Track tyre temperature
Discussion
Just trying to gather some data.
I'm running Interstate DNRT's on my n/a 1.6 oonos. My tyre temps vary (corner to corner) from about 45 to 55 deg C. I recently read something on an online article that track tyres should be running 80 to 100 C. This seems excessive to me but I've no other feedback to gauge the artlcles assertion on.
For those of you who monitor your temps, what do you get yours to run at and does 80-100 C sound right to you??
I'm running Interstate DNRT's on my n/a 1.6 oonos. My tyre temps vary (corner to corner) from about 45 to 55 deg C. I recently read something on an online article that track tyres should be running 80 to 100 C. This seems excessive to me but I've no other feedback to gauge the artlcles assertion on.
For those of you who monitor your temps, what do you get yours to run at and does 80-100 C sound right to you??
Are you measuring at the surface or do you have pyrometer?
ETA, Toyo recommend between 71 and 105deg, that's quite a range....
https://www.toyo.co.uk/page/index/identifier/set-u...
ETA, Toyo recommend between 71 and 105deg, that's quite a range....
https://www.toyo.co.uk/page/index/identifier/set-u...
Edited by Dave. on Saturday 25th May 23:16
I gathered that, you'd have a hell of a job on measuring tyre temps after every bend.
Tyre temps will vary corner to corner, depending on which track you're at.
Brands hatch I'd expect front left to be warmer than front right as the last bend before you pit is a right hander, at Croft there's a tight left before the pits so I'd expect front right to be warmer than front left.
Unless you have 4 people with 4 pyrometers ready to stab into the tyres the second you pull into the pits, you're never going to get accurate readings. If you're measuring the surface one wheel at a time after you've come off the track, parked up, removed your helmet and gloves, got your Laser thermometer out of the glovebox and gone round each wheel one at a time.....
Bit more into needed on what you're actually doing, what on, and what with...
Tyre temps will vary corner to corner, depending on which track you're at.
Brands hatch I'd expect front left to be warmer than front right as the last bend before you pit is a right hander, at Croft there's a tight left before the pits so I'd expect front right to be warmer than front left.
Unless you have 4 people with 4 pyrometers ready to stab into the tyres the second you pull into the pits, you're never going to get accurate readings. If you're measuring the surface one wheel at a time after you've come off the track, parked up, removed your helmet and gloves, got your Laser thermometer out of the glovebox and gone round each wheel one at a time.....
Bit more into needed on what you're actually doing, what on, and what with...
Okay. It's the first time I've been out with the laser pyro. What I do is go round the track (Blyton). Finish on a hottish lap pull up, take off my helmet then measure each tyre, wheel and brake disk.
As I said temps measure from 40 to 50 depending on which corner of the car and what circuit I was on.
Ultimately, I'm not trying to fine tune my setup. I think I'm really trying to establish whether these tyres suit the car. I've only been trackdaying 2 years and don't have much empirical data to work from. You'll not be surprised to hear that even through all petrol heads are enthusiastic contributors of anecdotal information finding another MX5 in the same trim and a similar setup is actually quite rare. Even at a Mazda on track outing. My setup has been one of iterative improvement, to the point where I'm happy with the cars cornering ability but within the next couple of trackdays I would imagine I'll be looking for a new set of tyres. The disparity between recommended working temperatures and what I'm seeing calls this into question.
All this has been brought into focus following (lit.) the guy who brought a £350 1.6 VTS recent purchase with standard springs, budget tyres and a weak clutch. After some swapping around he went for the only Pilot Road at 45 PSI on the offside front some, unknown nearside front at 35psi and the rears at 20. While I could have gone faster through the fast corners (Bish/Bunga) I was surprised at how grippy and stable the VTS appeared. Oh, his offside front came in at 55C and 57psi hot.
As I said temps measure from 40 to 50 depending on which corner of the car and what circuit I was on.
Ultimately, I'm not trying to fine tune my setup. I think I'm really trying to establish whether these tyres suit the car. I've only been trackdaying 2 years and don't have much empirical data to work from. You'll not be surprised to hear that even through all petrol heads are enthusiastic contributors of anecdotal information finding another MX5 in the same trim and a similar setup is actually quite rare. Even at a Mazda on track outing. My setup has been one of iterative improvement, to the point where I'm happy with the cars cornering ability but within the next couple of trackdays I would imagine I'll be looking for a new set of tyres. The disparity between recommended working temperatures and what I'm seeing calls this into question.
All this has been brought into focus following (lit.) the guy who brought a £350 1.6 VTS recent purchase with standard springs, budget tyres and a weak clutch. After some swapping around he went for the only Pilot Road at 45 PSI on the offside front some, unknown nearside front at 35psi and the rears at 20. While I could have gone faster through the fast corners (Bish/Bunga) I was surprised at how grippy and stable the VTS appeared. Oh, his offside front came in at 55C and 57psi hot.
Gassing Station | Mazda MX5/Roadster/Miata | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff