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Run SM7s in Freezing Temps?

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#1
obxer

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Hi All - Has anyone ran SM7s in freezing temps? Current forecast for VIR next weekend is a low of 22 F Friday night and 25 F Saturday 8:00 AM for group 1 Qualifying session. What to do - besides share my hotel room with 2 sets of tires and wheels and wear woolen underwear for the qualifying session? Or cancel? (actually I have access to a garage at the track so overnight storage isn't the problem)



#2
Brandon

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Hoosier recommends not storing tires below freezing temperatures but you may be able to get away with hauling them to/from your hotel overnight & keeping them in your running tow vehicle (with the heat on high) before your sessions but that does put a strain on getting to grid in time.  While being group 1 keeps you from being subjected to delays from earlier sessions that doesn't mean you'll have any more heat in them by the time you get out on-track.

 

Not sure the accuracy of this statement but driving on them in the cold risks breaking the bonds between the compound molecules and you end up junking the tire after a single session.

 

If you've got crew, then you may be in the clear for doing the 'warm storage' and for additional peace of mind, invest in a non-contact thermometer and check the sidewall temps prior to rolling out on-track and at least you'll have some baseline numbers.  My suggestion of taking the temps of the sidewall is they're the thinnest part of the tire and most subjected to compress/stretch forces when the tire's the coldest.

 

An alternative would be to invest in a set of tire-warmers but those seem to be prohibitively priced (to put it mildly).

 

HTH!

Brandon


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#3
Keith Andrews

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Do forget about your car.  I know a couple of guys who lost track time waiting and hoping their cars would be ok after the water froze in them.  If you have access to a garage put everything (car and tires) in there with a space heater.


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#4
Brandon

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Oh crap - I never thought of that!  That will especially a problem when you find your freeze plugs under your car in the AM...

Hmm...without idling the car the entire night....or risking antifreeze on-track....I don't know, drain the coolant overnight?


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#5
obxer

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Thanks for the replys. Anyone actually had experience trying to run SM7s in mid 20 temps? I know Hoosier just says "Do not. . ."

 

I can't afford to trash a set of stickers (all I have now) for just one race day/weekend. I actually run ITA class and I'm not finding any suggestions for any alternative tires to run in the mid 20s on a dry track. Seriously considering cancelling - at least for Saturday. Forecast lows for Saturday night aren't quite at brutal so Sunday might still be do-able.



#6
Keith Williamson

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I raced 2 weeks ago on a new set of scrubbed in SM7s at AMP when it was pretty cold.  It was about 20 degrees when I got to the track.  First Qual session was at 10am and the temp was in the high 20s by then.  The night before the race I had kept the car in a garage at the track with a heater and thermometer on wall was saying about 55 in the garage. 

 

First couple laps felt pretty loose and no problems after that. There were about 10 spec miatas in the race and majority were on SM7s with 2 or 3 on Toyo RRs.  No one mentioned any tire problems. 

 

Good Luck!


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#7
Diller

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No experience with the SM7s but I have raced the SM in sub freezing temps. To keep the engine from freezing on the tow to the track (sub 20* on an open trailer) I drained all the water from the engine/radiator and refilled the morning of the race. Also, if you have access to 110V you can buy a magnetic engine block heater for 30 bucks from Amazon or some Tractor Supply stores. They will keep the engine warm enough that the block won't crack unless it gets armageddon cold in VA.

 

I hadn't thought of bringing the tires to the hotel with me but that isn't a bad idea. Should make for some good conversation on the elevator. 


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