RE: Day In The Life: The Tyre Tester
Discussion
HDM said:
That's interesting, and a good point, I must admit (naively in hindsight) that you guys would be dressed in civvies, much like the testers you seen in car magazines, but I guess, just like any person in a high risk job, be it a fireman, high rise construction worker, etc, you'll be kitted out in safety gear suitable for the job. What training did you get especially, or is this just your motorsport experiences?
Cheers
Strictly speaking, the 'Ring itself doesn't impose any specific clothing requirements, but any responsible person/company wears proper clothing, especially considering the majority of cars run cages and are often fairly ratty hacks that are by the very nature still in development. Of course traffic is much less of an issue on industry pools and in general there's less of a talent difference, so closing speeds are a bit more sensible!Cheers
There are a number of different levels of training you need to do to drive at the 'Ring (with similar proceedures at other manufacturers from what I understand). There are some general limit handling courses we need to do to do general proving ground testing and then you also have a few days intensive training with a Nurburgring vetran.
Edited by ArosaMike on Friday 4th November 11:40
Just goes to show the job of a tester is not all glamour. Miles and miles (even round the ring in a M3) are still just miles and miles. What strikes me is the bit about having to be professionally consistent. Doing the same thing on every corner every time, and probably being able to relate the minute differences between each corner on each lap to the pointy headed ones with the laptops and winebottle specs back in the pits.
I wonder what tele-metrology goes on? do they wire the cars for all the accelerations, Ts and Ps like F1? or rely on the tester's seat of the pants?
I'm reading the biography of a test pilot at the moment (Vulcan Test Pilot, Tony Blackman). I bought it thinking it would be a tale of derring do and high excitement - and actually the bloke has the brain the size of a planet, is a multi-qualified engineering scientist and it's full of tales of repeating the same test (on yaw damping, autopilot behaviour, measuring the altimeter friction, static pressure errors (which cause errors in measuring hight and airspeed respectively), engine surges...stifles another yawn.) multiple times to ensure the product is safe, predictable and does what it says on the tin, when joe public (that's you and me for tyres) get their hands on the manufactured product. I salute them all, in all their thoroughness!
The funniest anecdote so far is about Roly Falk, one of the early Vulcan test Pilots. He did all his test flying in a pin striped suit. He reckoned the jet should be as clean as his car...no hans, fireproofs, or even bone dome for him.
I've just taken some old, worn Avons off my 911. They gave sterling service, never ever let me down and were actually very good, as far as I could tell - I'm no expert or racer. Next tyre change I might return to their fold. They sounds proper to me.
I wonder what tele-metrology goes on? do they wire the cars for all the accelerations, Ts and Ps like F1? or rely on the tester's seat of the pants?
I'm reading the biography of a test pilot at the moment (Vulcan Test Pilot, Tony Blackman). I bought it thinking it would be a tale of derring do and high excitement - and actually the bloke has the brain the size of a planet, is a multi-qualified engineering scientist and it's full of tales of repeating the same test (on yaw damping, autopilot behaviour, measuring the altimeter friction, static pressure errors (which cause errors in measuring hight and airspeed respectively), engine surges...stifles another yawn.) multiple times to ensure the product is safe, predictable and does what it says on the tin, when joe public (that's you and me for tyres) get their hands on the manufactured product. I salute them all, in all their thoroughness!
The funniest anecdote so far is about Roly Falk, one of the early Vulcan test Pilots. He did all his test flying in a pin striped suit. He reckoned the jet should be as clean as his car...no hans, fireproofs, or even bone dome for him.
I've just taken some old, worn Avons off my 911. They gave sterling service, never ever let me down and were actually very good, as far as I could tell - I'm no expert or racer. Next tyre change I might return to their fold. They sounds proper to me.
It's a shame the reputation Avon have in certain circles! I have changed more sets of wheels over at a Mercedes dealership to prove that it was tyres at fault, not the car, and worst offender? Avons. Going out of shape, giving nervous, twitchy handling...Even Primewell budget-bar-of-soap-in-the-wet specials were better...!! Funny thing is, it's a name so many people have heard of, so PR/marketing are doing their job well, hence the popularity.
It's funny when you tell the E500/CLS320/SL owner that Avon tyres are pants!
It's funny when you tell the E500/CLS320/SL owner that Avon tyres are pants!
tombstone said:
It's a shame the reputation Avon have in certain circles! I have changed more sets of wheels over at a Mercedes dealership to prove that it was tyres at fault, not the car, and worst offender? Avons. Going out of shape, giving nervous, twitchy handling...Even Primewell budget-bar-of-soap-in-the-wet specials were better...!! Funny thing is, it's a name so many people have heard of, so PR/marketing are doing their job well, hence the popularity.
It's funny when you tell the E500/CLS320/SL owner that Avon tyres are pants!
Surely if this is a Mercedes dealership though you should only be fitting factory approved tyres? All manufacturers will test on a limited number of tyres and these are the only ones the factory will supply. Avon aren't usually an OEM supplier, so I'd be surprised if Mercedes use them. Quite possible I'm wrong though.It's funny when you tell the E500/CLS320/SL owner that Avon tyres are pants!
Just because the tyre has issues on one manufacturer or model doesn't necessarily mean they're a bad tyre though. All tyres can be sensitive to specific camber or toe settings, and if it hasn't been approved officially for use on that car, you have to accept a certain possibility of issues with it. Even an off the shelf Dunlop or Continental will be a different compound to an OEM supplied one. If you really want to ensure factory grip/handling, you'd have to order your tyres through your OEM dealership!
jamespink said:
Has anyone tried Avon ZZ3 tyres? I bought some for my M5 after using Goodyear F1s and it has transformed the car. In a bad way! I have been used to utterly stable handling with the F1'S but with the ZZ3's. Its fidgety and it wanders with many more heart in mouth moments. The tyres just feel "blocky" and squirmy. I understand they are new (2000 miles so far) but they are not at all confidence inspiring! Also the traction control light is on FAR more often. That just did not happen anything like as much with the F1s. Not Good, NOT GOOD AT ALL!
I tried a set on my 4th gen Z28 back in 2002 and didn't like them at all.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff