jsl20

I've got a track day at Keevil coming up in a few weeks. My rear tyres currently have ~2.5mm of tread left on OEM 16" wheels, although I'm about to take delivery of some new wheels with about 4mm on the rear tyres (17").

Should I leave the old wheels and tyres on for Keevil to save the newer tyres? Obviously I don't fancy running on the newer tyres to destroy the rubber and end up having to buy new ones, but I don't know how much the track day will take off my tread depth-any ideas?! If its marginal I'll leave the 17s on.

lower

Depends entirely on how you drive.

Spies

I'd leave the 16's on and just kill those.

lovegroova

The last person to ask if they should do a track day with low tread on their rear tyres ended up in the barriers. However, that's less of a concern at Keevil as there aren't any.

Why would you want to use tyres with low grip in the scenario where you need the most grip?

I find that track day driving wears different parts of the tyre (the far edges) to what you use on the road, so it makes little difference overall.

tailhappy

+1

Put the new tyres on. Drive smooth and come back with hardly any wear on your new boots. More likely to have a "moment" on worn rubber by a mile. I recently did a trackday in an Type R at Donington with worn tyres. I should have put the new ones on but didn't and spun out (luckily not damaging the car). To give you some idea I have done trackdays for over 10 years and never spun. Needless to say I won't be gambling again on old rubber

MB

Depends what tyre they are

If it's a semi slick Yoko or Toyo, they grip down to near zero tread, and don't come with many mm when new anyway.

m1bjr

Good article on track tyres in Track&Driver this month, and next

Airfield surfaces are rough and are generally a lot heavier on tyres than a race circuit.
You are also on the brakes a lot more frequently, Keevil is not so bad but its still a small loop with many turns.

Whilst there are no barriers, if its wet you will go A VERY LONG WAY once you hit grass and begin to accelerate

Get the car sliding sideways in a rut in the field - there are some around Keevil - and you are into a rollover situation.

If you honestly cannot afford some tyre wear, these events are NOT for you.

S.

jsl20

cheers guys. i'll definitely wack on the newer wheels/tyres (they're standard Re050MZ by the way).

I'm fully aware that track days will get through rubber-i just didn't know how much! Sounds like it should be ok-its my first track day so I won't be going mental.

richmc

Track day expenses aren't all about the entrance fees you may or may not kill the rubber, are your pads in good nick? you don't want to end up buying new discs, and on that note after a spirited run DONT leave the car with the handbrake on.