Winter Racing!

[funksouljon]

So in CO, they just posted the V1 of the winter season for SCCA out here. We also have a separate second series that may run this winter as well. October to Feb/March. I have kept the R71s on for street driving, and when it gets below 50?at night they start getting slick. I expect we will have a bunch of cold days.

So, what does the collective find works for colder weather track days from a tire perspective? I have my stock 17s with all seasons, but they aren't very good at race pace in the heat, so doubt they will be useful in the cold.

Also, any other changes for cold weather racing?

Highs are 60s down to 40s across the winter. This is when I will reevaluate my decision of the Mustang over a WRX ...........

 

[PatrickStapler]

This past January at Barber, it was spitting snow flurries during one of our sessions. Sunny and hovering around 32. We didn’t change a thing except tire pressures.

 

[TymeSlayer]

I've run at Pueblo (PMP) in the spring before in sleet and temps around freezing and used the RE71s and it was slicker than snot. Especially when you turn onto the front straightaway which doubles for a quarter mile runway. The Michelin PS4S wasn't any better. I haven't tried anything else as it was all I had at the tyme.

 

[TMSBOSS]

I ran Pirelli DH takeoffs at 37 degrees once.....ONCE. They seemed like hockey pucks. They slid everywhere. Not recommended.

 

[PatrickStapler]

All you guys with your fancy tires, huge brakes, traction control, PS, PB, ABS...scared to slide through a turn... .

Hop in the car with me...

 

[TMSBOSS]

Happy to.

 

[funksouljon]

I ran Pirelli DH takeoffs at 37 degrees once.....ONCE. They seemed like hockey pucks. They slid everywhere. Not recommended.

So no known good options? My trash all seasons are batter than the R71s, but weren't great on the track in the summer. Could be back to timing the slide.

 

[Dave_W]

I've had good luck using performance all-seasons in colder weather autocrosses in a variety of cars. All the 200TW and R-comp tires turn to rocks at temps around 55-60F. With a longer session on track, you may be able to get & keep heat in a tire at 55-60, but it may prove challenging. At 40F, there's no way I'd be on an R-Comp, the rubber compound just isn't designed for temps that cold, and you could even damage the carcass.

If I'm spending other people's money, I'd be looking at https://chickenhawkracing.com/ but it would still be a battle trying to keep heat in the tire for a session.