Tread depth for roadracing
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,683
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Tread depth for roadracing
I was trying to decide if my front tires needed to be replaced before I went to a two day DE roadracing event. I have the stock F1's with about a 32nd above the tread indicator markings. Ideally, I would like to run these and replace them afterwards. How would they fair for tech. inspection, grip, and longevity?
On another note, does anyone have a good link or tips to bleeding brake lines?
On another note, does anyone have a good link or tips to bleeding brake lines?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,471
Likes: 0
From: Prosper TX
You may pass but you won't have any tread for the second day. And the bigger concern would be wet weather. If they run rain or shine, you will have to sit it out if there is more than a sprinkle. 1/32 in rain is a good way to undeersteer/hydroplane in to a wall.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 1
From: Morganton, NC, USA
I have the same concern, trying to get one more track day out of my Kumho MX's. Front tread depth is 4mm and the rear is 5mm. Kumho says to scrap the tires at 1.5mm. So, they should be good for one track day, but I'll have to really cool it if it rains. I think the best $500 option I spent on my 2k was the Active Handling.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Originally Posted by dbirdz06
I was trying to decide if my front tires needed to be replaced before I went to a two day DE roadracing event. I have the stock F1's with about a 32nd above the tread indicator markings. Ideally, I would like to run these and replace them afterwards. How would they fair for tech. inspection, grip, and longevity?
On another note, does anyone have a good link or tips to bleeding brake lines?
On another note, does anyone have a good link or tips to bleeding brake lines?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 853
Likes: 0
From: Collinsville MS
St. Jude Donor '06
I agree with the above comment that you may make it the first day, but probably not the second, and you certainly wouldnt like it in the rain.
Which DE event are you looking at... I am heading back to MSR in November for the clockwise run... Maybe I'll see you there...
Which DE event are you looking at... I am heading back to MSR in November for the clockwise run... Maybe I'll see you there...
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 5,364
Likes: 38
From: King George VA
Its been a long time since I've run a pure street tire at a DE, but agree with the others that you will likely be in the threads, particularly on the outer or inner corners, before the weekend is over. I think the answers to your questions about tech are very dependent on the group you are running the DE with and I would ask others that have run with that group, or the group itself. Grip will decrease with age, but probably insignificantly for a DE (unless it rains...). Longevity will be short: keep a close eye on both the inner and outer edges for signs of the threads showing through.
After my first DE, I broke down and bought a second set of wheels so I could use more dedicated track tires that are less expensive than the stock F1SCs (such as the Kumho Victoracers which are a good DE tire). However, this is a downhill spiral as it complicates how you get to the track, as clearly a second set of wheels and tires won't fit in the C5/Z06. Before you know it you will have a trailer, a huge pickup truck, and heck, from that point why not just weld a cage in it and go racing...
After my first DE, I broke down and bought a second set of wheels so I could use more dedicated track tires that are less expensive than the stock F1SCs (such as the Kumho Victoracers which are a good DE tire). However, this is a downhill spiral as it complicates how you get to the track, as clearly a second set of wheels and tires won't fit in the C5/Z06. Before you know it you will have a trailer, a huge pickup truck, and heck, from that point why not just weld a cage in it and go racing...
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Originally Posted by dbirdz06
I was trying to decide if my front tires needed to be replaced before I went to a two day DE roadracing event. I have the stock F1's with about a 32nd above the tread indicator markings. Ideally, I would like to run these and replace them afterwards. How would they fair for tech. inspection, grip, and longevity?
On another note, does anyone have a good link or tips to bleeding brake lines?
On another note, does anyone have a good link or tips to bleeding brake lines?
The less tread the better. Tread is only to move water away from the tire for grip in the rain. When you have TOO much tread the likelyhood of seperating the tread from the tire carcus is greater, or the causing the tread to bubble. On new treaded rubber remeber to never weave to put heat in the tire all you do is cause the tread to chunk or bunch up.
Where as if you have no to very little tread the car will handle far better as you will have more grip. Slicks have better grip as there is more rubber on the track with no tread or DOT slicks with 2/32 tread.
Now the other aspect of the tire is its age. How old is the tire?? A tires real life span no matter how many miles is about 2 years. After 2 years the rubber is TOO HARD and provides minimal grip.
Tire pressue should be about 30 PSI cold
For more info on track days or HPDEs come over to the Corvette General section under Autocross and Road racing. Lots of good info there and the Stick above will give you almost all the links you need.
Lots of good ppl there too
Originally Posted by Subdriver
After my first DE, I broke down and bought a second set of wheels so I could use more dedicated track tires that are less expensive than the stock F1SCs (such as the Kumho Victoracers which are a good DE tire). However, this is a downhill spiral as it complicates how you get to the track, as clearly a second set of wheels and tires won't fit in the C5/Z06. Before you know it you will have a trailer, a huge pickup truck, and heck, from that point why not just weld a cage in it and go racing...
Tracks time becomes an addiction, just like trying to eat ONE potato chip . . .
Last edited by AU N EGL; Sep 14, 2005 at 06:33 PM.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,683
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
The tires have about 24k on them right now, they're the stock tires that came on my '02 unless the guy before me replaced them. But I hope not since I bought the car with 4900 miles. The tires are well over the 2 years you mention but I am planning on running these as long as they will last. Hopefully through the weekend. Being my first DE experience, I will likely not know the difference in a perfect tire and a good tire, but we will see. I think I will have a blast one way or another!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,683
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Originally Posted by VETLAGD
I agree with the above comment that you may make it the first day, but probably not the second, and you certainly wouldnt like it in the rain.
Which DE event are you looking at... I am heading back to MSR in November for the clockwise run... Maybe I'll see you there...
Which DE event are you looking at... I am heading back to MSR in November for the clockwise run... Maybe I'll see you there...
)
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,639
Likes: 39
From: Winston-Salem North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Originally Posted by AU N EGL
1/32 is PERFECT The less tread the better. Tread is only to move water away from the tire for grip in the rain.
When you have TOO much tread the likelyhood of seperating the tread from the tire carcus is greater, or the causing the tread to bubble. On new treaded rubber remeber to never weave to put heat in the tire all you do is cause the tread to chunk or bunch up.
Where as if you have no to very little tread the car will handle far better as you will have more grip. Slicks have better grip as there is more rubber on the track with no tread or DOT slicks with 2/32 tread.
Now the other aspect of the tire is its age. How old is the tire?? A tires real life span no matter how many miles is about 2 years. After 2 years the rubber is TOO HARD and provides minimal grip.
Tire pressue should be about 30 PSI cold
For more info on track days or HPDEs come over to the Corvette General section under Autocross and Road racing. Lots of good info there and the Stick above will give you almost all the links you need.
Lots of good ppl there too
Tracks time becomes an addiction, just like trying to eat ONE potato chip . . .
The less tread the better. Tread is only to move water away from the tire for grip in the rain. When you have TOO much tread the likelyhood of seperating the tread from the tire carcus is greater, or the causing the tread to bubble. On new treaded rubber remeber to never weave to put heat in the tire all you do is cause the tread to chunk or bunch up.
Where as if you have no to very little tread the car will handle far better as you will have more grip. Slicks have better grip as there is more rubber on the track with no tread or DOT slicks with 2/32 tread.
Now the other aspect of the tire is its age. How old is the tire?? A tires real life span no matter how many miles is about 2 years. After 2 years the rubber is TOO HARD and provides minimal grip.
Tire pressue should be about 30 PSI cold
For more info on track days or HPDEs come over to the Corvette General section under Autocross and Road racing. Lots of good info there and the Stick above will give you almost all the links you need.
Lots of good ppl there too
Tracks time becomes an addiction, just like trying to eat ONE potato chip . . .so i guess i should leave my tires on and put the new ones on the car when i get back?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Originally Posted by GeorgeZNJ
so i guess i should leave my tires on and put the new ones on the car when i get back?
Put your new tires on when you get back.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 853
Likes: 0
From: Collinsville MS
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by dbirdz06
I will be at Texas World Speedway in College Station, Tx. Not sure that it's very close to you...I'll have to pass on the MSR (I don't even know what that stands for )
)Jason
My signature photo is from Motorsport Ranch....
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
Likes: 1
From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
I agree with "Au n Egl" above. As food for thought, most races (i.e., Nascar) run with tires that are between 2 to 3/32 of tread depth only. A racing team will typically go through up to 15 sets of tires over a race weekend. Again, in this specific example, the lower tread depth provides better traction and performance on the race track. Enjoy, and, be safe. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 51
From: How the hell can I make it faster???
Heat cycled too many times??? That would be my number one concern. Did you start off with shaved tires??? Just be careful after warming them up, you wouldn't want to find out too late (off the track at turn one!) that your tires are way past their prime.
I use to run R1's, and when unshaved tires got down to your tire's depth, they slid tremendously.
I use to run R1's, and when unshaved tires got down to your tire's depth, they slid tremendously.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Always take a lap to lap and half to warm up your tires.
Tires that I have run in the past and how much use I got out of them
Mich PS 10 weekends and still have tread remaining. My first 10 DEs.
Hoosier GACs 4 weekends
Good Year Eagle G19 R480s 5 weekeds a set
Good Year Eagle G19 R 370s 1 weekend ( Very soft compound)
Hoosier VRL 4 weekends a set.
The Hoosiers and Good Years are full slicks
The Mich PS were great the Hoosier GACs had 10 times the grip as the Mich, the GOOD Year G19s were twice the grip and the Hoosier GACs and the Hoosier VRLs are about the same as the Good Year G19s
I use the Hoosier VRLs now.
The longer the tire lasts the less grip it will have, so there are trade offs.
Be safe out there
Tires that I have run in the past and how much use I got out of them
Mich PS 10 weekends and still have tread remaining. My first 10 DEs.
Hoosier GACs 4 weekends
Good Year Eagle G19 R480s 5 weekeds a set
Good Year Eagle G19 R 370s 1 weekend ( Very soft compound)
Hoosier VRL 4 weekends a set.
The Hoosiers and Good Years are full slicks
The Mich PS were great the Hoosier GACs had 10 times the grip as the Mich, the GOOD Year G19s were twice the grip and the Hoosier GACs and the Hoosier VRLs are about the same as the Good Year G19s
I use the Hoosier VRLs now.
The longer the tire lasts the less grip it will have, so there are trade offs.
Be safe out there