Wear bars showing on the rears - Disqualified at HDPE? - LotusTalk

kkant · 06-17-2009, 07:34 PM

Hi folks-- I'm doing my first HDPE event soon. My rear tires are down to the wear bars in the center, but there's still some tread left. Is this going to make the car fail the tech check? Is it stupid for me to try and run with these tires in any case? I was thinking that getting new tires at this point would make the rear more slippery, just from the new tire "molding material" or whatever. Any thoughts, should I get new tires or not.

elise/europa · 06-17-2009, 08:22 PM

But some other tires are welcome to run shaved to be more like a slick.

Thomasio · 06-17-2009, 08:24 PM

You will probably chord the tires at the event. Ask me how I found this out.

(I had ordered slicks for the event, and UPS mis-routed them... forced to go with street tires is sorrowful shape.)

davecarama · 06-17-2009, 08:27 PM

You should get new rear tires. The tires on the elise are finiky. You will be shocked at how much better your car will handle EVEN IN THE STRAIGHT HIGHWAY with new tires in the rear. I am assuming you have about half life in the fronts left?

You should get new tires, you will be so glad you did.

Besides, the rears at the wear bars (ps, you never told us which tires you had)
The A048 tires are so very bad at the bars and should be changed out asap
the AD07 are just as bad if not worse than the A048 tires.

Change them... Do it for me... Do it for YOU... Just do it.

Patrick · 06-17-2009, 08:40 PM

Not safe. End of story. You are a danger to yourself and others.

fishguy · 06-17-2009, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick

Not safe. End of story. You are a danger to yourself and others.

+1
you need to buy new ones in the immeadiate future anyway, dont be cheap and end up having to fix your car, AND buy the new tires anyway.

its a false economy tracking on old tires.

I would hope the tech guys would check your car and NOT allow you out, if not, beware of driving with this club. it would tell me that you cannot count on others on track with you have cars that are also trackworthy.

kkant · 06-17-2009, 09:06 PM

Thanks for the replies folks. I'll get the new tires. Not a question of money, just thought brand new tires might have to be worn a bit before tracking...guess I had that wrong. Anyway, yes the fronts have plenty of tread--more than half.

fishguy · 06-17-2009, 09:13 PM

what tires are you running?

kkant · 06-17-2009, 09:24 PM

I bought the car with RE-01's all around (LSS wheels, 205/45 front and 225/45 rear). I'm thinking I'll get the RE-11's in the back for now, then R888's when the street tires are finished.

larez2 · 06-17-2009, 11:20 PM

down to the wear bars like just touching or well into the wear bars? what is your tread depth? You could probably pass tech and be okay if you have just reached the wear bars on the RE-01R's. The tires still have life left at that point. If you do end up getting new tires be sure to do some donuts before you get them

Dragon · 06-18-2009, 01:14 AM

Just driving to the event will probably scrub off the tires good enough for the event...

BRTHTAKR · 06-18-2009, 05:51 AM

If I hit something on older tires I would forever rue the day, and my decision.

xtn · 06-18-2009, 06:56 AM

Depends on the tire.... You get Toyo RA1 tires down to the wear bars and they're just starting to get really good.

xtn

RichS · 06-18-2009, 07:18 AM

I've had a LOT of fun with some AO48's that were way past the wear bars. I went to the track with the goal of cording them and spent the day sliding the car around the track. Everybody wanted to go for a ride because it was soo much fun (fun, not fast). Now this was a member day, I was basically on the track by myself or with other members who knew what was going on and I had previously been on track for hundreds of sessions... Not what I would recommend for someone who is new to HPDEs. Get new tires.

Moto44 · 06-18-2009, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichS

spent the day sliding the car around the track. Everybody wanted to go for a ride because it was soo much fun

I'd be in line for that ride!

xtn · 06-18-2009, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichS

I've had a LOT of fun with some AO48's that were way past the wear bars. I went to the track with the goal of cording them and spent the day sliding the car around the track. Everybody wanted to go for a ride because it was soo much fun (fun, not fast). Now this was a member day, I was basically on the track by myself or with other members who knew what was going on and I had previously been on track for hundreds of sessions... Not what I would recommend for someone who is new to HPDEs. Get new tires.

I would recommend the opposite. I think a newb will learn more, and be safer, on tires with less grip.

xtn

tcnohead · 06-18-2009, 08:43 AM

+1, I think the point here is safety and not taking unneeded chances. Why risk it?

RichS · 06-18-2009, 08:44 AM

Less grippy tires are easier to learn on, yes.

But on the other hand tires that are about to be corded could be an issue.

I think the OP is worried about using new tires when on the track and he shouldn't be, hence my advice that he should get new tires.

xtn · 06-18-2009, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichS

Less grippy tires are easier to learn on, yes.

But on the other hand tires that are about to be corded could be an issue.

I think the OP is worried about using new tires when on the track and he shouldn't be, hence my advice that he should get new tires.

Oh sure whip out logic to win an argument when you're down....

I do know that you'd have to be driving a lot harder than I am to cord tires down from a point starting at the wear bars in just one weekend. My RA1s went six track days since running out of tread completely (slight evidence of the two main grooves remaining), and I finally pulled them off in disgust at being unable to get down to the cords. I suspect they still have another full inch of good rubber underneath the original tread.

xtn

RichS · 06-18-2009, 09:43 AM

The OP didn't say what kind of tires he was using.

If he was using AO48s and/or AD07s then I would strongly suggest getting new tires instead of taking the risk of cording his tires while at the track. If this is his first HPDE then chances are that he won't be cording the tires, BUT it is pretty easy to cord them between driving to the event, doing the event and then driving home... especially if the OP has a bit of extra tire pressure at the start of his HPDE day (or weekend?).

Also considering that the OP is asking this question in the first place I was assuming that he was NOT using RA1s. If he is using RA1s then he should keep the tires on the car and enjoy the hell out of them as they are just about to get great!

06-17-2009, 07:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
kkant Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11	Wear bars showing on the rears - Disqualified at HDPE? Hi folks-- I'm doing my first HDPE event soon. My rear tires are down to the wear bars in the center, but there's still some tread left. Is this going to make the car fail the tech check? Is it stupid for me to try and run with these tires in any case? I was thinking that getting new tires at this point would make the rear more slippery, just from the new tire "molding material" or whatever. Any thoughts, should I get new tires or not.

06-17-2009, 08:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
elise/europa Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: montreal Posts: 345	But some other tires are welcome to run shaved to be more like a slick. __________________ ____________________________________ Elise 2006, white, Katana Europa 1969, green, H22A, 194 whp, 1550# CONFIGTECH.ca / Solidworks

06-17-2009, 08:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
Thomasio really light stuff Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,488	You will probably chord the tires at the event. Ask me how I found this out. (I had ordered slicks for the event, and UPS mis-routed them... forced to go with street tires is sorrowful shape.) __________________ 07 SY Exige S Really Light Stuff Intercooler . RLS Tubes . RLS Water/Methanol Injection . RLS 3.0" Pulley . RLS Wing Plates . RLS CF Window Panel

06-17-2009, 08:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
davecarama Driving it every day! Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 842	You should get new rear tires. The tires on the elise are finiky. You will be shocked at how much better your car will handle EVEN IN THE STRAIGHT HIGHWAY with new tires in the rear. I am assuming you have about half life in the fronts left? You should get new tires, you will be so glad you did. Besides, the rears at the wear bars (ps, you never told us which tires you had) The A048 tires are so very bad at the bars and should be changed out asap the AD07 are just as bad if not worse than the A048 tires. Change them... Do it for me... Do it for YOU... Just do it. __________________ Vision without execution is a hallucination.

06-17-2009, 09:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
fishguy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,776 Images: 1	what tires are you running? __________________ 2008-2009 SCCA AZ Regional "Driver of the Year" 1986 Swift DB-1 Sold 2008 HSR-West FF 3rd generation Champion 2008 "The Series" FF 3rd generation Champion 1987 Porsche Spec 944 2008-2009 season SCCA AZ regional Champion

06-17-2009, 08:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
Patrick Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 84	Not safe. End of story. You are a danger to yourself and others.

06-17-2009, 09:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
kkant Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11	Thanks for the replies folks. I'll get the new tires. Not a question of money, just thought brand new tires might have to be worn a bit before tracking...guess I had that wrong. Anyway, yes the fronts have plenty of tread--more than half.

06-17-2009, 09:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
kkant Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11	I bought the car with RE-01's all around (LSS wheels, 205/45 front and 225/45 rear). I'm thinking I'll get the RE-11's in the back for now, then R888's when the street tires are finished.

06-17-2009, 11:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
larez2 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 141	down to the wear bars like just touching or well into the wear bars? what is your tread depth? You could probably pass tech and be okay if you have just reached the wear bars on the RE-01R's. The tires still have life left at that point. If you do end up getting new tires be sure to do some donuts before you get them

06-18-2009, 01:14 AM	#11 (permalink)
Dragon Hydrocarbons Rule Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Okinawa Japan Posts: 1,742 Images: 2	Just driving to the event will probably scrub off the tires good enough for the event... __________________ 2006 Exige; BWR Supercharger, Adj Sway Bar, Ohlins Suspension, BSK Oil Catch Can, Moroso Oil Pan, ORC Clutch, Custom Exhaust, Black Volk Racing CE28N's w/ Toyo R1R's, 2 piece rotors, Pagid Blue Pads, BSK Wet Carbon (Side Skirts, Front Lip Spoiler, Gas Cap Cover, Center Console, Door Panels), Dry Carbon rear Diffuser, Harness Bar, BWR Gauge Mount, OMP Superquadro steering wheel, LETSLA Short Shifter, V2arms, Rear Tow Link Brace, RLS Battery Bracket, BOE Tow Bar, Stickers.

06-18-2009, 05:51 AM	#12 (permalink)
BRTHTAKR Let's Talk Lotus Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Asheville, North Carolina Posts: 1,138 Images: 6	If I hit something on older tires I would forever rue the day, and my decision. __________________ Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Leonardo Da Vinci 2005 Elise LRG, Trim Shop interior, full cage, Cup wheels, other stuff. 2007 Toyota Tundra (about 10 cup holders) 2004 BMW X3 (4 small cup holders) 1980 Rover SD1

06-18-2009, 06:56 AM	#13 (permalink)
xtn McLareghini Bugatterrari Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 6,841	Depends on the tire.... You get Toyo RA1 tires down to the wear bars and they're just starting to get really good. xtn __________________ 2006 McLareghini Bugatterrari, Storm Titanium... <mods> installed: air horn, Scroth 4-point ASM harnesses, Sector111 halon extinguisher and mounting bracket, Von Hep exhaust and rear panel delete, Pagid brake pads, red Volks CE28n wheels, Toyo RA-1 tires, Nitron SA coilovers, Sector111 (WorksBell) quick-disconnect steering wheel kit. awaiting installation: Scroth "pull-up" lap belts, Sector111 RTD Brace, Tony's heater bypass mod, and dropped steering rack mounting plates. </mods>

06-18-2009, 07:18 AM	#14 (permalink)
RichS No, it's only an N/A Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,285	I've had a LOT of fun with some AO48's that were way past the wear bars. I went to the track with the goal of cording them and spent the day sliding the car around the track. Everybody wanted to go for a ride because it was soo much fun (fun, not fast). Now this was a member day, I was basically on the track by myself or with other members who knew what was going on and I had previously been on track for hundreds of sessions... Not what I would recommend for someone who is new to HPDEs. Get new tires. __________________ Useful links to vendors removed at Nadeem's request. "Nice avatar by the way, I doubt Colin Chapman would have followed the herd as I have seen many here do. --Nadeem"

06-18-2009, 08:43 AM	#17 (permalink)
tcnohead Who needs nicotine? Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 956	+1, I think the point here is safety and not taking unneeded chances. Why risk it?

06-18-2009, 08:44 AM	#18 (permalink)
RichS No, it's only an N/A Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,285	Less grippy tires are easier to learn on, yes. But on the other hand tires that are about to be corded could be an issue. I think the OP is worried about using new tires when on the track and he shouldn't be, hence my advice that he should get new tires. __________________ Useful links to vendors removed at Nadeem's request. "Nice avatar by the way, I doubt Colin Chapman would have followed the herd as I have seen many here do. --Nadeem"

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06-18-2009, 09:43 AM	#20 (permalink)
RichS No, it's only an N/A Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,285	The OP didn't say what kind of tires he was using. If he was using AO48s and/or AD07s then I would strongly suggest getting new tires instead of taking the risk of cording his tires while at the track. If this is his first HPDE then chances are that he won't be cording the tires, BUT it is pretty easy to cord them between driving to the event, doing the event and then driving home... especially if the OP has a bit of extra tire pressure at the start of his HPDE day (or weekend?). Also considering that the OP is asking this question in the first place I was assuming that he was NOT using RA1s. If he is using RA1s then he should keep the tires on the car and enjoy the hell out of them as they are just about to get great! __________________ Useful links to vendors removed at Nadeem's request. "Nice avatar by the way, I doubt Colin Chapman would have followed the herd as I have seen many here do. --Nadeem"