Tire pressure for the track

[sboyd]

I'm going to the High Peformance Driving class given by Proformance Racing at Pacific Raceways. Their "form" letter says: "Tires should be over-inflated by approx 5-10 PSI over normal specs (i.e. 38 PSI front and 42 PSI rear, cold)." Of course, those numbers are for a normal passenger car.

I've seen mixed info on the forum about tire pressure at the track, autocross, etc.

I'm running Yokohama 245X45/17 front and 275X40/17 rear. For street use, I normally keep them at 26 PSI. Forecast temp on the day in question is about 75 degrees.

So, should I keep 'em where they are, air 'em up, or air 'em down?

- Steve

[Big-Foot]

I would over inflate so you have the air already in the tires and can let some out.
If this is a performance driving class, you will not be putting in as much heat into the tire that you would if running a competition event. My recommendation would be to have about 32 PSI in the tires when you hit the track.

I instruct at a performance driving school and that is what I would advise other car owners of Cobras, Ultimas, GT40's and cars in the same relative weight category..

[ROADRACER83]

Steve:

Randy is spot on. Try to get the hot pressure on all four wheels at somewhere around 32 to 34. Check the tire pressure when you come in off the track as soon as you can and as hot as you can, then lower them to 32 hot.

PR is predominately a left turn track so the right front will run a little hotter, which means you probably will need that tire to start a little lower than the rest.

Have fun! PR is my home track and I've got a lot of laps there. It is fast and technical. Kitch's instructors are very good.

Ron

[sboyd]

Thanks for the info guys. I can't wait to finally get on a track!
- Steve