Repaired tyres - speed rating? Trackdays?
Discussion
I had this plan: buy a spare set of rims and run older tyres with little tread on them at the track. Thus reducing the cost of track days and ensuring I always had a good set for the road/wet weather. However, it seems almost impossible to buy 'perfect' used tyres.
So... some questions arise...
Recently I've been bought an old set of rims with an apparently excellent set of SO2 on them. The other day I noticed a little rubber plug in one.
What happens to the speed rating and general safety of tyres after they'be been puncture repaired? Does it drop? Are they safe for track day use?
A short while earlier I purchased a set of worn front tyres to do track days with. One turned out to be flawed, causing bad vibration at 70mph. At the place I went to, many of the tyres had nails in them, or looked dodgy in one way or another. I missed this problem however.
I wonder, should I just bite the bullet and buy new tyres? Is there a practical way to do this?
Chris
1986 944T 220.
So... some questions arise...
Recently I've been bought an old set of rims with an apparently excellent set of SO2 on them. The other day I noticed a little rubber plug in one.
What happens to the speed rating and general safety of tyres after they'be been puncture repaired? Does it drop? Are they safe for track day use?
A short while earlier I purchased a set of worn front tyres to do track days with. One turned out to be flawed, causing bad vibration at 70mph. At the place I went to, many of the tyres had nails in them, or looked dodgy in one way or another. I missed this problem however.
I wonder, should I just bite the bullet and buy new tyres? Is there a practical way to do this?
Chris
1986 944T 220.
As you have already bought a set of S02's why not use them on the road and use your current road tyres for the track....
However, would echo using tyres of unknown history from someone I didn't know.
I had one big pucture and had to replace a pair then later had another repairable puncture and was faced with a £10 repair or total replacement as I can't get even a pair of Dunlop SSR's anymore - so I opted for the repair.... I always keep a close eye on pressures so I'll stick with them - won't take that long to wear 'em all out anyway.
Some people would not risk using plugged tyres at high speed but it was a tiny hole and the compound is soft so should hold a small plug ok.
However, would echo using tyres of unknown history from someone I didn't know.
I had one big pucture and had to replace a pair then later had another repairable puncture and was faced with a £10 repair or total replacement as I can't get even a pair of Dunlop SSR's anymore - so I opted for the repair.... I always keep a close eye on pressures so I'll stick with them - won't take that long to wear 'em all out anyway.
Some people would not risk using plugged tyres at high speed but it was a tiny hole and the compound is soft so should hold a small plug ok.
It really depends what you are going to track days for. If it`s just to sit and chat in the pit lane, do the occasional lap, have a plate of chips at lunch and a can of pop in the afternoon then sell the spare wheels on ebay and just potter round on your road tyres.
If you want to push both yourself and the car and learn more about it`s / your abilities then stop being silly and buy some proper trackday tyres such as Michelin pilot Sport Cup, Pirelli Corsa, or Dunlop D01 / D02 (my personal favourites). There is no use in buying old tyres at the end of their life with unknown history then pushing them to the absolute limit. At best your car will handle like shit, at worst you`ll be paying a visit to our old friend Mr Bodyshop.
Imagine your car was in fact a motorcycle. What would you do then ?
Just because it`s got 4 wheels not 2 the rules are still the same !
Once fitted with good rubber you can start to identify problems and correct them. With crappy tyres it`s like exploring the internet using a black & white 14 inch telly and a Sinclair ZX Spectrum.
Just my 2 bob`s worth.
Keep smiling & have fun.
Henry
If you want to push both yourself and the car and learn more about it`s / your abilities then stop being silly and buy some proper trackday tyres such as Michelin pilot Sport Cup, Pirelli Corsa, or Dunlop D01 / D02 (my personal favourites). There is no use in buying old tyres at the end of their life with unknown history then pushing them to the absolute limit. At best your car will handle like shit, at worst you`ll be paying a visit to our old friend Mr Bodyshop.
Imagine your car was in fact a motorcycle. What would you do then ?
Just because it`s got 4 wheels not 2 the rules are still the same !
Once fitted with good rubber you can start to identify problems and correct them. With crappy tyres it`s like exploring the internet using a black & white 14 inch telly and a Sinclair ZX Spectrum.
Just my 2 bob`s worth.
Keep smiling & have fun.
Henry
Chris, personally I would not be happy using unknown, worn, maybe damaged tyres during a trackday.
I would buy some proper track tyres for your spare rims, it's worth it in the long run. They will last much longer than road tyres, give amazing grip (in the dry) and disguise the abilities of an average driver
You can fit 4 wheels and tyres in the boot of a 944, so if it is wet you can just use your road tyres which will hardly wear at all in the rain. If you can find the right sizes (getting harder in standard 16" then full race slicks can be had for well under £100 each and really open up the potential of your car.
Get proper instruction before you start using super grippy tyres, their breakaway properties are quite different to road tyres
I would buy some proper track tyres for your spare rims, it's worth it in the long run. They will last much longer than road tyres, give amazing grip (in the dry) and disguise the abilities of an average driver
You can fit 4 wheels and tyres in the boot of a 944, so if it is wet you can just use your road tyres which will hardly wear at all in the rain. If you can find the right sizes (getting harder in standard 16"
then full race slicks can be had for well under £100 each and really open up the potential of your car. Get proper instruction before you start using super grippy tyres, their breakaway properties are quite different to road tyres
Thanks guys,
nobody seems in favour of taking risks!
Henry F makes a good point about pottering. On my recent visit to donnington I established that being over 30, having put a couple of cars into ditches/cliff walls over the years (many years ago, Mr Insurance Man!), and having the most powerful and most expensive car (previous track day was done in a free, yes, free XR4x4) I ever owned all add up to a rather cautious driver! So my seriousness on the track has yet to be established and tyre wear was not really an issue on this one day.
However, before I go and shell out for some new tyres, what about some high performance re-treads like colway?
Chris/amobrose
nobody seems in favour of taking risks!
Henry F makes a good point about pottering. On my recent visit to donnington I established that being over 30, having put a couple of cars into ditches/cliff walls over the years (many years ago, Mr Insurance Man!), and having the most powerful and most expensive car (previous track day was done in a free, yes, free XR4x4) I ever owned all add up to a rather cautious driver! So my seriousness on the track has yet to be established and tyre wear was not really an issue on this one day.
However, before I go and shell out for some new tyres, what about some high performance re-treads like colway?
Chris/amobrose
You said you've got the most powerful expensive car you have ever owned and you are cautious so stick your hand in your pocket and get a decent set of tyres!! Don't take the risk, for the sake of a few quid.
However, if you are still learning, your road tyres will be fine, then when you want a bit more get some decent rubber and some decent instruction.
However, if you are still learning, your road tyres will be fine, then when you want a bit more get some decent rubber and some decent instruction.
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