Time Between Off Warmers And Race Start

[davep]

Steve B,

 

Background:

 

When attending CSS, as students we're always going out on the track with tires that have cooled a bit between the last group, new group getting on, going through course control and out to do our drills. We are always warned to "take it easy for the first few laps because of cold tires".

 

There are two scenarios I'm dealing with now…(running Dunlop American slicks)…Track days and race days..and using tire warmers.. so

 

1. Track day….at last call for my group, I take off warmers, head out of pits, maybe wait a minute or two, then group is released onto track. I still "take it easy" for at least the first lap

2. Race day…at last call for my class, take off warmers, head out of pits, might wait longer depending on race organization and how things are going that day. Then warm-up lap, back to start and grid. Again, depending on the race organization and how things are going the amount of time sitting before race begins varies..

 

Question:

How much grip is lost from the tire as it cools, either due to time off warmers without riding hard, or because you've you've gotten some heat into tire from riding, but then stopped and gridded, etc…and how does this effect your ability to push the tire on the first lap of a race?

 

Thanks!

 

 

[Cobie Fair]

I'll be interested to see what Steve has to say, but seem like there are other variables that will make this hard to predict, some being:

 

1. Ambient temp.

2. Track temp and sunny/cloudy.

3. Wind.

4. How hot the tires were to start, and how fast you ride on the warm up lap. Do you go directly from the pit as the warm up lap, or is it sighting lap to grid, then warm up lap?

5. The tire itself, how new/old, compound, etc.

 

There are some factors to consider! One of my fast guys (very good on tires not up to temp fully) has commented more than once: Don't assume you have traction, feel it out, find out what traction you have.

 

Best,

Cobie