How long will a set of Pilot Super Sports last?

[dmw16]

As a spin-off of my previous thread, how long can I expect a set of Pilot Super Sports to last on the track? I have scheduled 3 track weekends for this coming season (1 3-day, and 2 2-day). These will be my first go at tracking.

The first input I have on this is that the tires will be smoked after the first 2 events. Does that sound about right?

This is on an E46 M3 if that makes much difference.

Thanks.

[sawzall]

I ran a square set of PSS on my E92 M3 at the track. I had 10 days on them, and there was still a fair bit of tread. The key is to watch the PSI. If you run them too high, they'll start chunking in no time.

[swhat]

What PSI should they be at the track?

[dmw16]

Originally Posted by sawzall

I ran a square set of PSS on my E92 M3 at the track. I had 10 days on them, and there was still a fair bit of tread. The key is to watch the PSI. If you run them too high, they'll start chunking in no time.

This makes me feel better. I was trying to figure out how to explain to my wife that I needed new wheels

[blankstar43]

I find it very hard to believe they would be toast after 2 events unless you are just doing burnouts all day or really pushing the car

[sawzall]

Originally Posted by swhat

What PSI should they be at the track?

I started at 32/34 and made sure to keep them all under 36psi. I also made sure to do a short first session so I could get the pressures right.

[CanAutM3]

I guess it all depends on how much you push. They don't seem to like too much heat. The more you push the more heat you put in the tires.

Further, from my experience, it seems ambient temperature also has a big impact. On hot dry days, I melted a set of front PSS in two track days. However, in cool weather, they lasted much better.

[Longboarder]

I gave a professional drifter my car with newly mounted PSS and he did a 10 minute crazy 8 session on the balcony drift track at Willow Springs. I've also logged about 100 laps in 3 sessions between one day at Streets of Willow and two days at Big Willow and the tread is fine. Before each track session I started at 30/31 psi and they'd head up but nothing over 40psi. Great all-around tire.