GoatHead

Considering going to another HPDE event in VIR and I have to make a decision. I am hesitant, however, because the temp is going to be in the low 30F - 40F and possible rain.

How the stock MSS ZP tires perform in cold weather, and is it a good idea for a green horn to do an event in the cold?

Thanks,

BrunoTheMellow

You'll be fine as long as you give them plenty of time to warm up. As long as it's dry.

Oh4GTO

I ran them in the rain in 45 degree weather. Keep them at 30 PSI for the rain, you'll never build enough heat. That same day it dried up and I took them down to 26 PSI. They got up to 34 PSI. The car performs fantastic in both. Don't be scared of wet/rain. It will teach you a lot about smoothness and the limits of the car. Use the proper PTM and go have fun.

Bill Dearborn

Just take it easy in the first few corners and pick the speed up on the straights. Don't try and drag race out of the pits. That is a good place to put the car sideways in a narrow opening if you are too aggressive on the throttle. If you have an M7 put the car in 4th gear and leave it there as a novice you don't need to run any other gear. Once you get some experience you won't need anything more than 3rd, 4th and maybe a shot of 5th on the long straights. Speed is what gets your tires warm, but you don't want to push it in the corners until you get the tires warm. On the back straight come off the Oak Tree corner and easily accelerate up over 100 mph. 120 is a good number to shoot for. Then brake easily for the down hill corners after the straight. Get speed up on the front straight as well. Next lap around bring speed up more. You should be able to get the tires up to a good temp within 3 or 4 laps.

Bill

GoatHead

Thanks, as always guys.

Unfortunately, I lost my opportunity. A slot became available and I procrastinated.

My concern was the combination of cold and potential rain. My previous HPDE, which was the first for me, it rained almost the entire second day. I put the car on PTM weather on forth gear, like Bill advised, and the car performed flawlessly. It gave me the opportunity to focus on my lines. However, the temp was in the 50F.

In the upcoming event, that I was interested to attend, temperature is foretasted to be in the low 30F-40F with chance of rain. I have to drive to the track at 5:00AM, that mean in sub freezing weather on rural roads. I was nervous about that as well.

I have to wait till Spring....

Oh4GTO

I have driven on the street with my PSS down to freezing. They are nowhere near as bad as people claim. Did some testing with evasive maneuvers and hard braking and to be honest, after driving for 10 minutes they behaved the way they normally do. You wont notice much difference unless you are driving like a hooligan.

village idiot

rain is fine- it's actually a good way to learn
cold is fine- it just takes an extra lap to heat up the tires
cold and rain is miserable imo.

track driving is very different than street driving.

Oh4GTO

I know. I've done both in the cold and rain. See above.

Poor-sha

I agree. I've never had luck getting heat in to the MPSS on a cold wet track day. VIR is also extra treacherous because the sealer that is down in many corners is extra grippy when dry but very slick when wet. Those surface changes are really tough when you already have cold wet conditions.

badhabit_wb

Going up the weekend after Thanksgiving. It should be interesting...

L82Brake

I have never enjoyed either cold or the rain. Even after 10 or so years of HPDE. It just isn't fun to me.

lobsterroboto

Driving in sub-optimal conditions mean you'll drive better in optimal conditions.

I love the track so I'm a little biased, I go at every opportunity regardless of weather.

You should go when it's cold and raining and all you have is cycled out slicks. If you can dodge a wrench you can dodge a ball!

X25

I'm honestly not sure if cold weather necessarily means not ideal. Most tires overheat at hot temps, and cold temps help with that, not to mention higher hp from your car, since air is denser, and cooling works more efficient. Keep in mind, when GM did 2:45 at VIR with C7 Z06, the temp was in the 40s.

badhabit_wb

I hold up better in the cold than I do in the hot. July and August are killers.

Oh4GTO

When I was at the Glen, it was 45 and no sun and the PSS still got greasy. We were doing 20-25 minute sessions.