OK to drive to/from track on BF Goodrich R1s?

[JonnyTrauma]

I'm doing my first DE with the M3 this weekend with PCA. I picked up a set of 18x10 Apex ARC-8s as track wheels and mounted R1s.

It is now close enough to the weekend that I can confirm it will be dry so I don't need stock rubber while I'm there. I'm wondering if there is a negative effect to the tire if I drive there with them on the car? There is no rain, temp 65-80 degrees, commute to track is 60 miles almost all highway. Is there an effect on life?

Thanks in advance...lots of great info on here.

[JonnyTrauma]

Also any input on tire pressures is welcomed. I will be running at NJMP thunderbolt temp around 75 degrees. Was planing on starting with 35 f 36 r cold and taking it from there.

What should I be looking for as far as hot pressure?

Thanks

[LightWerkz]

You can do it, but I wouldn't, not with those tires.

[dan avoN7]

Originally Posted by JonnyTrauma

Also any input on tire pressures is welcomed. I will be running at NJMP thunderbolt temp around 75 degrees. Was planing on starting with 35 f 36 r cold and taking it from there.

What should I be looking for as far as hot pressure?

Thanks

I would not recommend driving on the street with these tires. However, in ideal conditions and the short drive you described, you should be fine. With those tires you are mainly concerned with heat cycles so even though they might not wear too much in terms of tread, you will be reducing the overall "life" of the tire.

I would start ~27-28psi cold and then adjust pressures after your first session. Those tires perform well in the mid 30's, I would shoot for ~34-35 psi coming off a hot lap.

[ThunderMoose]

Most of my track buddies can fit 4 tires in back seat and change at track. I'd recommend that approach.

[jrse92m3]

Back in my DE days I did drive to tracks in Hoosiers R6's many times its completely fine !!!! I personally have over 1000 laps in thunderbolt and the pressure is according to how much heat U are able to build on this tires, start with 32 all on the passenger side and 30 on the driver side if after 10 hot laps U R not up to 38 psi all around next time increase the pressure. U want to be around 38 at your best lap.
By the way I just drove for VAC in a 12 hrs SCCA enduro with this same tires and they are great!!!!

[JonnyTrauma]

Originally Posted by jrse92m3

Back in my DE days I did drive to tracks in Hoosiers R6's many times its completely fine !!!! I personally have over 1000 laps in thunderbolt and the pressure is according to how much heat U are able to build on this tires, start with 32 all on the passenger side and 30 on the driver side if after 10 hot laps U R not up to 38 psi all around next time increase the pressure. U want to be around 38 at your best lap.
By the way I just drove for VAC in a 12 hrs SCCA enduro with this same tires and they are great!!!!

I follow NJMP on twitter and they posted pics of the VAC car pitting during that event... pretty cool. I probably have close to 1000 laps on thunderbolt as well but 99% of them are on two wheels. I know the line well but I've only had the car for three weeks and I've never run r compounds before so it will be a learning experience. What's a good lap time to target? I was thinking mid to high 1:30s w/o the chicane?

[Richbot]

If rain isn't a possibility there's no issue with it, as long as you are ok with taking significant life out of the tires

[dmw16]

Those are seriously sticky tires for a first DE.

Anyway, as others have said, it's fine at the expenses of tire life.

[Porschefile]

Originally Posted by dmw16

Those are seriously sticky tires for a first DE.

Anyway, as others have said, it's fine at the expenses of tire life.

No kidding, the stickiest DOT tires aren't great to learn car control on. And they puncture so much easier than street tires. Any debris on the road there and you're done. It is possible to drive there, but not a good idea.

[Richbot]

Originally Posted by Porschefile

No kidding, the stickiest DOT tires aren't great to learn car control on. And they puncture so much easier than street tires. Any debris on the road there and you're done. It is possible to drive there, but not a good idea.

I was going to say "if you have to ask, you probably shouldn't have bought those tires to begin with" but I'm glad somebody else implied it first

[JonnyTrauma]

Originally Posted by Richbot

I was going to say "if you have to ask, you probably shouldn't have bought those tires to begin with" but I'm glad somebody else implied it first

I bought the R1s based on the information I found on this site. This is not my first HPDE, it's my first HPDE in this car. I've been on this track 30+ times before. I don't see a need to be condescending "if I have to ask"

My question implied that I was concerned that this would significantly degrade life of the tire. Your responses confirmed that. Thanks

[surlynkid]

I'd be worried about picking up a nail on the way and ruining your weekend.

[JonnyTrauma]

Originally Posted by surlynkid

I'd be worried about picking up a nail on the way and ruining your weekend.

Thanks all for the advice. I ended up transporting the R1s three in the back one in the trunk. I ran the first two sessions with the PS2s to get a feel for the car then mounted the R1s. WOW those things grip. I didn't get too much clean track as there were lots of slower guys in the group but my best lap of the weekend was a 1:36.3 which I am pretty happy with. The first video is the fast lap from a helmet mount, the second is a full session from the first day.

Thanks for all the great info on here!!

[jml]

I drove to and from COTA in austin for 2x3day weekends on R1s with the aerobeetle. It's about 30 miles each way. Tire pressure went from 30 to 33 psi, so they didn't get very warm. No issues. Though I wouldn't drive in the rain.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by ThunderMoose

Most of my track buddies can fit 4 tires in back seat and change at track. I'd recommend that approach.

4? I've had 9 tires in my E90 before. I just drove to COTA with 8 tires and all of my track stuff in my E46.

If you can't fit 4 tires then...I'll leave that alone.

[aarodynamics]

I drive to and from the track on my R1s and don't have any issues with it. Just make sure to run the pressures very high on those R1s if you're 3400+ lbs. I was running 44 PSI hot with some good success during my last time out.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

4? I've had 9 tires in my E90 before. I just drove to COTA with 8 tires and all of my track stuff in my E46.

Pics of both cars loaded with tires please.

[jrse92m3]

Originally Posted by JonnyTrauma

I follow NJMP on twitter and they posted pics of the VAC car pitting during that event... pretty cool. I probably have close to 1000 laps on thunderbolt as well but 99% of them are on two wheels. I know the line well but I've only had the car for three weeks and I've never run r compounds before so it will be a learning experience. What's a good lap time to target? I was thinking mid to high 1:30s w/o the chicane?

we got down to 1;28 at night w/out the chicane but when was hot only 1:30's
im taking my s1000rr there in september its going to be my 3rd track day on bikes ,