Track slicks..bias or radial?

General chat that fellow COM'ers may be interested in.
Post Reply
User avatar
breakaway500
Speed Racer
Speed Racer
Posts: 2663
Joined: Wed Aug 29, 2007 8:47 am
Location: In my shop,usually.

Track slicks..bias or radial?

Post by breakaway500 » Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:41 am

I have been reading about track tires and there is a consensus that bias ply track slicks transmit more road feel to the driver and release with more predictability. I am going to buy a set of track tires soon and am thinking of trying a set of bias constructed(tubeless).Prices are about the same.

Any thoughts?
It's not what you drive, it's how you drive. "Lap times matter"

Grippy
Speed Racer
Speed Racer
Posts: 376
Joined: Fri Oct 07, 2005 9:59 pm
Location: Northbridge, MA

Post by Grippy » Mon Aug 25, 2008 1:43 pm

I would stick with a DOT approved "R" compound tire, like RA-1, or Hoosier, etc.
There may be a restriction in the rules also pending your class.
Gordon Andrade
#10 Super C MX-5

jlwhorf
Speed Racer
Speed Racer
Posts: 412
Joined: Fri Jul 08, 2005 9:38 am
Location: Atkinson NH

Post by jlwhorf » Mon Aug 25, 2008 1:54 pm

I use bias ply slicks on my current car, and used dot radials on my last car. Granted these cars have quite a different power/weight ratio but do share similar front chassis and suspension. The short story is that the radials take heat cycles better, work in cold weather better, and stay fast until they cord. The slicks do not get as greasy in hot weather, easier to control when getting out of shape, but are horrible in the cold, and get hard quicker when heat cycled. Slicks are at their best for one track weekend, but I can get 6 to 8 track days if I am not looking for fastest times.

Jonathan

User avatar
breakaway500
Speed Racer
Speed Racer
Posts: 2663
Joined: Wed Aug 29, 2007 8:47 am
Location: In my shop,usually.

Post by breakaway500 » Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:59 pm

I was planning on buying them for PB class.

I thought anything goes in Prepared :shock:

Horrible in the cold. Hmmm. I may have to rethink my decision. Thanks!
It's not what you drive, it's how you drive. "Lap times matter"

jlwhorf
Speed Racer
Speed Racer
Posts: 412
Joined: Fri Jul 08, 2005 9:38 am
Location: Atkinson NH

Post by jlwhorf » Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:40 am

breakaway500 wrote:I was planning on buying them for PB class.

I thought anything goes in Prepared :shock:
Yes, anything goes in P
breakaway500 wrote: Horrible in the cold. Hmmm. I may have to rethink my decision. Thanks!

I should elaberate, they are horrible when they are cold and have many heat cycles on them. The slicks I use are 27X10X15 and they hold so much air that they take several laps to get up to temperature. In the cold weather, it is longer than needed for a TT. On the plus side, I found an oval team who will give me one race take-off. If you want to try them, don't let me scare you away from them.

Jonathan

User avatar
breakaway500
Speed Racer
Speed Racer
Posts: 2663
Joined: Wed Aug 29, 2007 8:47 am
Location: In my shop,usually.

Post by breakaway500 » Tue Aug 26, 2008 9:22 am

I was going to try a set of 23.5x9.5x15" Avon bias track slicks in a soft compound. The car weighs 1400lbs so getting heat in the tires has always been a problem,especially the fronts.
If bias tires are that sensitive about heat cycling,I probably had better stick to radials.
I might even try some Hoosier A6's,even though that is an autocross compound,it should be fine.They make a 225/45ZR15 that should work out.
Thanks again! :wink:
It's not what you drive, it's how you drive. "Lap times matter"

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest