. He also wondered why we need to run in this cold weather anyhow :-) I am going to AMP Sunday, I can’t remember if you’re a member if not I can take you but it’s $250.
I gave these slicks plenty of laps to warm up and checked PSI often. After a session I'd come into the paddock and then wait for another hour or so for my next session to start. During this time the tires would cool down considerably and I'd drive into the next session with what seemed like flat spots on all four. This would fade after a lap, but I'm wondering if this is when the crack developed on that one.
He also wondered why we need to run in this cold weather anyhow - did you tell him that we were all track-addicted and will do whatever it takes to go fast?
I really like the DH's, but only getting about 15 sessions on a set before they get loose... so that's about 3 track days. I don't have much experience comparing them to the Hoosiers, but the MC2 is so expensive for a new set that I'm going to beat up on the track. Although take-offs are so much cheaper, it seems harder to find a consistent source with the right sizes.
#14
Drifting
DH are better than R7, and WAYYY better than Cup 2's. They don't last long especially as takeoffs. They are really sticky for the first 3-4 HC's then start to fall off. I usually get about 15 sessions before they are dead. They break away more abruptly than DOT track tires but they have a lot more lateral and longitudinal traction.