Running Slicks on a trackday (first time)

[CocoPops]

So, I managed to obtain a set of semi worn Dunlop slicks from Britcar this weekend for my trackdays next spring.

Anything I need to know? how to ensure heat in them etc.
How do I know when they are fully worn out etc?

So, worth buying a set of rims to mount them on?

[XG332]

Unless you have tyre blankets then the only way is to do a couple of slower laps. As for being worn out, they should have depth indicatiors like anyother trye. little holes.

[ginettajoe]

CocoPops said:

So, I managed to obtain a set of semi worn Dunlop slicks from Britcar this weekend for my trackdays next spring.

Anything I need to know? how to ensure heat in them etc.
How do I know when they are fully worn out etc?

So, worth buying a set of rims to mount them on?

Does your car have a full cage in it?? If it doesn't, you will find the majority of TDO's won't allow you to run on slicks! HTH

[Walton]

Remember they'll be even slippier than a hard road tyre for a few laps before warm.

I've never had a problem not running a full cage with Book-a-track, Easytrack, MSV, or Circuit Days.

[Porkie]

Walton said:

Remember they'll be even slippier than a hard road tyre for a few laps before warm.

I've never had a problem not running a full cage with Book-a-track, Easytrack, MSV, or Circuit Days.

few laps??!?!

only takes me 1/2 a lap to get some heat in them! probably less.

[jleroux]

Walton said:

Remember they'll be even slippier than a hard road tyre for a few laps before warm.

I've never had a problem not running a full cage with Book-a-track, Easytrack, MSV, or Circuit Days.

The Caterham has an FIA roll-bar though Richard. Saloons need at least a half-cage.

Jonny
BaT

[jleroux]

CocoPops said:

So, I managed to obtain a set of semi worn Dunlop slicks

What car are you hoping to run them on? Just spotted the VX220 in your profile. I strongly recommend against running slicks on that - the standard suspension is just not up to the job and you risk shearing tow-links or worse. It's also a fairly tricky car on the limit and by bolting slicks onto it, you're raising the speed at which things will go wrong. You're also reducing the amount of notice you'll get.

It's a cheap, easy way of getting some pace on track, but make sure you consider the longer-term cost implications.

Jonny
BaT

[LaurenceFrost]

Totally agree with Jonny. You need to do a lot to make a car work on slicks, so unless the car is just a track car, I would stick with a good road tyre, or semi-slick if you want a bit more grip.

[Nur Links]

Fully agree with jleroux. Running slicks will drastically increase loads on your suspension, pick up points and drivetrain (LSD, etc...). So unless your car is properly prepared wear will be very high at best (serious damage is possible). Furthermore, if your car is not properly set up it is questionable if you will have serious benefit from slicks.

If you must however, some suggestions. Slicks will take about one lap to warm up if you really really try hard. This means zig zagging (is that English) over the entire track width, letting the car slide by direction changes and accellerating and braking (do not spin the wheels!). On a trackday it will probably take longer since you have to deal with traffic. Warming up also needs some practice. The trick is to have enough balls to handle the initial low grip. If you are to careful, the tyres will never heat up properly.

Optimal operating temp is between 75 and 80 degrees Celsius. Also manage pressures. For most brands optimal operating pressure is between 2.3 and 2.4 bar HOT. Adjust pressures until that value when they are at the maximum temperature you can reach (probably lower than optimal). As mentioned above: when cold slicks hardly have grip so take care!!!

[edh]

I have to agree with Porkie - even when cold, the well used slicks I have tried had masses of grip. Not so clever in the wet mind... The attraction of slicks is that they can be picked up v cheap from race teams. I suppose it's a cheaper way of going faster than buying a new car I wouldn't bother on a road car though.

For most cars A048's, Hankook v70's or similar give you a big increase in grip & are well worth trying.

[iguana]

Porkie said:

Walton said:

Remember they'll be even slippier than a hard road tyre for a few laps before warm.

I've never had a problem not running a full cage with Book-a-track, Easytrack, MSV, or Circuit Days.

few laps??!?!

only takes me 1/2 a lap to get some heat in them! probably less.

Depends on car & slick, remember used ones can be really goosed heat cyles wise but look good on the tread bars, I've had really used hard ones on Golf not mega hot day spun even after 4 laps on the only real left with cold rears, but better condition slicks hot day rwd yip 1 lap & ok to push.

I've run a slicks front, 888 rear combo before & has worked ace on wrong wheel drivers.

[Walton]

Yes - I suppose it depends on the car. In my case a Caterham, but a heavier car will get heat in much quicker.

TBH I haven't used my slicks for the last few track-days:

1) The extra forces make them tiring to drive on - where I can happily stay out for a full tank on road tyres, after 10 mins on slicks I'm knackered.
2) Much harder to slide and play with the car on the throttle.
3) Not as involving to drive - quite a few corners that previously required brake/throttle balance can be taken flat.
4) A dangerous speed differential between other traffic, and the corresponding frustration in being constantly held up.
5) Higher wear and tear on components and upgraded springs, camber etc to get the best out of them, meaning the car will handle like a pig on the road.

The above is my experience on well used slicks using road-settings. If you were to buy new, and optimise settings the above would apply even more-so.

[Rill]

Yep - obviously it depends on the length of the circuit but I don't usually need any more than a lap to get "enough" heat into a set of slicks. My car does weigh over 1300kg though.