ShahulX

So it went from saying low 50's to upper 30's for a track day I have tomorrow.. on Cup 2's .. my 1st session will probably be in the 20's..

Should I just go out in Track but not Dry1/2 like normal? Im worried I wont have the grip..

village idiot

I've used them in the low 40s. It just takes a lap or two and they'll warm up. In the 20's? Geeze- you might actually damage the tire.

Also, keep in mind that if there are any long straights, the tires will cool off between turns

ShahulX

damage the tire? you think so?

My 1st run will be high 20's...rest of the day should be high 30's low 40's.. guess I'll take it easy.. was planning on being very ginger the 1st session anyways.. I havent been to a cold track day in a couple years.,..normally its 90 degrees and Im dying of deydration

village idiot

Literally, just street driving can damage the tires at those temps. They are going to have crazy low levels of traction at 20 degrees

ShahulX

eesh, ok thanks, i'll be good

fleming23

Cup 2s can actually crack in cold temperatures.

Just one example
https://www.torquenews.com/106/miche...-move-car-cold

MX621

EdsC6Z06

I'm scheduled for a track day next Sunday on R7's. Temps have struggled to make 40's here lately. That and back to back snow/slush storms. Really wondering why I thought a March date would be a good idea? Hopefully we catch a nice day or it's a blizzard and I get credit toward another day.

Quickshift_C5

It's actually not too bad. It was 28F on the last track day last year with R888R's. It took a few laps to get some heat in the tires, but once I did...it felt no different than an 80F day. In fact, I set a new personal best on that track that day. A buddy of mine on slicks had the same experience. However, my friend in his Sprite racecar just couldn't get any heat in his slicks whatsoever in his 1300lb little thing.

I was a little worried about cracking and issues as well, but it turned out to be just fine. But, as far as cracking goes...not everyone may have the same experience. Myself, and all of my friends...had no issues.

In fact, the cold made little difference to anything. I was still able to run oil temps up (no cooler) to 278-280F easily. I didn't see over that though, where I usually hit 295-300F in several laps.

Bill Dearborn

As long as the temps aren't in the low 20s (20, 21) you should be fine. Put the car in Track Wet Mode while the tires are cold. It will take 4 or 5 laps to get them up to temperature and the best way to do that is once you come off a turn gently but briskly accelerate up to over 100 mph on the longer straights. The fastest way to heat a tire is driving at high speed because the high rate of tire flex causes the tire's internal friction to heat the tire. Brake hard but not too hard when coming up to the next turn and corner at a lower speed than you would normally use. As you drive the tires will heat and you will feel the grip coming up as you make your turn in as you will get less under steer. PTM Wet will keep you from over using the throttle and reduce the chance of breaking the rear tires loose as you accelerate smoothly off the corner. Just like driving in the rain the word is SMOOOOOOTH in all car inputs steering, throttle and brakes.

Once the tires are up to temperature move your driving mode to Track Sport 1 mode.

Bill

rb185afm

Make sure you keep your oil up to temp. At those temps, I’m guessing the drive through the hot pits won’t be enough.