How many drive to DE days on DOT race rubber?

[Mcarr]

I'm curious if this is a common practice for those of us that don't currently have a trailer.
Thanks,
Mike

[Topless]

I have been driving to the track on Dot R compounds for 5 years. NT-01 or RA1 can be driven to and from the track so no trailer needed. If I were only running DEs and not competing in Time Trials, I would probably stick with Hankook RS3 tires. The lap time difference is not that much and they are better all around street/track tires.

I do have a few friends who always trailer their car and roll out a fresh set of R6 Hoosiers for every DE day. $1600 in tires poof gone! More money than brains I guess.

[stephen wilson]

That's kind of funny, a DE isn't even a competitive event. I don't even have new tires for most SCCA regionals.

[insite]

i drive to & from the track on NT-01's. no real issue unless it's pouring out. i have friends that attach a trailer hitch to the boxster. the trick setup is one of these harbor freight trailers modified to hold a set of tires & some tools.

Heavy Duty Utility Trailer - 870 Lb. Capacity

for a few hundred bucks, you can have a pretty nice solution.

[thstone]

Driving to events on DOT tires like Nitto NT-01, Toyo R888, or Toyo RA1 is very common. The drive to/from the track does not heat the tire enough to count as a heat cycle and the miles do not wear the tire enough to make any difference in their track life. I've driven all over Cali on my track tires including LA to Laguna Seca; 3 days of time trials; and back to LA on the same set of NT-01's. Just don't get caught in the rain because they will hydroplane in an instant.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by stephen wilson

That's kind of funny, a DE isn't even a competitive event. I don't even have new tires for most SCCA regionals.

The POC hosts a DE series called PDS (Performance Driving Series). If they are interested, drivers can compete by car class against same level cars and driver experience. End of year class winners are awarded trophies. Its a great starting series and its a lot more fun when you're keeping time against your friends. The upper level classes include GT race cars and those guys are competitive in any situation.

https://porscheclubracing.org/about/event-types/performance-driving-series/

[j.fro]

Last year I drove to 20 autocross events on Nitto NT01's. like everyone else said, no worries unless it is raining. This year I'm trying to do it on Hoosier A6 tires...

[DFW02S]

Originally Posted by stephen wilson

..... a DE isn't even a competitive event. ......

Maybe you're with the wrong group?
JK, I know it's for fun ......

I go on street tires, one day I'll get some R comp's and go crazy.

[jsceash]

How far is any one driving to a DE? I drive to Autocross events there a 36 mile drive one way. The closest DE is 90 miles one way. the average for me is 200- 300 miles. So I bought a light trailer and tow my car.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by jsceash

How far is any one driving to a DE? I drive to Autocross events there a 36 mile drive one way. The closest DE is 90 miles one way. the average for me is 200- 300 miles. So I bought a light trailer and tow my car.

Typically varies from 20 to 350 miles depending on the track. Might drive the 700 miles to Miller Motorsports Park this fall.

[Topless]

I typically drive up to 200 miles each way on NT-01s. If going to Miller I would probably drive there on street Kooks and have someone transport tires for me at a small beer fee. Simpler and much less hassle than a trailer, tow vehicle etc.

[986_c6]

I drive on Hoosiers to/from the track exclusively now. Usu 100-160 miles depending on which track I go to. I buy scrubs and am able to get 4-5 track days on the fronts and 7-8 on the rears. I do flip the tires inside out also midway (fortunate to know a Goodyear station that would do it for$15/tire).

Very lucky that I haven't had a puncture thus far, and I go about once-twice a month. Oh btw, I am referencing a corvette though.

[autodoctor911]

I've been driving to the track(TWS) about 140 miles away on Hankook z214 c71s for the hotter months. they are actually slower than my Hankook rs3 street tires, but don't wear as bad when it is really hot.
next time I will get some c91s or some hoosiers.

[Jittsl]

Hmm. What am I missing here? Doesn't the extra camber needed to get your R compounds to work on the track mean that the inside edges will take a beating during street driving? This must affect the performance. In my DE days I used to tow my Rs in a little trailer behind my car and let the damage get done to less expensive and hardier street tires. Also had the advantage of ensuring I had "rain tires" if the weather turned.

[spendy]

I have driven to DEs on R-compound tires and my biggest worry was always that I would pick up a nail or damage a tire on the street that would not allow me to drive in the event. When you consider the cost of an event, a homemade tire trailer is pretty cheap. Sadly, the cost of a hitch is a different story.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by Jittsl

Hmm. What am I missing here? Doesn't the extra camber needed to get your R compounds to work on the track mean that the inside edges will take a beating during street driving? This must affect the performance. In my DE days I used to tow my Rs in a little trailer behind my car and let the damage get done to less expensive and hardier street tires. Also had the advantage of ensuring I had "rain tires" if the weather turned.

In theory, the high negative camber would definitely wear the inside edges of the tire if you drove the tires exclusively on the street. But if you are tracking the car, an r-compound tire wears so fast on the race track that the street miles aren't really a significant factor.

[Topless]

Originally Posted by Jittsl

Hmm. What am I missing here? Doesn't the extra camber needed to get your R compounds to work on the track mean that the inside edges will take a beating during street driving? This must affect the performance. In my DE days I used to tow my Rs in a little trailer behind my car and let the damage get done to less expensive and hardier street tires. Also had the advantage of ensuring I had "rain tires" if the weather turned.

Jitts,

A street car/TT/DE car is inherently a series of compromises. We run with no cage and full interior, less negative camber than BSR cars, and wear only the tires we think we can get home on. It is the same way it was done back in the height of sportscar racing. Drive to the track, unload, go race, drive home. It is a compromise by design.

In spite of all these compromises we still manage to have a good time. And not having to own and maintain a full size tow vehicle, trailer, and all the "stuff" that goes to the track along with it has it's rewards. A few of these old guys in fully dressed out 300 excess lb, soft top, compromised setup, air conditioned, tire shredding BSX cars even manage to turn lap times that are mid-pack BSR. Who knew?

How it was done in the old days:
RETROSPECTIVE>>ROAD RACING AT POMONA - Speedhunters

[Jittsl]

Loved the retrospective photos. May be time that PCA (or whoever) introduced a new class open only to (legally) street registered cars that are driven to the track. These days of 18 wheelers and crews of 6 and small cities built to support "club racers" sometimes has me wondering if we missed the point.

[jb92563]

Originally Posted by insite

i drive to & from the track on NT-01's. no real issue unless it's pouring out. i have friends that attach a trailer hitch to the boxster. the trick setup is one of these harbor freight trailers modified to hold a set of tires & some tools.

Heavy Duty Utility Trailer - 870 Lb. Capacity

for a few hundred bucks, you can have a pretty nice solution.

Its a good idea, but don't forget the generator, fridge and air compressor for that trailer as well.

You'll be the most popular guy at the event.