Driving R-Comps to Track?

[ThunderMoose]

I am wondering how many people drive their R-Comps to track.

My track car has a 1/2 cage and there is no way to transport tires. I am about 100 miles from the track (that I go to most often). Most people I see there out there with R-Comps are changing that at the track.

[mastek]

Originally Posted by ThunderMoose

I am wondering how many people drive their R-Comps to track.

My track car has a 1/2 cage and there is no way to transport tires. I am about 100 miles from the track (that I go to most often). Most people I see there out there with R-Comps are changing that at the track.

You'll be fine. Go ahead and drive em to the track.
I used R-Comps on the street and track (BFG R1s) for a while. I would get 6000 street miles and about 12 track events.

The only downsides are:
1) If you get a nail on the street ur track day is done
2) and the constant stop and go of street driving runs the heat cycles out of the tires ... and even though there might be rubber/tread left, the tires will not grip as well after they heat-cycle out.

[von_zoom]

It can also be a lot of fun if it begins to rain when you are ready to go home

vz

[TXmtrhed]

Hey TM, in case you would still consider a small trailer for your track tires, check out Master Hitch in Houston. They do very good work and can custom fabricate a hitch for your M3. They can even hide the reciever from view if you want. Talk to Scott, he both owns the shop and does all the custom work.

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by von_zoom

It can also be a lot of fun if it begins to rain when you are ready to go home

vz

Right on! I experienced a downpour that instilled the fear of God back into me.

[MaxL]

Originally Posted by Bubbles

Right on! I experienced a downpour that instilled the fear of God back into me.

I got into a freak snow-squall on the way to my first track day of the season last year. Even on AD08 tires it was a sobering experience. So just make sure you are not in a situation where you do not have a trailer, your street tires are not up to the track duty (e.g., worn) and there is a chance of bad weather...

[Richard@M-World]

Which R Compound are you considering?

[ThunderMoose]

Originally Posted by Richard@M-World

Which R Compound are you considering?

Nitto NT01's

[swartzentruber]

Keep in mind also that driving your R-comps to the track and taking no other cars equals parking it if the weather gets a little bad. Around here, rainy days or at least passing showers are pretty common during track days. I've driven on Rcomps to the track, but I've still had other tires available in the hatch just in case, and I've switched back a few times due to bad weather.

I'm sure you get the picture, but having only Rcomps available means if anything happens on the way to the track, you lose your weekend (it's generally a bad idea to track on a tire that's had a puncture, even a repaired one), if the track is wet or cold you need to park it (maybe the second one doesn't apply to your situation), and if anything happens to the tires during the weekend, you may not be able to get home. Bottom line, I think you need to equally think about the impact of only having one set of tires available as much as just the thought of driving there on Rcomps.

[yyoo]

As someone else suggested, get a utility trailer...or a roof rack for tires. The trailer works better I think.

With that said, I drove my Spec Miata on Toyo RA-1s to the track all the time. Didn't run into any major problems. However, I got a utility trailer anyway because it was just convenient and reassuring to be able to tote all my tools and have spare tires handy.

[Richard@M-World]

Originally Posted by ThunderMoose

Nitto NT01's

With NT01's you should be fine.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by MaxL

I got into a freak snow-squall on the way to my first track day of the season last year. Even on AD08 tires it was a sobering experience. So just make sure you are not in a situation where you do not have a trailer, your street tires are not up to the track duty (e.g., worn) and there is a chance of bad weather...

Probably not a problem in TX...especially around Houston.

Plenty of people do drive back and forth in R-Comps. I've seen quite a few 911 guys do it.

[Notnug]

As others have said, be mindful that R-compound tires get into trouble with any sharp objects on the public roads (or at the track for that matter). They are easily punctured and driving in the rain is a death trap. Driving with only R-compounds will make your track day extremely weather dependent.

[sleepless]

I drive to and from the track on Nitto NT-01s all the time. These and other R-Compound tires a perfectly fine on the street. Unlike Hoosier DOT tires (and Kumho 710), the NT-01s are tough, and when they have full tread are okay in the rain. Other similar tires include the Toyo RA1, Toyo R888, Michelin Sport Cups, Yoko 048R. All are fine for many road miles.

I've driven from Seattle to Laguna Seca on a fresh set of NT-01s, did a track day there, then back to Thunderhill for two track days and back home and the tires were just fine. That's a 2000 mile round trip on the freeway! I've driven to Thunderhill, 1400 miles round trip several times.

NT-01s are also no susceptible to heat cycling so no problems with that either.

[mastek]

Originally Posted by Notnug

As others have said, be mindful that R-compound tires get into trouble with any sharp objects on the public roads (or at the track for that matter). They are easily punctured and driving in the rain is a death trap. Driving with only R-compounds will make your track day extremely weather dependent.

I wouldn't say they're more prone to stabbings ... just that ur fcked if u get one .... since u cant patch an R-Comp.

[JC919]

Originally Posted by ThunderMoose

Nitto NT01's

I've driven in the rain with these. Just go slow and avoid speeds over 75mph and you'll be fine...just maintain awareness.

[dawgdog]

I generally leave myNT01s on between events. In fact, they are on my car now.

[ShadeD1]

Meh, I've been known to drive to the track on Hoosiers

[quads]

Originally Posted by ShadeD1

Meh, I've been known to drive to the track on Hoosiers

I've done it as well - it has to be a calculated risk - if you're ok with that then thats your choice.

The hoosiers have really soft and thin rubber. It's like riding on ballons compared to street tread. It's a big risk - could ruin your track day or year if you wreck because of a blowout.

[StealYourFace]

Originally Posted by von_zoom

It can also be a lot of fun if it begins to rain when you are ready to go home

vz

When I was in school I autocrossed my WRX Wagon in esp (I think?). Got lazy one weekend and stuck the trusty Victoracers on the night before. Sure enough it started to rain that day. Was super fun at the event but the short drive home was a white knuckle experience. I was dumb enough to drive on the expressway.... got home though.

[e92involved]

Full R-compound I would NOT do this. Main reason would be these tires are very soft and you could very easily puncture them.

[quads]

Originally Posted by e92involved

Full R-compound I would NOT do this. Main reason would be these tires are very soft and you could very easily puncture them.

I wouldn't do it either.

Not only are they soft they are very very thin. Hoosier R6's come brand new with only 3mm of tread!