13 replies to this topic

[Jim Venable]

Certainly tires wear at different rates depending on the track surface and number of right and left hand turns. As a general rule, what manner of tire rotation works best to get the most out of a set of tires?

Front to Back Corner to Corner Left to Right Right to Left

After Each Cycle After A Race Weekend

Does the rotation matter between RA1 and Hoosier?

It is my understanding the RA1 and Hoosier can be mounted and run in either direction. Please correct me if that is not so.

If so, does it matter if the tire is flipped from side to side or is it best to flip by remounting?

Thanks again,
Jim

[Glenn]

Certainly tires wear at different rates depending on the track surface and number of right and left hand turns. As a general rule, what manner of tire rotation works best to get the most out of a set of tires?

Front to Back Corner to Corner Left to Right Right to Left

After Each Cycle After A Race Weekend

Does the rotation matter between RA1 and Hoosier?

It is my understanding the RA1 and Hoosier can be mounted and run in either direction. Please correct me if that is not so.

If so, does it matter if the tire is flipped from side to side or is it best to flip by remounting?

Thanks again,
Jim

The short answer is "depends" Yes both can be flipped (unless you are using RA1 as rains) as they are unidirectional. F/R...S/S....LF/RR all can and do get used depending on the track, driver, tire condition, etc. Your "best bet" is get with some of the local guys and discuss what they are doing with theirs.

[Roger Caddell]

I understand moving and flipping the tires around for longer life and we did it but... we always seen lap times slow and driver complaints go up. It makes sense to me that this would happen.

Have you seen decent lap times/speed after moving/flipping tires? We did not.

[Jim Drago]

I criss/cross tires all the time. LF>>>RR RR>>>LF RF>>>LR LR>>>RF. I did so with Toyos, did so with Hoosiers. I have never had any ill effects. In case you haven't noticed.., drivers always complain or have issue with the car unless on pole, Then, they still complain, just not as much

I might be a little concerned running 5-6 sessions in one way, then rotating. But I usually do 2 sessions max at a time like this and have never had an issue

Jim

[MPR22]

In my experience best if flipped by remounting. But I'm too cheap to do that at every race so I follow the same cross pattern Drago mentioned. When the local tire vendor charges $100 to flp and rebalance at the track I go with the next best thing.

[Keith Novak]

Flipping tires can be beneficial if you have lower camber numbers like pre-fat cats or a suspension issue. Tires can wear very unevenly across the tread so I found I could get quite a bit more useful life out of them by flipping them on the rims even if they weren't the fastest.

If you're only running 2.5* of camber and getting lots of camber wear you're already not at an ideal setup but that doesn't mean you can't still have a bit of fun.

[AJ Roderick]

In my experience best if flipped by remounting. But I'm too cheap to do that at every race so I follow the same cross pattern Drago mentioned. When the local tire vendor charges $100 to flp and rebalance at the track I go with the next best thing.

Well with all the money your saving but not have the local tire vendor do it, you can just buy your own machines right?

[Glenn]

We saw HUGE issues with the R-888's when flipped a few years ago, but tires are taken off flipped and put in the "best" location all the time.

[Alberto]

The tire wear on the tracks I run here in Nor Cal wind up having me rotate in a manner similar to JD.
The pax front goes to the driver rear
The dr front goes to pax rear

Most of the time that is how the wear rates have me moving the tires. I'll typically rotate after a weekend unless tread is getting low on the pax front which takes the most abuse on our tracks.


I also flipped tires on the wheels to get more life out of my first set - which I started at 6/32nds. The first session after unmounting, flipping and remounting was terrible. The tires had no grip. I later discovered comments (on here I think) that you need to give them a session to get them to grip normally again.

My second set of tires started at 3/32nds and are wearing very evenly. The setup TFB put on the car has been awesome for both tire wear and a well balanced car.

[Dennis]

I start out the day with my best tire outside front (for CW or CCW track) 2nd best inside front, 3rd outside rear and worst inside rear. The re-evaluate once or twice during the day and swap them around if things have changed.
Please note, my goal is to have them all wear out at the same time so I can just get a new set. Flipping may be involved.

Dennis

[Ron Alan]

Try never to go more than 2 session in the same position. Normally try and rotate every session. 2 sessions on one side front and back then swap sides and repeat. When the tires start getting down to 3 or 2 or 1 line(yes,still on toyos )...may start putting them in specific locations based on rubber left and rubber needed(track dependent). Oh...and then trying to hide the flat spots...dohhh!

Bottom line is different drivers will wear tires different at the same track...you have to keep good notes on yourself and tire wear. Amazing how some guys near the front eat rear tires...and some more the fronts...all depends on your style!

[Jim Venable]

Much appreciated all. Good stuff.

Jim

[CARacer]

I start out the day with my best tire outside front (for CW or CCW track) 2nd best inside front, 3rd outside rear and worst inside rear. The re-evaluate once or twice during the day and swap them around if things have changed.
Please note, my goal is to have them all wear out at the same time so I can just get a new set. Flipping may be involved.

Dennis

That's exactly what I do. I check them several times a day, but I've never found it necessary (or necessary enough to overcome laziness) to swap them during a weekend. I've flipped them on the wheels once and am about to do it again. I'm about to do my 11th double-dipping weekend with these tires (RA-1s, started at 5/32s), so I can vouch that this scheme works. Well, this scheme plus driving slowly.

[Ron Alan]

That's exactly what I do. I check them several times a day, but I've never found it necessary (or necessary enough to overcome laziness) to swap them during a weekend. I've flipped them on the wheels once and am about to do it again. I'm about to do my 11th double-dipping weekend with these tires (RA-1s, started at 5/32s), so I can vouch that this scheme works. Well, this scheme plus driving slowly.

I couldn't believe this when you told me...thats 90-100 heat cycles!! Based on what you said your latest lap times were at TH...only plan on 25-30 out of your next set!