Salanis
SuperDork
2/11/09 11:15 p.m.
Track day on Friday. It's supposed to rain some. I'm not sure how much.
I can bring both the street tires and the Nitto NT-01's. Any good rule of thumb for when I should switch the tires? (Actually, I think this may be in the back of one of the two most recent GRM issues).
Per Schroeder
Technical Editor/Advertising Director
2/12/09 6:03 a.m.
If you can see texture on the asphalt (ie, water doesn't go over the aggregate: stick with the R-compunds. If it looks like glass, you'll need a real treaded tire.
If the NT01s are new I think there's enough tred you'll be OK either way. If you're down to the grooves though....
I've beaten on nt01's in the wet. surprisingly good. better than full depth rt615's, which was counterintuitive. biggest problem was they stayed cold.
I use Hoosier dirt track tires in the wet. They have large grooves to let the water (or mud) run out the sides and they have pretty good grip, even when cold. Another advantage, when it starts to dry out they don't wear out as fast as regular (racing compound) rain tires. Flip side, they're not as "smooth" as a regular tire, you will feel some vibration.
mike
Salanis
SuperDork
2/12/09 12:41 p.m.
stumpmj wrote:
If the NT01s are new I think there's enough tred you'll be OK either way. If you're down to the grooves though....
The NT01s are almost brand new. They're about a month old, with one track day on them and still at full tread depth (as much as they have a tread).
Per Schroeder
Technical Editor/Advertising Director
2/12/09 1:02 p.m.
they should be fine. Be a little cautious around big puddles.