Trackday on the cheap?

[MarkCup]

Whatever corners you intend to cut...don't!

I ran at Goodwood recently using some track tyres that were well over 7 years old - visual inspection showed no signs of the rubber perishing, and they had enough tread for a day and being a cheap accountant I thought I could get another day from them.

The carcass though...almost killed me!

Fordwater at Goodwood, flat in 5th so 110-120 or so, and I feel a slight knock through the steering wheel and the car wants to pull me off the track to the left. I backed off then as I braked for St. Marys the car tried to shake itself apart with the vibration coming from the front left wheel. Backed right off, headed back to the pits where I found this...

Tyre 1 - all good

Tyre 2 - no problems here

Tyre 3 - this one's fine

Tyre 4 - rolling diameter swollen on the inner edge by about 15mm!!!!!

So the carcass on this tyre, the front left one, started breaking down at 110-120 mph, on a corner with zero run-off.

F***.

That's the last time I try to get max life out of something so critical!

 

[Martin_172]

ouch, just shows you! ive got a set of eibachs on my ph1 that are about 10yr old not a single bit of paint left on them and they still perform like they are new, was going to get them powdercoated and refit but to be honest i think ill replace them as dont want to risk them failing on track and going through a tyre sidewall!

 

[Jonny1*2]

I might have a check on my r888 dates :S

 

[Tom]

Tyres are very sensitive things. Especially track/race tyres. They need to be stored at the correct temp and all sorts of other environmental issues need to be considered.

Might look fine to the eye, but as you discovered, this isn't always the case. Thank f**k you are still with us!

 

[MarkCup]

Yup. Stored in a shed so probably 30 degrees in the summer, and -2 in the winter...not good.

So glad it held together, s**t myself when it happened. It's swollen like that all around the circumference so something's let go deep within!

 

[Englebert]

Glad you didn't learn your lesson the bad way! What is the normal recommended lifespan?

 

[Englebert]

ouch, just shows you! ive got a set of eibachs on my ph1 that are about 10yr old not a single bit of paint left on them and they still perform like they are new, was going to get them powdercoated and refit but to be honest i think ill replace them as dont want to risk them failing on track and going through a tyre sidewall!

How would you know if they perform like you without comparing them though?

 

[jon_r]

Look on the brightside Mark, at least it didn't happen at St. Marys!

(also flog the other 3 on ebay )

 

[MarkCup]

Glad you didn't learn your lesson the bad way! What is the normal recommended lifespan?

I've no idea on lifespan. I'd have thought track tyres are pretty sensitive to temperatures though...as they're not designed to function (and one would think be stored) in sub-zero conditions. Wife's growling as I type this as she think's I'll be filling the space behind the sofa with spare wheels LOL

Look on the brightside Mark, at least it didn't happen at St. Marys!

(also flog the other 3 on ebay )

Seriously, if you want them jon, they're yours

 

[Jonny1*2]

They usually have dates of manufacture on them (can't remember what to look for though.lol), and I would imagine the manufacturers would stipulate a length of life.

 

[Stu-]

The life span of a normal tyre is approx 5yrs if i remeber correctly

 

[Martin_172]

How would you know if they perform like you without comparing them though?

because i have 3 clios running eibach sportlines