One More Track Day?

[esample]

I have a set of R888s that have about 6 DEs on them. I'm a novice driver, so they have been relatively slow laps. Getting ready to go to Sebring this weekend, I noticed the tires are at the wear indicators and am wondering if I can get another day out of them or should I just go with street tires?

The only other local option I can find today is a set of NT 01s that are 205/50/15 and 225/45/15. Opinions greatly appreciated. BTW, I already know the Toyos have been running too low on pressures. Thanks!

-e.

[safe]

Drive them until they are bald.
By the look of them you haven't gotten them up to temperature at all. Drive faster and you will get a lot more grip and better wear.

[9dreizig]

Drive them till they cord!!!! they are just getting fast!

[Porchcar guy]

They look fine, just watch them over the track day. Remember, you need to get them hot to work their best and that means scrubbing them in on your out lap, harder braking in a straight line going into a corner and faster outs from the apex on ...Good Luck and have fun !!

[Jaskas]

By the looks of the tires it looks that you are running too high pressure. Also it seems that you are not getting the tire warm enough as you drive on the track -> add speed

[KTL]

Wear indicators like the bars are more indicative of how to look at street tires, in that you need to start thinking about replacing them. Track tires? Meh, they got tons of life left in them. Especially if you don't push them really hard.

The better indicators of "oh boy, I dunno if these are going to last me the day" are the dots in the tread. When those small holes molded in the tread are gone, you can expect cords to be showing real soon.

[esample]

Thanks guys I appreciate the advice and I'll do just that!

[Cory M]

agree - drive them until they are bald

looks like you might benefit from lowering your pressures a bit, seem like the center is wearing more than the edges..

[JeremyD]

You have a lot more days on those - they are only just starting to get fast

[5:04]

Originally Posted by Cory M

agree - drive them until they are bald

looks like you might benefit from lowering your pressures a bit, seem like the center is wearing more than the edges..

This, and if you're in the market for R-comps again get NT-01's instead of R888's. I've never hated a tire so much in my life.

[esample]

Originally Posted by JeremyD

You have a lot more days on those - they are only just starting to get fast

Now if I could start to get fast....

Hoping to see you down there tomorrow, Jeremy.

-e.

[safe]

Originally Posted by esample

Now if I could start to get fast....

-e.

There is nothing to it, just brake less to carry more speed into the corner and when you hit the apex you floor the right pedal and keep it there.

It looks like the tires hasn't been warm, and then you haven't been near either your or the cars limit.
Aim for around 32 psi when warm.

[Porchcar guy]

-e..The trick to going fast is to sneak up on it and not get over your head. Watch where the go fast guys brake and try to do the same...watch their line from entry to exit and where they hit the loud pedal on exit. Have fun !!

[KTL]

Originally Posted by Porchcar guy

-e..The trick to going fast is to sneak up on it and not get over your head. Watch where the go fast guys brake (in a car similar to yours) and try to do the same...watch their line from entry to exit and where they hit the loud pedal on exit. Have fun !!

I added the bold part because i've watched people come up on say, spec Miatas, and then blow the corner because the Miata brakes way later than we can. They can't brake harder per se', but the nature of that car is that it hardly uses the brakes at all!

[Porchcar guy]

Kevin...thanks for the qualification...I assumed that the drivers/cars would be 911's...my bad :=)

[JeremyD]

As Andy Lally said to me and shakinjoe at the bar one evening (showing off his Daytona 24 Rolex) - really not that different from what you guys are doing - we just carry more speed and turn in earlier... that's all.

[dede911]

Hi,

My experience is that your pressure is way to high. (this gives less grip)

We start with cold pressure 1.7 to 1.8 bar front and rear (depends on track temps) and this give 2.1 bar hot...this is the sweet spot.

The shoulder looks new...this means that your can use more speed in the corners...

André

[Flieger]

Replace them when they look like this:


Tires and Suspension_ 007 by Max_911S_fahrer, on Flickr

Tires and Suspension_ 005 by Max_911S_fahrer, on Flickr
.














Yes, those are the same tires next to each other. Advan AO48s.

[Wilhelm]

Flieger; Looks like you got your moneys worth out of those 2 tires

[Steve W]

You cannot drive R888s till they cord!! These are not NT01s. In fact once you hit the last 2/32s of thread, it is a completely different compound with zero grip! BTDT. There is a reason R888s are the most hated tire in the world.