*The FL5 Track Junkie Thread*

[svvitch]

I wouldn't use the 200tw until it's above 40 to be safer with the rubber compound. Cold can cause cracking that you can't see within the rubber compound. I wouldn't want to ruin a set of tires just for a session in the cold.

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[MooMoo]

Like I said, bring both, test both, make a video about it

 

[PointByPatrol]

Like I said, bring both, test both, make a video about it

I'm thinking I might just take it easy on Saturday with the PS4S since it's not supposed to get above 40. Looking at the forecast again, it's only going to be 18 degrees Friday night. Sunday looks like it's going to hit 60, so I'll deploy the 200's then.

I've got a student for the weekend, so Saturday will be perfect for demonstration laps with him since I won't be going full send.

 

[BigBird]

I wouldn't use the 200tw until it's above 40 to be safer with the rubber compound. Cold can cause cracking that you can't see within the rubber compound. I wouldn't want to ruin a set of tires just for a session in the cold.

this is definitely evident in motorcycle tires; cold cracking and cold tearing, so i'm always a bit conservative on when to use stickier rubber.

 

[REDRAGN]

Anyone planning on NASA SE at Road Atlanta this weekend (Dec 7/8)?

 

[BigBird]

Anyone planning on NASA SE at Road Atlanta this weekend (Dec 7/8)?

definitely nope and super jealous than you can run in December.

Weather looks like perfect boost weather for your monster of a car.

 

[REDRAGN]

definitely nope and super jealous than you can run in December.

Weather looks like perfect boost weather for your monster of a car.

Hope so! As long as no rain

 

[Rexpelagi]

Debate question!

A track buddy of mine convinced me that I should remove my 200tw tires for this weekend and use the factory 300tw tires instead because of the cold weather. It's supposed to drop down to the 20's over night, it'll be in the 30's during the first run session, then the high for the day will be in the low 40's by the afternoon. He believes that a 300 all season will heat up and provide grip more easily than a 200. I bucked at the idea at first thinking to myself, "no way 200tw should generate more grip", but there was also the though in the back of my head of what happens to the 200tw tire compound as it sits overnight in the paddock in 20 degree weather.

I got a comment on my YouTube video betting me that 200 is the way to go!

There is also this word of caution from Tire Rack:
"Tires exposed to temperatures of 20 degrees F (-7 degrees C) or lower must be permitted to gradually return to temperatures of at least 40 degrees F (5 degrees C) for at least 24 hours before they are flexed in any manner, such as by adjusting inflation pressures, mounting them on wheels, or using them to support, roll or drive a vehicle."

Thoughts???

With enough laps 200tw should be fine, but be prepared for extended warmup. If you are on the A052 as others mentioned you'll need fewer laps than others. 71RS would need a little bit more than the A052, and if you are on something like a Nankang CRSV2 it would likely take several laps to start to feel comfortable. Just take it slow.

Unfortunately I have no experience on the V730.

What can be very helpful is to take the car out on a short 15-20min street drive right before you head out to your session - it doesn't have to be aggressive, but at least they won't be stone cold going out - things get super snappy sometimes on cold 200tw.

As an anecdote, I was running an SCCA national tour autocross event in 2018 in a fairly modified Mustang GT. I was on BFG Rival S's in 60°F in southern Georgia in March, and the tires straight up didn't work. I ended up .3s back from what was effectively a stock 6th gen 1LE on factory Goodyears on Day 1. This was my first event with the Rivals and after discussing with others I took the car on a drive on day 2 prior to runs and threw blankets on in grid, and had no issues in similar temps getting right up to speed and ended up with a good gap to the Camaro, putting almost 2s on him on day 2 and winning with good margin overall.

Track will certainly heat up tires faster than autocross, and the Rivals were awful in the cold, but the general concept of 300tw being faster isn't necessarily outlandish.

 

[Kirbizle]

New guy here, just to go off the temperature talk - Yeah unless you're PB hunting and just going for fun, you could try to stay off 200tw's in the cold to be safe, but I don't think the FL5 would be that bad anyway. It's a pretty big car with some decent weight on it to build some heat so I think the 200tw's would be okay. Especially if you can ease into it with a couple warm up laps.

That being said, in 2022 when I took my 1990 Civic with a TypeR K20 on Falken RT660 in 30°F ambient, the rear tires did not work at all, all day. Was the sketchiest the car had EVER felt. It's a light car that barely uses it's rear tires, so that doesn't help. But personally I'd still use my 200tw's in any weather on both my EF and FL5 (when I get there with this car)

- YouTube clip for the lol's

 

[Kirbizle]

New guy to the forums, joined just to check out this thread really Lol. Have only read through several pages so far, so will be fun reading through previous discussions about these cars.

YouTube video of mine from October being my first time out with my new FL5. Best lap of the day was barely lap 4 unfortunately while I was still learning its quirks, as the track conditions got worse in the afternoon. Taking it back again in a week or so to try to to sub 2min stock!

 

[BigBird]

New guy here, just to go off the temperature talk - Yeah unless you're PB hunting and just going for fun, you could try to stay off 200tw's in the cold to be safe, but I don't think the FL5 would be that bad anyway. It's a pretty big car with some decent weight on it to build some heat so I think the 200tw's would be okay. Especially if you can ease into it with a couple warm up laps.

That being said, in 2022 when I took my 1990 Civic with a TypeR K20 on Falken RT660 in 30°F ambient, the rear tires did not work at all, all day. Was the sketchiest the car had EVER felt. It's a light car that barely uses it's rear tires, so that doesn't help. But personally I'd still use my 200tw's in any weather on both my EF and FL5 (when I get there with this car)

- YouTube clip for the lol's

You look like you can wheel, so that had to be "fun"

660s suck in almost all conditions, so i could only imagine freezing

 

[PointByPatrol]

New guy here, just to go off the temperature talk - Yeah unless you're PB hunting and just going for fun, you could try to stay off 200tw's in the cold to be safe, but I don't think the FL5 would be that bad anyway. It's a pretty big car with some decent weight on it to build some heat so I think the 200tw's would be okay. Especially if you can ease into it with a couple warm up laps.

That being said, in 2022 when I took my 1990 Civic with a TypeR K20 on Falken RT660 in 30°F ambient, the rear tires did not work at all, all day. Was the sketchiest the car had EVER felt. It's a light car that barely uses it's rear tires, so that doesn't help. But personally I'd still use my 200tw's in any weather on both my EF and FL5 (when I get there with this car)

- YouTube clip for the lol's

That's terrifying!

 

[svvitch]

Another California guy showing off the year-round track days ? Welcome!

 

[svvitch]

U-Haul Has a New Car Trailer and It's Made for Track Days fancy new trailer - I wonder if it's any lower for loading?

 

[BigBird]

U-Haul Has a New Car Trailer and It's Made for Track Days fancy new trailer - I wonder if it's any lower for loading?

looks pretty high like the current one

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