How Do I Get The Most Out Of My Competition Tires?

When developing your vehicle's handling, maximize your:

Wheels - Always use the widest wheels allowed in your car's class, that fits your car and/or is recommended by the tire manufacturer for your tire size.

Alignment-Springs and Sway Bars - Keep our tires perpendicular in corners, try to achieve neutral steer (With power oversteer for rear wheel drive cars)

Shock Absorbers - Can help tune transitional handling

Inflation Pressures - Always use the lowest pressure possible, while higher inflation pressures may enhance responsiveness, they sacrifice traction. If uneven wear begins while at low pressures, increase them.

Tire Tips

Between races, never store tires exposed to the elements on your race car trailer's tire rack or outside your shop. Store them in a cool, dry place away from electric motors.

Immediately after every track session, remove debris and inspect your tires for damage and wear. If possible, let them cool while they are off the ground

Your tire's tread temperatures as read by a pyrometer will "never" be even across your tire's tread (Unless you have just completed a successful tuning session on a skid pad.)

Tire pressure increases 1 psi for every 10 degrees in ambient temperature

Shade tires from direct sunlight between sessions as much as possible. The sun's heat will raise your tire's pressure.

Autocross inflation pressures should be adjusted warm, road racing inflation pressures should be adjusted hot.

For racing or track events, your rain tires' starting inflation pressure should be higher than your dry tires.

Tires are part of your suspension. Using lower profile tires is like using shorter, stiffer springs.