Tyre melt!

L

lostinhere

New member
On a recent track day my brakes faded so I decided to replace along with the discs.
While replacing them I noticed that the centre section on the front tyres had melted! is this common?
Currently I have the bridgestone runflats which I will be replacing but obviously I dont want the same thing to happen next time I go to the track. Any suggestions?
 
Wondermike, good thread :thumbsup: Has been bookmarked to save me digging it out next time.

lostinhere, sounds about right - I did an evening session the other week, so not too hot or too long, and even then by the end the tyres (Vreds) were incredibly sticky, was quite surprised TBH - mine is a 2.5, assuming a similar driving style, if yours is a bigger engined Z4 this would be worse.

Another thing that will cause the fade, the rake fluid getting too hot. If you're going to be doing more track days may be worth upgrading that too, ga41 has a good site for info there. The other change I am making, at the recommendation of others, is changing to braided hoses, quite a cheap upgrade and if it has anything like the benefit it had on my bike, well worth it.

Not sure where you're based but there are some BMWCC novice days, there's a thread on here for that too, they are well priced and for £25 you get 30 minutes tuition!
EDIT: See you're already booked on one :thumbsup:
 
Depending on the tyre, the rubber will become very soft or simply become stringy and peel off.

Bridgestone S-02 tyres did this, as do some of the cheaper performance tyres (e.g. the ones that trade longevity for grip).

My track tyres usually only last a day before they're shot anyway...
Baldy_R888.jpg
 
I've been on trackdays in middle of a summer desert (Vegas) I think the highest temp we reached was 90 degrees F. I noticed flaking of huge chunks of rubber on the tim, but not quite that. Then again on that track max speed was around 115 mph IIRC. But seeing how the rubber does get real soft I could see that happening if you don't do proper cooldown laps.
 
Thanks Guys,
I do plan to upgrade my brake hoses and fluid. But I dont want to fork out on a set of tyres for only one track session. I plan to do 4 or 5 track days a year and about 5k road miles. Dont mind buying a full set a year. What do you recommend?
 
A good set of performance tires will last you a good bit on the track. Track tires get tons of grip but of course aren't suited for road use. I've used Falken 452's before and they are ok, but I think they slid a bit much on/off the track (not a lot, but noticeable). I have started using Michelan PS2's and they are pure awesome, grip in all warm to blazing hot climates on & off the track, great in wet, and last a good bit too. Other folk swear by the Eagle F1's.
Back to the PS2's you'll get more than a few track days with em, and if your really wanting to keep track/street tires seperate then just get a second set for track days.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom