Slicks on winter trackdays

[IainXE]

I have a trackday on Saturday, and if it's dry I plan to use my Michelin S9C slicks.

Temps are forecast around 0-3C.

Am I going to have a bad time? Or reckon they'll get some heat in and not kill me?

[iguana]

Girl wheel drive or proper?

Either way is a big difference between new race slicks & old heat cycled to death trackday use slicks, but either case is almost a guaranteed route to the Armco in a fwd, & even if no impact often the inevitable big moment will flat spot all 4 tyres rendering them useless as you just won't get heat in the rears, rwd better esp on a heavier car but still not ideal, personally I wouldn't, just spend so long tip toeing round hoping is heat there, just use something else rubber wise & enjoy the day & not fret.

[IainXE]

Wrong wheel drive, 850kg. Old battered trackday slicks.

I fear you're right, I've got some Toyo R1Rs I could put on the back but I hear they're not recommended for cold temps either.

[Wh00sher]

I certainly wouldn`t. Too cold, the surface will just tear off the slick as you can`t get the core temp hot enough.

[SimonMason]

If their old then forget it they will never come up to a grip level you can trust. Use the Toyo's focus your first 2 laps PURELY on building up rear tyre temperature, don't worry about the fronts at all, then start to lean on it. Its also worth running a couple of extra Psi in them.

[IainXE]

Will take them all and see how I get on then! Sounds like itd be better for me if its wet all day.

I will of course try one session on the slicks to see what happens ha ha.

[IainXE]

For anyone reading this wondering the same. Don't be a pansy and get out there

Been on my hard used heat cycled 2+ year old slicks in about 2 degrees c and once warmed up they were just as good as normal.

[Pdelamare]

I'm at Silverstone tomorrow, where there is a frost warning, and I only have slicks for the Caterham.

I'll let you all know, should be interesting.

[VTECMatt]

I ran slicks on my old Civic back on n the he early 2000's at Donington with frost along the main straight, if dry not an issue just take extra care first few laps.

[JeffC]

IainXE said:

For anyone reading this wondering the same. Don't be a pansy and get out there

Been on my hard used heat cycled 2+ year old slicks in about 2 degrees c and once warmed up they were just as good as normal.

Good advice, I run with old slicks no matter what the temps, even on a freezing day they will still work better than a road tyre!

[IainXE]

Why didn't you guys reply beforehand so put my doubts to rest!

Ran a few sessions on my Rainsport 3ss until it dried a bit, then one on Toyo R1R which it melted to buggery even on the back so I knew I'd be OK then on

[JeffC]

IainXE said:

Why didn't you guys reply beforehand so put my doubts to rest!

Ran a few sessions on my Rainsport 3ss until it dried a bit, then one on Toyo R1R which it melted to buggery even on the back so I knew I'd be OK then on

ha sorry just found this section of pistonheads despite being a member for years

I run slicks when its wet long as not standing water you can just about get away with them , I then switch to Toyo 888s which I find are the best allrounder with lap times comparable to used slicks in the dry but much quicker in wet.

[wellground]

I use Rally tarmac moulded slicks, in winter the slight grooving helps a lot, getting up to temps is easier and the cope better with heat cycles. Not expensive either. They are a bit whiney on track, very noisy.

[Pdelamare]

It was between -1 and +3 at Silverstone today, tyres took longer to come in than usual but after a few laps grip was actually pretty good.