RA-1 or SO3?

[lvrdnsx]

Hello guys,

Going to the Spring Mountain track this Saturday in the middle of a cold spell (well, cold for Southern Nevada). Low in upper 20's, highs in the 50s is forecast. I have been on track with RA-1s only in 70+ weather. Do RA-1 have much different adhesion characteristics on a cold track (I have SO3 on for street that I can use too)?

 

[nsxtasy]

When the temperatures are in the forties or higher, the RA-1 is fine. Colder than that, I would give the nod to the S-03.

That weather is typical of what I've experienced at VIR the past couple of Decembers, when it's been in the upper twenties at the crack of dawn. I've used my RA-1 all day long. Just beware that they are going to feel very slick at the start of the day; don't drive at speeds expecting them to grip like they do when it's warm out. You will probably see quite a few cars go off the track at the start of the day. Take it nice and slow, and build up speed very gradually, feeling for the limits of traction.

 

[stuntman]

Hello guys,

Going to the Spring Mountain track this Saturday in the middle of a cold spell (well, cold for Southern Nevada). Low in upper 20's, highs in the 50s is forecast. I have been on track with RA-1s only in 70+ weather. Do RA-1 have much different adhesion characteristics on a cold track (I have SO3 on for street that I can use too)?

I'll be there too, I look forward to meeting you!

RA-1s will work either way, i've ran them in 25* and once warm (Required more pressure to get them up to temps) they did very well. But since it's so cold, the S03's will work too, so it depends on which tire you wanna put the miles on.

 

[NSXDreamer2]

just leave your RA1 on. I also had the similar experience, 24 when we arrived the track, even the high were only 33. (This is based on a M3 in-car temp gauge). I had 210 track miles that day. Porbably one of the longest I ever had.

Aside from keeping yourself warm, you will find it quite a wonderful experience, less wear on tire and pads. I never tried, but they see those hot hands package in convienience stores and sport stores. That should help keeping yourself warm when you were out of your car thougout the day.

 

[BioBanker]

I drive my RA1s around freezing often, BUT DO NOT IN ANY WAY PUSH THE CAR.

If you're just going down the highway, it should not be an issue. If you're thinking of running the dragon in the very cold, you could have an issue.

Think of the RA1s as having the worst ever traction in the cold. I would treat them with the same driving care as you would the worst ever summer tires on a track.

Below 7degrees celsius, they've got worse performance characteristics (before theyre heated up) than a snow tire.

 

[lvrdnsx]

Thanks for the advice. No problems with the RA-1s all day, I took it easy during the first run when it was coldest, got lap times down to 1:28s by the end of the day on the 1.5 mi short course (first time using Traqmate).