TRACKDAY : Tyres (for 18" wheels)

[v-rex]

We’ve got a thread running for Silverstone GP 2nd November, sounds right up your street!

Over 10 people paid up so far so plenty of reference and lots of chat to be had, it’s shaping up to be a good one.

What karting are you doing, Club 100?


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Was looking at the Silverstone one and saw it still had space. Let me check dates and maybe book in for that one tomorrow. Looks like a good turn out already.

Yes Club 100 sprints. I'll put my calendar up at some point. They are a bit funny at the mo with spectators but hopefully should open up after lockdown lifts and would be good to meet people if they want to come watch. I can sign in two spectators currently for races.

[v-rex]

Some updates on the tyres. I ran the rainsports with 35 psi yesterday and they felt better. There was certainly grip there ( enough to embarrass an M3 on a long corner ) but still felt a bit vague and had a little trouble holding the line at speed. There was a fair wind at times yesterday so some of the sideways movement could have been due to that.

Anyway tyres with Federals are at the wheel refurbers and I should get them later this week. They will check the tyres over as well and then hopefully all will be good and I can try out these bad boys over the summer. My demon Tweeks order for tyre softener should be coming this week as well...

Some comments online about tyre softener being quite smelly? Is that for all brands? Anyone tried the demon Tweeks one and know of the smell? I store the tyres at my in-laws garage so don't want to stink out their garage after they've been gracious enough to let me use it.

[Conan]

I bought some from demon tweekes many years ago
I think it may smell a bit as you put it on but don’t recall it being bad once dry.
Put the wheels in big black bags and tape up if concerned
You could use a surform or rough file to remove the tiny layer of hard rubber on the tyres before coating if you want.
I used a paint brush putting it on quickly in several areas and then working it in together with each dip of the brush if you get what I mean. Multiple coats are good. I ran 32psi on track, 30 on the road.
I removed the bolts from the rear seats and left them out which enabled me to remove the rear seats in one min
You can sit 4 wheels + tyres in the back. Tyre carriers for around £30 are really good.
Pete

[v-rex]

I bought some from demon tweekes many years ago
I think it may smell a bit as you put it on but don’t recall it being bad once dry.
Put the wheels in big black bags and tape up if concerned
You could use a surform or rough file to remove the tiny layer of hard rubber on the tyres before coating if you want.
I used a paint brush putting it on quickly in several areas and then working it in together with each dip of the brush if you get what I mean. Multiple coats are good. I ran 32psi on track, 30 on the road.
I removed the bolts from the rear seats and left them out which enabled me to remove the rear seats in one min
You can sit 4 wheels + tyres in the back. Tyre carriers for around £30 are really good.
Pete

Thanks very much Conan. Lots of very useful information in there. Can't wait to use these !!

[PJ_Parsons]

I do most of my track days in the winter months due to work schedule and lower prices. I’ve found that semi slicks like the NS2R still work in cold dry conditions but with a wet or slippy track they just won’t heat up and have no grip. To cut a long story short, I have been using Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersports and have found them to be amazing, They are a cross between semi slick and road tyre and have a stiffer than normal tyre wall, but more compliant than a semi slick. In the dry, they give little if anything away to the NS2R’s. It’s wet and greasy conditions they excel though. My car, on PZ suspension runs rings round most cars in the wet. They are A rated in the wet and can work even in very low temperatures. On the road, they are firmer than normal tyres but work very well, wet or dry, hot or cold. These tyres save the faff of swapping wheels for track days, carrying spare wheels and swapping back and forth as the weather changes, They are a great fit and forget option for anyone who uses their car for the road and several track days each year. Cost was £400, not bad.

I will never go back to semi slicks. Max performance road tyres are the way to go for me. Bridgestone, have just released the Potenza Sport, which is also angled towards regular track days.

[v-rex]

I will never go back to semi slicks. Max performance road tyres are the way to go for me. Bridgestone, have just released the Potenza Sport, which is also angled towards regular track days.

Very interesting. I've had my eye on the Potenza Sports ever since I heard about them a couple of weeks ago. They look awesome and get great reviews.

I did find a nail in the Federals but the tyre refurbers said they can repair as its in the main tread. I've asked the refurbers to check them over for any other issues as well. If they find any issues the sports are being ordered and put on for sure.

I don't want to waste perfectly good tyres but part of me almost wants them to find something wrong so I can get these.

[PJ_Parsons]

The Potenza Sport does look good, but I’ve never tried them as they are very new. Do consider the Goodyear Supersport though as they work well in all circumstances. Who knows if the Bridgestones like cold, wet conditions. The ones that came with the car when it was new certainly didn’t. But if you do go for the Potenza, then tell us about it. I feel that things have moved on a bit in the tyre world and Sessanta, NS2R and 595RSR, traditional choices are no longer the way to go.

[v-rex]

The Potenza Sport does look good, but I’ve never tried them as they are very new. Do consider the Goodyear Supersport though as they work well in all circumstances. Who knows if the Bridgestones like cold, wet conditions. The ones that came with the car when it was new certainly didn’t. But if you do go for the Potenza, then tell us about it. I feel that things have moved on a bit in the tyre world and Sessanta, NS2R and 595RSR, traditional choices are no longer the way to go.

Yes good point. I'll consider the goodyears as well, as a tried and tested formula.

[v-rex]

So.... got tyres back from refurbers today. Bit annoyed as they didn't tell me there were any issues but when I got there they said the tyre that had the nail in it is not holding air and I need to prob change the tyre. They said get it checked with tyre peeps....

So took it there and the tyre person said not repairing that as tyre is out of shape, and cracks etc. Need a new tyre.

On top of that I graunched my current alloys a little on a kerb going through a tight width restriction going to the tyre shop. It's been one of those days ...

Potenza sports have been ordered as I really want to try these and they say are due to arrive by friday. 235 40 18 95Y XL. Not my usual tyre place but gets good reviews and up the road from me so hopefully all is good. They did worry me a bit when they said they were worried about damaging my alloys as they change the tyre, but hopefully they were just covering their behinds !! Eek.

They said they are happy to switch the tyres over when I go, so I'll get the centre caps put in today so the silicone sets nicely by friday and then I'll switch the alloys over and put up some pics. In the meantime a taster....

[ChrisHolmes]

Don’t fit the centre caps with silicone as the tyre place will be knocking them out to mount the wheels on the balancing machine.

[v-rex]

Don’t fit the centre caps with silicone as the tyre place will be knocking them out to mount the wheels on the balancing machine.

This is why I like this club.

Noted and I'll save it for after they've fitted. Thanks very much

[v-rex]

So.... Got the bridgestones fitted and got home and checking the front right it was flat. I thought did the tyre guys forget to pump one up? So I pumped up and flat again within a few minutes.

So pumped up the tyre again and got it to the tyre peeps and they diagnosed it was the valve not sitting in the tyre properly. So refit it and all was good.

So question now is were Federals ok and this was the prob all along? Must say I've not been very impressed with the tyre refurb place this time around, for a number of these sorts of reasons. Anyway it's done now and looking forward to trying these out, guess will take a few 100 miles do scrub in before I can really use them to their fullest. Can't wait and will report back how I find these.

Uniroyals packed away for next winter.

[Ranjan]

I have been driving round Route 1 today in an MGB today on Rainsport 3 and one thing I have learned, they are bloody noisy when locked up; the whole island must have heard me. Did it more than once.

Ranjan.

[Conan]

An MGB doesn’t have any driver aids ( info for the younger listeners )

[ChrisHolmes]

I have been driving round Route 1 today in an MGB today on Rainsport 3 and one thing I have learned, they are bloody noisy when locked up; the whole island must have heard me. Did it more than once.

Ranjan.

I think this is just a Hawaii thing.

Watch any episode of the original Hawaii Five-O TV series and they would have the tyres squealing driving over the beach

For years we used to call the sound of tortured tyres "McGarretts" after Steve McGarrett, and if it went on long enough there was always someone that would shout "Book Him Danno"!

[Ranjan]

I have been driving round Route 1 today in an MGB today on Rainsport 3 and one thing I have learned, they are bloody noisy when locked up; the whole island must have heard me. Did it more than once.

Ranjan.

I think this is just a Hawaii thing.

Come on Dave, I thought at least you would know where Route 1 is

Ranjan.

[warpc0il]

California
Hawaii
Iceland
...

[v-rex]

I have been driving round Route 1 today in an MGB today on Rainsport 3 and one thing I have learned, they are bloody noisy when locked up; the whole island must have heard me. Did it more than once.

Ranjan.

The poor little sharks on the tyre tread must have been squealing ...

[v-rex]

Just a note on the Bridgestones Sports. So far still scrubbing them in so only put a few 100 miles on them but already liking them. Seem to hold the grip in fast corners and I can get the car to turn in with the slightest of steering tweaks. So liking them so far but I think there is more grip to come.

And I have yet to see a rainy day in them which might be their Achilles heel....

[Ranjan]

California
Hawaii
Iceland
...

Ok, you Google'd that, now pick one

Ranjan.

[ChrisHolmes]

I would go for Long Beach

[New Duke]

I'm guessing the PCH. Thanks for making me miss Malibu even more Ranjan.

DAMMIT LET ME IN BIDEN!!!

(I think the Rainsport 5 is a big improvement over the Rainsport 3, even in hot weather, if you get a chance to try those)

[New Duke]

(I think the Rainsport 5 is a big improvement over the Rainsport 3, even in hot weather, if you get a chance to try those)

Are you trying to sneak this thread back on topic?

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[GreySilver Beast]

Steering this topic back on track , can we please keep this thread to track tyres if at all possible

Many thanks everyone

Events Team

[Ranjan]

I'm guessing the PCH. Thanks for making me miss Malibu even more Ranjan.

DAMMIT LET ME IN BIDEN!!!

(I think the Rainsport 5 is a big improvement over the Rainsport 3, even in hot weather, if you get a chance to try those)

Haydn,

PCH would have been lovely this time of year but I am in Iceland, it was lovely yesterday but it has rained all day today.

Back on topic for Dave ; the Rainsport 3 was actually grippier than the 5's, they had a soft compound outer edge which is why they squeal so much under lockup, but buyers started to complain that the edges were wearing down faster than the middle so the 5's now have the same lower grip compound all over.

Ranjan.