Tires at Tracks
12-12-2012 | 11:08 PM
#31
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And I couldn't watch all 30 minutes of the second one because it makes me want to be on the track. I was in tears every time I watched this summer because I wanted to be on the track sooooooooooooooo badly.Karen,
Get a set of BFG R1's 225 (f) & 245(r) /45/16 from TireRack. They will last you all season, possibly more if you rotate them. Track down a set of 8 in D90 to run up front then use 245's all around. A good sticky tire to learn on. I'm sure other will say do something different, but I did that for a few seasons with great success. street tires suck R1's have much more life then R6's for maybe 1-2 seconds slower @ mid ohio, for example.
Get a set of BFG R1's 225 (f) & 245(r) /45/16 from TireRack. They will last you all season, possibly more if you rotate them. Track down a set of 8 in D90 to run up front then use 245's all around. A good sticky tire to learn on. I'm sure other will say do something different, but I did that for a few seasons with great success. street tires suck R1's have much more life then R6's for maybe 1-2 seconds slower @ mid ohio, for example.
Karen,
Be careful running the 245's all around the first time out. With stock sway bars, my turbo track car over steered terribly with the 245's up front. Only time it ever scared me. I still run 245's squared but with an adjustable rear sway. Good advice regarding the BFG R1's and rotating the tires. Also, if you want to get into racing quicker, a racing school is also good way to go. Downside. Not enough seat time. You can get a lot of situations thrown at you during a race and driving the car needs to automatic. Think about the old time fighter pilots. A dog fight was not the place to learn how to fly the plane.
Be careful running the 245's all around the first time out. With stock sway bars, my turbo track car over steered terribly with the 245's up front. Only time it ever scared me. I still run 245's squared but with an adjustable rear sway. Good advice regarding the BFG R1's and rotating the tires. Also, if you want to get into racing quicker, a racing school is also good way to go. Downside. Not enough seat time. You can get a lot of situations thrown at you during a race and driving the car needs to automatic. Think about the old time fighter pilots. A dog fight was not the place to learn how to fly the plane.
Ex is a pilot and so I learned how to fly the plane enough to know how to get us on the ground
12-13-2012 | 10:12 AM
#33
The Penguin King
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Ok, I see in another thread that Karen has done a total of zero track events to date. Based on that, I would advise that she ignore all of the advice about running on Hoosiers, or BFG's,... AND ignore the advice about going to a racing school. Get the car out on at most intermediate type track tires (RA1's, NT-01's,...) and get some seat time. Worry about upgrading to the high-end DOT-R's later. Invest in SEAT TIME, and see how things progress for you.
12-13-2012 | 11:27 AM
#36
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From: GOD's waiting room. <br> SoFla
Ok, I see in another thread that Karen has done a total of zero track events to date. Based on that, I would advise that she ignore all of the advice about running on Hoosiers, or BFG's,... AND ignore the advice about going to a racing school. Get the car out on at most intermediate type track tires (RA1's, NT-01's,...) and get some seat time. Worry about upgrading to the high-end DOT-R's later. Invest in SEAT TIME, and see how things progress for you.
NO 'DOT R' tires until you are in at least an advanced run group. (blue or solo)....
-reason being when they give up traction, its very suddenly ... vs the more constant slipping of street tires.
12-13-2012 | 11:58 AM
#37
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And conversely, it's easier and safer to get experience with sliding a car around and develop car control by using street tires. IMO, lots of skidpad time (preferably instructed) is also highly advisable.
12-13-2012 | 09:10 PM
#40
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Ok, I see in another thread that Karen has done a total of zero track events to date. Based on that, I would advise that she ignore all of the advice about running on Hoosiers, or BFG's,... AND ignore the advice about going to a racing school. Get the car out on at most intermediate type track tires (RA1's, NT-01's,...) and get some seat time. Worry about upgrading to the high-end DOT-R's later. Invest in SEAT TIME, and see how things progress for you.
I fear my a$$ will be pretty sore by summer's end 
12-14-2012 | 01:30 AM
#41
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: New York
Karen,
Get a set of BFG R1's 225 (f) & 245(r) /45/16 from TireRack. They will last you all season, possibly more if you rotate them. Track down a set of 8 in D90 to run up front then use 245's all around. A good sticky tire to learn on. I'm sure other will say do something different, but I did that for a few seasons with great success. street tires suck R1's have much more life then R6's for maybe 1-2 seconds slower @ mid ohio, for example.
Get a set of BFG R1's 225 (f) & 245(r) /45/16 from TireRack. They will last you all season, possibly more if you rotate them. Track down a set of 8 in D90 to run up front then use 245's all around. A good sticky tire to learn on. I'm sure other will say do something different, but I did that for a few seasons with great success. street tires suck R1's have much more life then R6's for maybe 1-2 seconds slower @ mid ohio, for example.
12-14-2012 | 07:23 AM
#42
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: T.C. Michigan
I would recommend sliding and screaching around on a set of street tires first. It may only be a few days but it gives you a benchmark and the provide significantly more feedback on the edge.
If your goal is to advance rapidly and to race, choose your instructor(s) wisely. The DE line will get you started, the race line(s) is(are) a different animal, especially at Mid Ohio.
And...I always pick up my tires at the track, often from Phil's. If you are doing a DE combined with a race weekend a tire vendor will be there. When you get to slicks the BFG R1's are equal to R6 but are more consisent through individual sessions and through their heat cycle life. Based on my experience (I did 11 races on the BFG's this year).
Understanding tire compounds, pressures, temperatures are unbelievably important. Get a little notebook and start keeping track of air temp, tire pressures before and after (hot). As you progress, continue to add more notes about handling. This will dial you into the track, car handling, tires and set up. As you progress you can gather more data.
And....have fun.
If your goal is to advance rapidly and to race, choose your instructor(s) wisely. The DE line will get you started, the race line(s) is(are) a different animal, especially at Mid Ohio.
And...I always pick up my tires at the track, often from Phil's. If you are doing a DE combined with a race weekend a tire vendor will be there. When you get to slicks the BFG R1's are equal to R6 but are more consisent through individual sessions and through their heat cycle life. Based on my experience (I did 11 races on the BFG's this year).
Understanding tire compounds, pressures, temperatures are unbelievably important. Get a little notebook and start keeping track of air temp, tire pressures before and after (hot). As you progress, continue to add more notes about handling. This will dial you into the track, car handling, tires and set up. As you progress you can gather more data.
And....have fun.
12-14-2012 | 11:32 AM
#44
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I would recommend sliding and screaching around on a set of street tires first. It may only be a few days but it gives you a benchmark and the provide significantly more feedback on the edge.
If your goal is to advance rapidly and to race, choose your instructor(s) wisely. The DE line will get you started, the race line(s) is(are) a different animal, especially at Mid Ohio.
And...I always pick up my tires at the track, often from Phil's. If you are doing a DE combined with a race weekend a tire vendor will be there. When you get to slicks the BFG R1's are equal to R6 but are more consisent through individual sessions and through their heat cycle life. Based on my experience (I did 11 races on the BFG's this year).
Understanding tire compounds, pressures, temperatures are unbelievably important. Get a little notebook and start keeping track of air temp, tire pressures before and after (hot). As you progress, continue to add more notes about handling. This will dial you into the track, car handling, tires and set up. As you progress you can gather more data.
And....have fun.
If your goal is to advance rapidly and to race, choose your instructor(s) wisely. The DE line will get you started, the race line(s) is(are) a different animal, especially at Mid Ohio.
And...I always pick up my tires at the track, often from Phil's. If you are doing a DE combined with a race weekend a tire vendor will be there. When you get to slicks the BFG R1's are equal to R6 but are more consisent through individual sessions and through their heat cycle life. Based on my experience (I did 11 races on the BFG's this year).
Understanding tire compounds, pressures, temperatures are unbelievably important. Get a little notebook and start keeping track of air temp, tire pressures before and after (hot). As you progress, continue to add more notes about handling. This will dial you into the track, car handling, tires and set up. As you progress you can gather more data.
And....have fun.
