rec.autos.simulators

by **Pasi P Ahopel** » Thu, 29 Sep 1994 03:52:59

I almost won a 25% race in New Hampshire, but my left rear tire blew at
lap 47 sending me to backwards slide across start-finish straight.
Damage was off and I didn't hit anything, so it must have been caused by
excessive tire wear. I was already losing some grip and I checked the
tire temperature few seconds after accident: about 300-310 degrees.
I saved the replay on disk, of course;-)

(I'm not complaining, this is a nice bit of realism.)

As I'm planning to participate ICRS-III, I'd like to have some
information about this. Have you ever worn out and blown a tire if
you've kept the temperature below 300F as manual succests? Any
other similar accidents, what track, how many laps, what temperature, etc.

Thanks in advance.

Pasi.

by **Peter Burk** » Thu, 29 Sep 1994 06:01:17

Subject: ICR: Tire wear?

Date: 27 Sep 1994 18:52:59 GMT

>I almost won a 25% race in New Hampshire, but my left rear tire blew at
>lap 47 sending me to backwards slide across start-finish straight.
>Damage was off and I didn't hit anything, so it must have been caused by
>excessive tire wear. I was already losing some grip and I checked the
>tire temperature few seconds after accident: about 300-310 degrees.
>I saved the replay on disk, of course;-)
>(I'm not complaining, this is a nice bit of realism.)

>As I'm planning to participate ICRS-III, I'd like to have some
>information about this. Have you ever worn out and blown a tire if
>you've kept the temperature below 300F as manual succests? Any
>other similar accidents, what track, how many laps, what temperature,

etc.

If your tires are above 300 degrees for more than 20 laps, they
will blow! At 270 you are usually safe until you need to refuel.
On road and street courses, they may even last longer. Tires that
run cool, but are used for more than 60 gallons worth of fuel will
eventually provide less grip and start liding. I have yet
to test if they ever blow.

Tire temps above 300 degrees should be avoided not only to keep the
tires from blowing - you also have less grip above 300. Basicaly, dial
in your car to keep the tires around 250-270 if possible, but
sometimes 210-240 are all you can get. Left front tires on ovals will
always be a lot cooler...

>Subject: ICR: Tire wear?

>Date: 27 Sep 1994 18:52:59 GMT

>>I almost won a 25% race in New Hampshire, but my left rear tire blew at
>>lap 47 sending me to backwards slide across start-finish straight.
>>Damage was off and I didn't hit anything, so it must have been caused by
>>excessive tire wear. I was already losing some grip and I checked the
>>tire temperature few seconds after accident: about 300-310 degrees.
>>I saved the replay on disk, of course;-)

>>(I'm not complaining, this is a nice bit of realism.)

>>As I'm planning to participate ICRS-III, I'd like to have some
>>information about this. Have you ever worn out and blown a tire if
>>you've kept the temperature below 300F as manual succests? Any
>>other similar accidents, what track, how many laps, what temperature, etc.

I lost a race on lap 75 (of 75 *sob*) in turn 3 at Michigan when my left rear
blew. I hadn't changed it, although it was running pretty cool (definitely
under 260).

I've also had a LF tire blow on about 10th or 12th lap at Michigan, I have
no idea why. The LF never gets any wear at all at Michigan. Yes, damage
was off.

75 laps at Michigan is definitely more than 60 gallons...

---

Brian Wong Product Marketing Engineering

415-336-0082 Palo Alto, CA 94303