New Slix - Rolling Road
Discussion
I have a set of new slix I will need to use this coming weekend. Qually looks to be wet but the race is looking to be dry. I would normally bed new slix in during qually. Couple of questions.....can you race on new slix without putting a heat cycle through them first with out damaging them ? and secondly I was thinking of carefully bringing the new tyres up to temperature on the rolling road. Anyone think using the rollers is a bad idea and if so why.
Hi Andy yes I know that, but the issue I have is qually is going to be wet so I can't run slix , I was thinking nice and gently up to temp,not blistering them. Testing is out as the race is on Saturday.
can you just race on them straight away? I always thought that drastically reduced rubber life.
can you just race on them straight away? I always thought that drastically reduced rubber life.
Edited by 77racing on Wednesday 1st October 18:09
I wouldn't be relying so heavily on a weather forecast 3-4 days out, it will likely change. And if not then you'll get 2 green flag laps because conditions have changed between qually and the race.
I would not put new tyres on the rolling road. Green flag lap and work them hard, you'll be fine. In 24 hour races cars go out on new slicks almost every time....
I would not put new tyres on the rolling road. Green flag lap and work them hard, you'll be fine. In 24 hour races cars go out on new slicks almost every time....
Yep all good advise. I like to be prepared as possible as I have the interest and time to be. You can't be armed with too much information before an important race.
For any one interested and not sure.I spoke to Dunlop Motorsport dept and a leading Dunlop motorsport distributor this morning. Their advise was broadly the same. Ideally you want to put a gentle heat cycle through the tyre before you race on them. If you race on new slix they are good for the first part of the race with lap performance dropping off steadily as you go, also the tyres longevity is seriously compromised. For instance if you ran your tyres for 5 races you would only get reliable reduced performance for 3 races after with no pre race curing, that's ok if you have a good tyre budget. Cold to hot pressure will be the same from new tyres as from a used set. Both advised a hot pressure no more than 30psi although they varied quite a bit on starting pressures. Dunlop thought my start psi was ok and I like to end up at 29psi hot.
One said absolutely no to the rolling road idea the other had no problem as long as you don't over do it and start gently and build up heat, bringing tyre up to a temp short of blistering hot but just enough to cure tyre again. They suggested I use a temp gun across the width of the tyre. They both agreed that a heat cycle before was the way to go if possible to achieve longevity and consistent lap performance from the tyre, that's if you use your tyres for more than a race meeting as I do. They both said that their advise was for my set of circumstances and car and that other people and cars can vary, so seek advise tailored to you and your car was what I got from that
For any one interested and not sure.I spoke to Dunlop Motorsport dept and a leading Dunlop motorsport distributor this morning. Their advise was broadly the same. Ideally you want to put a gentle heat cycle through the tyre before you race on them. If you race on new slix they are good for the first part of the race with lap performance dropping off steadily as you go, also the tyres longevity is seriously compromised. For instance if you ran your tyres for 5 races you would only get reliable reduced performance for 3 races after with no pre race curing, that's ok if you have a good tyre budget. Cold to hot pressure will be the same from new tyres as from a used set. Both advised a hot pressure no more than 30psi although they varied quite a bit on starting pressures. Dunlop thought my start psi was ok and I like to end up at 29psi hot.
One said absolutely no to the rolling road idea the other had no problem as long as you don't over do it and start gently and build up heat, bringing tyre up to a temp short of blistering hot but just enough to cure tyre again. They suggested I use a temp gun across the width of the tyre. They both agreed that a heat cycle before was the way to go if possible to achieve longevity and consistent lap performance from the tyre, that's if you use your tyres for more than a race meeting as I do. They both said that their advise was for my set of circumstances and car and that other people and cars can vary, so seek advise tailored to you and your car was what I got from that
Have I got it all wrong????? ( It has been known to happen! )
77racing said:
Hi Andy yes I know that, but the issue I have is qually is going to be wet so I can't run slix , I was thinking nice and gently up to temp,not blistering them. Testing is out as the race is on Saturday.
can you just race on them straight away? I always thought that drastically reduced rubber life.
Hi Matecan you just race on them straight away? I always thought that drastically reduced rubber life.
Edited by 77racing on Wednesday 1st October 18:09
The point I was making, is if you only have the green flag lap to cure them, its only really 1/2 a lap as they are like ice for the first half. Doesnt give much time to get the heat in.
Scrub them in , in the paddock first just running them up and down to take the shiney surface off. Then you can work them a little harder in the GF lap.
GOOD LUCK!77racing said:
Hi Glen
you have that info right regards oulton. I race in other series not just DTEC.I am racing in the finals of the Castle Combe GT on Saturday, hoping to retain my class honours in championship.
Ah, I see, thanks for that.you have that info right regards oulton. I race in other series not just DTEC.I am racing in the finals of the Castle Combe GT on Saturday, hoping to retain my class honours in championship.
Good luck in preserving your honour mate, there are bound to be a few up your a
e in the race 
And look after your rubber.
I had one fail once, and it was a harrowing few weeks wait until she found there was no bun in the oven after all ........
Sorry, I couldn't help it.
See you all at Oulton Park.Guillotine said:
Hi Mate
The point I was making, is if you only have the green flag lap to cure them, its only really 1/2 a lap as they are like ice for the first half. Doesnt give much time to get the heat in.
Scrub them in , in the paddock first just running them up and down to take the shiney surface off. Then you can work them a little harder in the GF lap. GOOD LUCK!
I think we've probably got a car racing with you Perry an mg midget...it did a 1:47 first time out at oulton last weekend.. The point I was making, is if you only have the green flag lap to cure them, its only really 1/2 a lap as they are like ice for the first half. Doesnt give much time to get the heat in.
Scrub them in , in the paddock first just running them up and down to take the shiney surface off. Then you can work them a little harder in the GF lap.
GOOD LUCK!Hi Perry - I'm surprised with the advice to use a temp gun across the tyre width as that will only read the surface tyre temperature and not that deeper inside the carcass - that's why probes are the usually the preferred choice (& of course the more expensive one too!) Best of luck too 
Graham said:
I think we've probably got a car racing with you Perry an mg midget...it did a 1:47 first time out at oulton last weekend..
as if I need any more competition I recon I need a dnf from one chap but on my four outings in the champ I have got 4 wins 4 fastest laps just need to do that again no pressure then. will you be down helping out ? be good to see you. Keithyboy said:
Hi Perry - I'm surprised with the advice to use a temp gun across the tyre width as that will only read the surface tyre temperature and not that deeper inside the carcass - that's why probes are the usually the preferred choice (& of course the more expensive one too!) Best of luck too
Hi KeithIt has been suggested/decided I take the surface of the tyre gently to 60 deg knowing the core will climb hence the gun, although I totally agree with you probe would be better but I don't have one so a compromise as always . The rollers might not work out but I'm willing to give it a go as I don't fancy only half a lap round combe to get any temps into tyres. If it works I will be a happy chappy. I'd say I would have no chance on a green flag lap. Andy H idea they might give two green laps in the pm because the am will be in wet conditions would be a good bonus but usually it is the other way round and only give extra green flag lap when quallied in the dry but have to race in the wet. I'll give it a go and let you know how it pans out.
At the risk of sounding rude (always a possibility in forums) WTF are you thinking....
Taking the best life out of a brand new set of tyres on a rolling road.
Yes it is a little better if you scrub them in but after half a lap you will have taken the release agent off.
The biggest issue you will have is tyre pressure and heat on the day, neither of these will be solved by a run on a rolling road.
Stop being a wimp, man up and get them scrubbed on the out lap.
Do half a lap with some aggressive weaving to clean the surface, then half a lap with left foot on break and still accelerate, this will get some heat not only in to your breaks but help to bring the tyres up to a decent temp.
Its always going to be a little interesting on the firs few laps on cold under pressure tyres, but there is little you can do about that.
Taking the best life out of a brand new set of tyres on a rolling road.
Yes it is a little better if you scrub them in but after half a lap you will have taken the release agent off.
The biggest issue you will have is tyre pressure and heat on the day, neither of these will be solved by a run on a rolling road.
Stop being a wimp, man up and get them scrubbed on the out lap.
Do half a lap with some aggressive weaving to clean the surface, then half a lap with left foot on break and still accelerate, this will get some heat not only in to your breaks but help to bring the tyres up to a decent temp.
Its always going to be a little interesting on the firs few laps on cold under pressure tyres, but there is little you can do about that.
Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff