Tyre pressures for track days
Discussion
Generally as a rule of thumb start at normal cold pressures, do a few laps, drop to cold pressures, do a few laps drop to cold pressures.
After doing that a couple of times the difference will only be a couple of PSI hot/cold, that is then what I use for the rest of the day & every time I stop I will check for the same pressure as I stop, just ensuring I do a warm up lap before "getting on it".
After doing that a couple of times the difference will only be a couple of PSI hot/cold, that is then what I use for the rest of the day & every time I stop I will check for the same pressure as I stop, just ensuring I do a warm up lap before "getting on it".
Depends also on what tyre you are running; a performance/track oriented tyre will have a stiffer sidewall and can be run at a lower pressure. In my experience I’ve found the best feel for me in most cars has been on the lower end for hot presssures (below recommended cold pressures) of around 30 psi. Most of my track days have been with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup rubber and Michelin state a minimum hot pressure of 28 psi for that tyre.
Depending on what car/tyre/suspension you have there may be some useful information out there on the forums for you as a starting point.
Depending on what car/tyre/suspension you have there may be some useful information out there on the forums for you as a starting point.
Lighter the car, the less pressure you need.
My 2+ tonne Volvo XC90 runs with 40 psi all round on the road.
My 1 tonne TVR runs with 22psi front and 24 rear, and is like Bambi on ice if you put the standard KwikFit 36psi all round in it.
On a track day, if I start with 22psi in the front, after a good session or two my fronts are close to 30 psi.
So the advice is to relate your starting pressure to the weight of the car, and check your pressures regularly, taking any excess air out.
But don't forget if you are driving it home, make sure you have taken with you some way of putting air back in the tyres!!
My 2+ tonne Volvo XC90 runs with 40 psi all round on the road.
My 1 tonne TVR runs with 22psi front and 24 rear, and is like Bambi on ice if you put the standard KwikFit 36psi all round in it.
On a track day, if I start with 22psi in the front, after a good session or two my fronts are close to 30 psi.
So the advice is to relate your starting pressure to the weight of the car, and check your pressures regularly, taking any excess air out.
But don't forget if you are driving it home, make sure you have taken with you some way of putting air back in the tyres!!
I have after market TPMS, and on my last track day - my rears should be 41psi, I lowered to 35psi before the session and hit the TPMS warning sound at 48psi - so up from 35-48psi 
These were confirmed with a separate hand held cos I didn't believe the TPMS readings at first.
So dont under estimate the gain that is possible on a dry track.
These were confirmed with a separate hand held cos I didn't believe the TPMS readings at first.So dont under estimate the gain that is possible on a dry track.
sparkyhx said:
I have after market TPMS, and on my last track day - my rears should be 41psi, I lowered to 35psi before the session and hit the TPMS warning sound at 48psi - so up from 35-48psi These were confirmed with a separate hand held cos I didn't believe the TPMS readings at first.
So dont under estimate the gain that is possible on a dry track.
41psi is on the high side to start off with. What car is it? These were confirmed with a separate hand held cos I didn't believe the TPMS readings at first.So dont under estimate the gain that is possible on a dry track.
I've never had more than 33psi recommended for a car.
Zarco said:
sparkyhx said:
I have after market TPMS, and on my last track day - my rears should be 41psi, I lowered to 35psi before the session and hit the TPMS warning sound at 48psi - so up from 35-48psi These were confirmed with a separate hand held cos I didn't believe the TPMS readings at first.
So dont under estimate the gain that is possible on a dry track.
41psi is on the high side to start off with. What car is it? These were confirmed with a separate hand held cos I didn't believe the TPMS readings at first.So dont under estimate the gain that is possible on a dry track.
I've never had more than 33psi recommended for a car.
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