5 replies to this topic

[Carl]

I realize the question in the subject line has probably been answered sometime on this forum, but I was unable to find it.  Is there a longevity benefit to doing a purposeful initial heat cycle on the SM7.5 using the method Hoosier recommends for the R7's? Is it common for racers to do this?  It seems like I always see a lot of stickered tires in front of me on the grid, so maybe not so much?  

 

I am just getting restarted in Spec Miata after a few years away.  One of the main take-aways from my previous stint with an SM is that running other people's take-offs is ultimately kind of frustrating.  In 4 years, I bought exactly one set of new Hoosiers.  Now that I am retired, I haven't gotten any less cheap (or faster), but I would like to spend my money more effectively/thoughtfully.  As such, I would like to optimize life of the new tires I am now determined to work with ;-)  

 

Any information would be appreciated.

 

Carl

[94SpecMiata]

I'm also interested in seeing responses... I've run take-offs my first 2 seasons and will eventually go to new tires as well.

[gerglmuff2]

conventional wisdom: not sure i believe it, i think everyone has a slightly different opinion BUT ....

pre heat cycling might give you a longer plateau before they fall off, but sacrifices that golden first heat cycle 



tires are worth real speed on these cars (somewhat track dependant how much, but can be second+), YMMV

[Steve Scheifler]

I think above comments are pretty close. At most tracks the tires are quickest as stickers, but not following the first-cycle + at least 1 day rest shortens their life and speed. Guys selling them after 3-4 hard cycles the same weekend don’t care, but that doesn’t mean it’s a non-issue. However, these are really only a semi-race compound and unless you are able to run them at 10/10ths for a long session (meaning equal to the fastest guys) you probably aren’t going to overwork them during a Q session. Because we often don’t get practice sessions without attending a separate test day, my advice is to run stickers first session out (assuming you aren’t learning a new track and can’t push them), then let those sit until the following afternoon (at least 24 hrs if possible) and use them for the Sunday race. Wheels are cheaper than tires so if you have room to carry them it’s most economical to have at least three sets you can rotate through depending on circumstances.

[Carl]

Thanks for the input guys.  I have a new set for the upcoming weekend.  I will try giving them an initial heat cycle on Friday (test day) and then let them rest until the Sunday race.  For the rest of Friday and Saturday I have a couple sets that will work.  I don't have any previous experience to compare to, so I guess I am starting a knowledge building journey ;-)   

 

Carl 

[Brandon]

Thanks for the input guys.  I have a new set for the upcoming weekend.  I will try giving them an initial heat cycle on Friday (test day) and then let them rest until the Sunday race.  For the rest of Friday and Saturday I have a couple sets that will work.  I don't have any previous experience to compare to, so I guess I am starting a knowledge building journey ;-)   

 

Carl 

 

Carl,

I've always adopted the "HC on first Friday session, set for 24h" and tend to run my tires up to ~10 cycles (sometimes sooner if my next track LOVES new rubber). My lack of A-B-A testing (to appease Scheifler ;-) ) notwithstanding, I feel my tires at the 10th HC have only fallen off .5-1.0 seconds from folks who are running stickers at that same moment. Essentially I feel like I get the value of the tire investment from HC 7-10 with not a significant enough drop in lap time to want to drop another grand on a set of stickers.

 

What that amounts to for the first set purchased is approximately two race weekends before I'm buying another set. I suppose I could start following what the "front runners" are doing and buy stickers ahead of each weekend and sell them at 4 or 5 HCs for $400 and go to the next race with fresh rubber too.

*shrug*

 

Hope that helps!

Brandon