Most liked posts in thread: Need some input/thoughts.

What air pressure were you running?

I used to run some 215/45-17 RE01s on the track and street and I loved them. I had read that the RE11s were only better, but have no direct experience with them.

 

To new?

Mold release compounds had not worn off yet possibly.

 

25 miles on them? No, they should not stick. And unless you cooled them down properly between heat cycles there is a good chance they might never stick.

I big part of heat cycling tires is the cool down. If not given enough time for the chemical reaction to take place, the rubber compound will not achieve it's intended molecular structure.

 

+1

Heat cycling is a very important step to getting the most life and performance out of the tires.

 

:eek6:

+2


Mark
Group4

 

Not an expert, but I did locate this as I didn't know what heat cycling was.

FTA: The first time a competition tire is used is the most important. During that run, its tread compound is stretched, some of the weaker bonds between the rubber molecules will be broken (which generates some of the heat). If the tires are initially run too hard or too long, some of the stronger bonds will also be broken which will reduces the tire's grip and wear qualities. Running new tires through an easy heat cycle first, and allowing them to relax allows the rubber bonds to relink in a more uniform manner than they were originally manufactured. It actually makes them more consistent in strength and more resistant to losing their strength the next time they are used. An important heat cycling step is that after being brought up to temperature, the tires require a minimum of 24 to 48 hours to relax and reform the bonds between their rubber molecules.

Tire Tech Information - Competition Tire Heat Cycling Service

 

So, optimally a new set of track tires should see one easy/mild hot session, then rest for 2 days before normal track use?

Has anyone here done that exactly and can feel a significant increase in wear and traction qualities?

 

I would try running that set on the street for about 500 miles. It should bring them back some. Not going to be 100%, but at least you will get some decent use out of them.

Yes, I have. You are not going to see an increase, but instead will get the traction and longevity that the tire was designed for. Otherwise both will be diminished.

 

I agree with you that the brand new RE-11's could have contributed. It usually takes me about 200-500 miles to break in my Star Specs, which are a similar extreme summer performance street tire, and that's mostly for the mold release goo.

Another thing to consider - is the driver accustomed to the MINI? It understeers pretty bad with the stock alignment and suspension setup. Is that what caused the lack of grip, or was it specifically the tires?

 

This is why most tire retailers will offer to heat cycle the tires for you....it is very important to do.

 

Do you have any numbers? Cause up to now my first heat cycle has been the first session Saturday morning of a DE weekend. I will scrub off the mold release before the first run if I get time. I haven't noticed any performance decrease based on comparison of similiar tires on similiar cars. But I do tend to go through tires a weekend or two quicker than other folks.

 

You got me there, I don't have any numbers. I think there are too many variables involved it tire use for anyone to provide hard numbers. Unless you have manufacturer or F1 sized budget. I've yet to use the same tire back to back to even draw a comparison for myself in either case. But I am pretty sure Tire Rack did some testing on that subject, so I tend to take their word for it.

 

13 year old data, properly still applies.

From Roadrunner Region, PCA

 

According to the folks at Hoosier Tire, proper heat cycling will increase the longevity of a tire, but have no impact on its performance. My local Hoosier supplier offers mechanical heat cycling, but doesn't recommend it. Just buy more wheels so that you always have a heat-cycled set ready to go. No one said that this track stuff was going to be easy or cheap!

 

Don, as you've said before. Drive them around for about 500 miles or so at 70% effort. Throw in some twisities and canyons and they should come back to life.

 

I think that many have Tire Rack pre heat cycle their tires for them, so they are delivered in track-ready shape.

 

Found this in a April post on the SCCAForums:

This is what the Nitto guys say...

"While the NT01 does not require a heat cycling, we would recommend it. The procedure we recommend for heat cycling tires would be to gradually bring the tires up to their optimum operating temperature, which is between 160 and 220 degrees F. After that, let them cool off over night and they should be ready to go the next day.

Thank you,
Alan Ngo
Nitto Technical Department"

I just got NT-01s mounted, so Friday when I get to MSR I'll change tires and either do a session or beat them up good on the skid pad.