15 replies to this topic

[bigsmittyJAS]

I have never been to Mid-O before, but am planning on being there for the I.T. Spectacular at the end of July. I also have a set of sticker Hoosiers that I want to get their first heat cycle. I was planning on doing a qual session on these and then shelving them for a week. I have heard that the Mid-O surface can be brutal on tires. For those out there who have been on that track, can I get an opinion as to whether I should wait and cycle the tires at another venue, or if I am just being too cautious. Thanks in advance.

Jeff

[LarryKing]

As I'm sure you know, according to Hoosier the longevity of their DOT race tires improves by running one heat cycle and letting them sit at least 24 hours. I read someone's suggestion that Hoosiers could be pre-heat-cycled but doing circles, CW and CCW, in a parking lot. Don't know. - sound reasonable.

I've never noticed that Mid-Ohio is any harder on tires than any other asphalt. There's lots of voodoo tire myths floating around Mid-O. My opinion is the track condition/traction changes constantly depending on sun/shade and temp.

[FTodaro]

Mid Ohio is my local track. We all have to heat cycle tires there. I do not think that track is hard on Tires, Not as hard as a track like Putnam that grinds the rubber off.

You should check to see if Mid Ohio is doing a twilight track session. If so, you can get an SCCA discount and pay 150.00 for an hr of track time 3- 20 min sessions. That is a good time to do that.

[bigsmittyJAS]

Thanks a lot for the input! Much appreciated.

[Caveman-kwebb99]

ditto to frank. cylce those stickers before you come or on the twilight one session and then let them sit,,,

[Jim Drago]

IMO, the twilight is too close to the actual race. Cycle the tire 2-3 weeks or more before you come.

I agree, the track is not hard on tires. But if your tires are not cured, Mid Ohio will grain the rubber off them

[bigsmittyJAS]

I have another set of Hoosiers that I plan on running for the rest of the weekend. I am going to cycle the new ones and then let them sit until the next race weekend. I did not do that with the first set of Hoosiers I bought and want to make sure I do it by the book this time around. I need to squeeze every ounce of track time I can out of my tires, my kids college fund can't take much more of this! Thanks a lot for the feedback.

[Caveman-kwebb99]

if thats the case run them in whatever session you want then, it wont hurt to give them their first cycle at mid ohio..

[DamonB06]

What is the consensus on getting tires heat cycled when you order them? I know Phils tire service does this for $10 a tire. How does it compare to an actual heat cycle on the track?

[DrDomm]

I've asked this before, but didn't get a response...

Is it ok to run a full qualifying session on stickers to break them in?...say 20-25 minutes. I think Hoosiers recommendations are for less time, and not to push too hard on them. Thoughts?

[Jim Drago]

No, it isn't. You will grain the tires badly if you start to push them hard. The grain will clean up the next time you use them ( week or so + later) but your times will suffer from the graining. While I have no "proof" I grained a set of Hoosiers at Hallett this year ( only track remotely similar to Mid Ohio I go to ) Those tires never "felt good " to me after that. I tried a few times, but used them for practice only

[DrDomm]

So, what are people doing Jim? Only scrubbing stickers for a few laps on test days? Just running a few conservative laps during qualifying, then come into the pits and change tires? Parking lots?

[Tom Sager]

This, from Hoosier, is probably good sound advice...

INITIAL HEAT CYCLE

First laps are critical for setting up the durability and competitive life.

Pressures should be 3-5 psi higher than normal use.

First session restricted to 10-15 minutes (4-7 laps).

Early part of the session should be run at an easy pace, with the speed gradually

increased until the end of the session.

Best progression: take 4-7 laps to accomplish this break-in

Final lap should be run at the fastest possible speed with the goal to have the tire temp

as high as possible on the last lap without "shocking" the tire during the warm up laps.

Allow tires to cool at normal rate.

CURE TIME

After initial heat cycle, length of time the tire is allowed to set is more important.

Minimum to be beneficial is 24 hours. (Not "the next day"). Any less than this is a waste

of time.

Optimum is to allow a week before using the tire again.

Following the recommended break-in procedure will require a lot of planning to make it

work. The benefits to doing it right include greatly increased tire life as well as consistent

performance and durability under stress. It can save you a lot of money.

TIRE TEMPERATURE RECOMMENDATIONS

For best performance the expected temperature range will vary from track to track. Generally,

optimum traction will be generated when the pit lane temps show 180-200°F.

Note: Use of static infra-red pyrometers is an inaccurate method to monitor tire temps.

[FTodaro]

What i find interesting is I have never found info from other MFG's on the HC process. toyo Goodrich on their tires.

[LarryKing]

What is the consensus on getting tires heat cycled when you order them?

Anecdotal evidence: I started this season on a set of Phil's pre-heat-cycled Hoozies. 16 heat cycles later they still feel all'ite.

Last year bought a set, no pre-cycling, put them on as stickers and just started using them. After 8 heat cycles the drop-off was dramatic.

[Jerry Cabe]

Been running mostly Hoosiers for the last 6 years. My experience is the heat cycling followed by at least a week of setting is required for long life of the tires. I've had a couple sets heat cycled by the vendor, but most I did myself on the track, and have not observed any difference between the two methods. I believe if you search back through the forum archives, you can find a homebuilt heat cycler that one of the forum's more inventive characters built. I'm not sure if he is still doing that or not.

I've had at least one set that I did not properly heat cycle (less than 24 hours setting), and my experience was similar to M&S's. Whether there is a benefit or not, my head (and wallet) tells me there is longer life in properly heat cycled tires.