Advice needed - change tyres before track day or not?

[northo]

I have been running my rear tyres over-inflated, and consequently the tread has worn in the centre - I am down to about 2.5mm in the centre although the rest of the tread looks much healthier. I am taking the car on track this week - should I change the tyres before tracking it or not? I'm not worried about wearing new set of tyres on track, what I need to know is - will the low tread depths affect my grip on track?

Look forward to hearing from you.

[GreenV8S]

I'd be happy taking those on track as long as you do run them at the correct pressure. Keep an eye on tread wear throughout the day (you should always do this anyway) and make sure you don't allow them to wear so far they become illegal or unsafe for the drive home. Most of the wear is likely to be on the outer shoulders though if you have the pressures right.

If you decide to replace them beforehand anyway, make sure you have cured the tyres fully before the track day. Un-cured new tyres can wear very quickly and it's easy to destroy a set of new tyres in a single track day.

[900ssduke]

I think your 2.5mm tread will more than vanish on a track day if your car has a decent bit of go about it. You would need to consider how you are going to get it home.

[northo]

I've got more than enough tread on the outsides of the tyres to last the day - and not enough power to be spinning the wheels up. I also have the luxury of being able to stick the car in a truck for the trip home if the tyres go below 1.6mm, so I think I'll leave them on.

Thanks for the advice on the new tyres - it was something I should have thought about, and hadn't. Same goes for brakes I guess.....

[willtvr]

Ed, your tyres should be perfect for trackday. Most unlikely to take 1mm off the centres with pressures adjusted. Should handle better than new assuming rubber has not gone off with age and KH is dry!

[thinfourth2]

you tell me if its going to rain or not and i will give you an answer

[northo]

Thanks Will.

Would it make a big difference if the track was wet?

[BobCat]

Hi Ed, Is the next outing to the "the ring" then after this little taster?. That would make a good RP trip.

[BrianJ]

northo said:

Thanks Will.

Would it make a big difference if the track was wet?

Ed, As others have said, the part worn tyres will be better than new ones in the dry but less good in the wet. I'd leave them on - you're not going to be at 10/10ths on a first trackday?!

Which trackday is it?

Brian J

[northo]

brian,

It's Supercar Sunday. I will be mixing it up with the big boys, so watch out for not one but two white 944's amongst the Fezzas. I had her out on track last month with the same tyres on, and as WillTVR will testify, it was pretty slippery, so I'm not too worried about the wet weather handling - I know it will be like driving on ice!

Bob - I wouldn't want to have to embarrass you at the 'Ring too.........

[BrianJ]

northo said:

brian,

It's Supercar Sunday. I will be mixing it up with the big boys, so watch out for not one but two white 944's amongst the Fezzas. I had her out on track last month with the same tyres on, and as WillTVR will testify, it was pretty slippery, so I'm not too worried about the wet weather handling - I know it will be like driving on ice!

Bob - I wouldn't want to have to embarrass you at the 'Ring too.........

Ed, enjoy it - I'm up there on Saturday - forecast for the weekend is good - but that can change!

[900ssduke]

Pity I'm going to miss this one, last years was a blast. Any 911 front end mods planned this year?