Tyre Dilemma ...

[richardb.jones]

Hi,

First post so be gentle please ...

I'm going to Bedford on the 22nd and have only 2mm of tread on the front tyres.

Car is a 996 C4, tyres are (or were..) Pirelli 225/40 ZR18's Assi.

A couple of questions I have please :-

- Will the tyres last the day (I'm a novice but this is my 2nd track day so want to 'experiement' a bit (ie turn PSM off...)

- If it's mildly wet, will 2mm be enough to keep me on the track...

.. or do I go and get some new tyres prior to the trackday. However..

- They won't handle as well due to increased tyre flex
- Seems a waste of 2mm of good rubber !

I appreciate that I'll need to change them immediately after the event - I guess they may not even be legal after the event for the drive home (1.6mm or less...) Hmmmm...

Your thoughts please ...

Thanks in advance,

Richard.

[mmm-five]

It will depend on how you drive - I normally don't use tyres with tread below 3mm unless I have spares with me and a way of getting them fitted before I leave the track.

I've now got a spare set of rims with sticky tyres instead as it works out much cheaper to buy a spare set for rims for £600 and a set of stick rubber for £300 that lasts 2-3 track days, than to tempt fate and drive home on illegal & probably unsafe tyres which will need replacing at a cost of £800 an event anyway!

[daydreamer]

Also don't forget that if you have worn the tyres from new to 2mm, they won't be in tip top sticky condition anymore anyway. It is one thing shaving tyres down to give low tread on new rubber, but even the heat cycles that get on by motorway pounding will have a detrimental effect.

If you are just doing the occasional day, then I'd stick some new rubber on before the day. If you are doing tonnes, then a spare set of wheels could be the way forward. I recommend shodding them with Dunlop Formula R!

[richardb.jones]

Thanks guys - I'll get some new rubber I guess. Dedicated rims is an excellent idea and one I have thought of but at the moment can't be justified due to the cost vs frequency of use. PS - not sure where you are getting your track rubber from, but a full set of sticky tyres for my car is £900+ ... :-o

Thanks again, maybe I'll see some PH's there on the 22nd - Black 996 C4 Aero...