11 replies to this topic

[RussMcB]

I have new, mounted Hoosier rain tires.  I wonder if I should put them on my street Miata and do some type of scrubbing/curing before they go into the trailer for who knows how long.  Is it worth worrying about?  WWHD?  (What would Hoosier recommend?).  Any thoughts?

 

Thanks.

[FTodaro]

No,  you want them as virgin as you get them on the track. when you go out for the first time there will be some mold release on them and will be real slick for a lap or two then they will grip well. This is a super soft tire if you drive them at all in the dry or even a gray looking track they will degrade vary fast.

 

For sure, do not take them out on your street car  unless its a down poor  but would just wait till you need them.

[RussMcB]

Thanks, Frank.  Makes sense.

[Danny Steyn]

IMHO - the first rain practice session you get, you go out immediately on the new H2O's. Run 2 laps at 60% in the rain on the wet line, keeping the tires IN THE WATER. DO NOT slide, slip or wear the tire,a dn do not drive on the dry line. Just get the mold release off. Then come in change your wheels, go out on other tires and enjoy the session. You want sharp square tread on that new rain tire. When it gets worn, the tread rounds off and is not nearly as grippy.

 

I have first hand experience of going out on brand new un-scrubbed H2O rains in a pouring race session. On the out lap there was so much water and no opportunity to really clean the mold release. It took 3 laps for the tires to really come in. By then I had dropped from outside pole down to 6th place and was eating spray having a really tough time. The other drivers had used their rains in that mornings qualifying and their tires were good to go. Mine not so much. 

 

Once again, just an opinion. YMMV. And what Frank says is GOSPEL. These rain tires go south very fast when the track dries out. Literally 1 or 2 dry laps will turn them from AMAZING tires into practice tires... then you can have fun with them like this

 

[joeg5982]

Looks like a drift car!

[Caveman-kwebb99]

^{OMG is that Donny Block driving?}

[Brandon]

Holy crap!!  That's more that just a "dab of 'oppo..." there!

 

Woo HOO!  Hang it out Mr. Steyn!

[RussMcB]

What is a good recommendation for cold starting pressures for Hoosier H2O rain tires? 

 

Do you factor in other variables, such as ambient temperature? 

 

What is the desired "hot" pressure?

 

I checked the Hoosier web site (specs, FAQ, bulletins, etc.) but didn't find anything there.

 

Tomorrow I will be running in the rain, with high temps expected around 58 degrees.

 

TIA.

[HoneyBadger - BrianW]

All things being equal I start at 35psi.

[RussMcB]

All things being equal I start at 35psi.

Thanks, Brian.  I was hoping someone would respond before I left for the track.  :-).

[philstireservice]

tire pyrometers are your friend...

[RussMcB]

Hmm.  Kind of hard to believe you'd see much difference in tire temps across the tread after driving off a rain-soaked track onto pit road with standing water.

 

Brian's suggestion was fine for my test day outing, mainly because I was just doing a new car shake down.  Before I race or qualify in the rain I plan to ask the Hoosier reps (or maybe one of the fast local guys) for their recommendations.