Tyre pyrometers

[ambrose]

Dear all,

does anybody use tyre pyrometers on track days? They seem fairly inexpensive (£30+) and presumably enable you to set tyre pressures properly.

I'm wondering whether to get one, and if so which one?

cheers,
Chris (ambrose)

[ambrose]

flemke said:

At anything short of the F1 level, you will get more information out of reading the tyre surface to see how you are using it. One of the Carroll Smith books (Drive to Win, chapter 3) has excellent photographs demonstrating how to interpret tyre surfaces. >> Edited by flemke on Monday 6th June 23:54

I realise that - you measure at three points across the tyre. Hotter in the middle = pressure too high. Hotter at the outside = pressure too low.

Is this not a valuable aid to setting tyre pressures? I've only done two track days and none in my present car (944 turbo) - I'm thinking mostly that it is going to help me care for the tyres.

[ambrose]

Hmm... well food for thought. As a cheapo beginner track-day type bod I was primarily concerned with tyre life. As quipped, I don't think tyre temperature is the primary determinate of my speed.

As pointed out I guess (had I thought about it) it would be overall temp that would be important. However, if remedial action is not clear from general overheating... that may not be much use.

But anyway for 30quid it seems entertaining....

Cheers,
Chris