Cold Weather Track Tires?

R A W L S · 09-15-2010, 11:16 AM

Is there a tire that's better than others for dry weather track days with ambient temperatures from 25 to 45 degrees F?

I've been running Kumho XS's or Dunlop Star Spec's on days which have all been 70-90 degree days. But I'm concerned these tires won't perform well during cold weather track days. I will mostly be doing events that are 20-30 minute lapping sessions where tire heat can work up. But I'll also be doing events that are shorter (2 min), timed, single lap events where not much heat works up. Thanks for input.

Gearhead999s · 09-15-2010, 11:46 AM

The more tread that you have will really help you in colder weather as you can build heat up a lot quicker if you are doing short sessions.If you are doing longer sessions the I would just run with the tires have been using and acccept the fact it will be a few laps before you have good grip or the best traction that you will have available in cooler temps.
The last few times that I have been out in temps of less than 10c I have been on well treaded RA1's and they worked well within a lap but the same tires at 2/32 or less required 3 laps to get decent grip.Nitto NT05's do not seem to work well when it is cooler out and need a long time to warm up but then they stick very well and the durability seems quite good.

R A W L S · 09-17-2010, 09:37 AM

Thank you.

09-15-2010, 11:16 AM	#1
R A W L S R A W L S 17 Rep 164 Posts Drives: 1997 M3 Join Date: May 2010 Location: _____________________ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 M3 [0.00]	Cold Weather Track Tires? Is there a tire that's better than others for dry weather track days with ambient temperatures from 25 to 45 degrees F? I've been running Kumho XS's or Dunlop Star Spec's on days which have all been 70-90 degree days. But I'm concerned these tires won't perform well during cold weather track days. I will mostly be doing events that are 20-30 minute lapping sessions where tire heat can work up. But I'll also be doing events that are shorter (2 min), timed, single lap events where not much heat works up. Thanks for input.
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09-15-2010, 11:46 AM	#2
Gearhead999s Major General 814 Rep 7,888 Posts Drives: RR Velar R=Dynamic M2C R1200GS Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	The more tread that you have will really help you in colder weather as you can build heat up a lot quicker if you are doing short sessions.If you are doing longer sessions the I would just run with the tires have been using and acccept the fact it will be a few laps before you have good grip or the best traction that you will have available in cooler temps. The last few times that I have been out in temps of less than 10c I have been on well treaded RA1's and they worked well within a lap but the same tires at 2/32 or less required 3 laps to get decent grip.Nitto NT05's do not seem to work well when it is cooler out and need a long time to warm up but then they stick very well and the durability seems quite good.
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09-17-2010, 09:37 AM	#3
R A W L S R A W L S 17 Rep 164 Posts Drives: 1997 M3 Join Date: May 2010 Location: _____________________ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 M3 [0.00]	Thank you.
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