Live thread: Join us this Friday for some track tire testing

I hear there's gonna be some pictures taken...

In reply to Andy Hollis :

Thank you–and have fun storming the castle and all that good stuff. 

On our way to the track now, but first a quick trip to the...QuikTrip.

We replace the fuel we use during each session to eliminate the weight variable

And...we're at the track.

But so are these guys...Longhorn Racing Academy.  They do exotic track drives.  And it's impractical for us to test while they are out there, though we are allowed to share it.  Plus, it's looks bad on their videos when a Miata is lapping quicker than an exotic.  :)

But, they have a photographer who can take action shots so I'll mix in a little for that before the real testing begins. 

Andy Hollis said:

On our way to the track now, but first a quick trip to the...QuikTrip.

We replace the fuel we use during each session to eliminate the weight variable

 

Dang, you really do take every variable into consideration.

Now if only we could control the weather...

In reply to Andy Hollis :

If you use a thread lubricant on the studs, you wont have to do any of this thread straightening stuff. I have been using a small amount of anti-seize on my lugs for 30 plus years of autocrossing without a single failure. Other lubes can be used, but nothing is as good as anti-seize.

WSchmidt said:

In reply to Andy Hollis :

If you use a thread lubricant on the studs, you wont have to do any of this thread straightening stuff. 

Completely disagree. 

Lube attracts dirt which then messes up your threads.  I used to do that several decades ago.  Had way more problems than what I do now.

Also note that torque specs are for "clean and dry".  Lubed threads can easily be over-torqued. 

Dial the shocks back up to track settings and heading out for some practice while Longhorn is finishing up.

You’re going to outrun all those exotics, aren’t you? 

Three push laps all within hundredths before got held up by traffic.  Was supposed to be it practice but just gonna use that as good data for tire A, since we'll bracket again at the end.

Longhorn is done for the day so we have the track mostly to ourselves.  

Houston, we have a problem. 
 

Threads are all fine...nut came off with hand pressure.  Stud simply broke.  
 

I have a spare hub...at home.  I could just replace the stud here, but I'm wary of the hub.  Needs a closer look.

Sunday's weather looks nice...

In reply to Andy Hollis :

Most important, you cannot get correct torque on lug nuts with galled threads on studs or nuts. It adds artificial resistance. You will actually be undertight when you hit your torque mark. Same reason you never put lubricant or anti-seize on studs, it make it artifically slippery and you will be overtighten/stretched at the specified torque.

Any engineer worth his salt will tell you that the anti-seize works just fine. You torque the nuts at 15% less torque than it is specd for. Like I said 30 plus years with no issues. We do it on all our vehicles, including dump trucks , pickups and sedans at my govt fleet of 50 or so vehicles.

WSchmidt said:

Any engineer worth his salt will tell you that the anti-seize works just fine. You torque the nuts at 15% less torque than it is specd for. Like I said 30 plus years with no issues. We do it on all our vehicles, including dump trucks , pickups and sedans at my govt fleet of 50 or so vehicles.

This is one of those religious topics that come up frequently on forums and social media.  I'm not enough of a zealot to debate it.  Both methods can work, so long as you take appropriate measures.

I will only say this as a final word on the topic, before getting back to tire testing...

I spent three years as a race engineer in pro racing (PWC...now called SRO) including two championship seasons, one of which was under the Realtime Racing tent (winningest team in PWC history).  This is an environment that closely resembles tire testing.  Lots of changes per day, often with hot equipment.  I never saw any anti-seize being used on studs in that paddock.  "Clean and dry" alongside "chase and replace" were the mantras.  So that's how I do it.

You do you...I'll do me. :)

Hub looked fine so I just replaced the stud and mounted up something else for another upcoming test, and did the scrub/cycle bit again.  

Flyin Miata Kogeki wheels in 15x9 do clear ND Brembos and rear calipers, where most 15's do not. 
 

These tires are...interesting.  225/40-15

In reply to Andy Hollis :

If you want to do it the hard way (spending extra time and labor chasing threads and extra money replacing studs) that is okay with me. I was just trying to help out my fellow racers, just like someone helped me out 30+ years ago.

WSchmidt said:

In reply to Andy Hollis :

If you want to do it the hard way (spending extra time and labor chasing threads and extra money replacing studs) that is okay with me. I was just trying to help out my fellow racers, just like someone helped me out 30+ years ago.

Long time anti seize user here... 30+ years racing.. never lost a stud/lug using it.  
 

We use lightly one time when studs/bearings/hubs are new... and then never need to again.

 Best regards,

 Dave

Andy Hollis said:

Three push laps all within hundredths before got held up by traffic.  Was supposed to be it practice but just gonna use that as good data for tire A, since we'll bracket again at the end.

Longhorn is done for the day so we have the track mostly to ourselves.  

Are the times pretty similar CW vs CCW?  I ran low 27's there with Champcar CW.  I've never run CCW there.

racerfink said:

Andy Hollis said:

Three push laps all within hundredths before got held up by traffic.  Was supposed to be it practice but just gonna use that as good data for tire A, since we'll bracket again at the end.

Longhorn is done for the day so we have the track mostly to ourselves.  

Are the times pretty similar CW vs CCW?  I ran low 27's there with Champcar CW.  I've never run CCW there.

For the ND, it's fairly similar both directions.  Other cars, not so much.  For big power, the back straight kink is quicker going CCW since it occurs sooner in the straight.

These tires are not super-quick.  I ran in the 24's earlier in the week on Nankang CRS.  My best ever with this car on 200tw is 23.9.

Colin Wood said:

Now if only we could control the weather...

^^ that aged quite well. 
At Harris Hill for our Mulligan attempt and this:

Unloading the trailer and I see this...

Things are looking up...

In reply to Andy Hollis :

That looks kinda stunning.  The track warming up would make a great time lapse video.

Kinda busy but went out anyway to help clean the line.  Times settled near where we were on Friday.  A little cooler here right now.  
 

Hoping most of these folks clear out when to go watch the F1 race this afternoon...