Track day tyre pressures?

[J-Tuner]

Hi all,

Just wondering what you guys run for tyre pressures. I have 195/50/15 Yokohamas (539's??)

Just want to make sure i get the best wear rate/grip combo !

Cheers

Steve

[MX-5 Lazza]

Pressure will increaseas the tyres heat up while you are on track so start with no extra pressure fir the first session then take a look at the tyre wear. If you are rolling enough to be wearing close to the edge of the tread then add a couple of psi to whatever you have and try again. Repeat until you are happy with it. There isn't a correct pressure, it depends on the track, the weather, your driving style, the tyres, the suspension...

[bluetone]

Personally I like to jack the pressures up some, esp. in the rears. But then again, I am addicted to oversteer

Edited by bluetone on Friday 30th October 04:19

[J-Tuner]

Cheers for the insight

I got a decent karting pressure gauge with a release valve and a footpump so i'm probably going to run them my usual 28psi to start with and check them when i come in each time. On an open pit lane day at bedford this saturday and they are expecting rain (so i am told) so maybe the 28 will be fine

[bluetone]

J-Tuner said:

On an open pit lane day at bedford this saturday and they are expecting rain (so i am told) so maybe the 28 will be fine

Sounds like fun; enjoy! I've done the 'experience' day at Bedford twice and had a ball each time, especially in the mental and totally awesome Jaguar JP1 cars

[bluetone]

J-Tuner said:

they are expecting rain (so i am told)

Have a look-see at this on Saturday a.m...
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/radar/index...

[MX-5 Lazza]

My mate Ross will be there in a blue Elise 111R with white stripes with a mate of his with an S2000. Pop over and say hello to him if you get a chance.

The forecast is certainly showing (very) wet weather so I'd leave the tyre pressures alone. The run-offs at Bedford are massive but are grass covered so if you come off you will travel a long way so don't go off and if you do just stamp on the brakes and keep them stamped until you come to a complete stop! I doubt you will though - and enjoy it - it's a great track.

[Ab Shocks]

You will find that most of the tyre brands look to get around 32/34 psi hot on track use but thats not easy in the winter or on wet tracks.

I would however suggest that 26psi cold with slightly softer damping on wet tracks is a good starting point.

[J-Tuner]

MX-5 Lazza said:

My mate Ross will be there in a blue Elise 111R with white stripes with a mate of his with an S2000. Pop over and say hello to him if you get a chance.

The forecast is certainly showing (very) wet weather so I'd leave the tyre pressures alone. The run-offs at Bedford are massive but are grass covered so if you come off you will travel a long way so don't go off and if you do just stamp on the brakes and keep them stamped until you come to a complete stop! I doubt you will though - and enjoy it - it's a great track.

I'll try and catch them at some point - looks like we could be all huddled in the garages when not in track so a good opportunity to compare notes.

I will certainly be exploring the upper limits of grip and having a play, but since the car is so small, and the speeds are relatively low i don't expect to get anywhere near the armco... i will be wary of the grass etc though - i know how far you can slide on wet grass !!

Car is completely standard so it sounds like 26-28psi if wet is a good bet. If its dry then see what the pressures are like when i come back in and aim for around 32psi hot max, and adjust accordingly.

I've just completely rain-x'd the '5 before work just in case it does pour down... don't want any visability issues if its really heavy

Edited by J-Tuner on Friday 30th October 13:32