track tyres worn out

1. vts-luke Established Member Joined: Dec 2008 North Posts: 1206

   #1 14th September 2009, 00:52

   may be a silly question, but..
   the likes of toyo r888 and yoko a048's, when they have worn down fully to the extent that they are no more grooves on them (effectivly worn out therefore slicks) would this give them the same characteristics of slick tyres as they are just bare rubber no cuts, or would the life in them be gone as soon as they wear past the grooves?
   thanks
2. jpsaxo Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Oct 2005 Sydney Posts: 8525 Mango Westcoast

   #2 14th September 2009, 03:13

   Im not really sure, but either way they wont be road legal like that Lol
3. TU-Tuning Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: May 2006 Bristol Posts: 16575 JP4urio, 306 DTurbo SportShed

   #3 14th September 2009, 03:17

   By that point the sidewalls would be annihilated Id imagine so it wouldnt matter anyway
4. littleracer Trouble Maker Joined: Feb 2008 hook,hamshire Posts: 3426 black citroen saxo mk2 & focus ST '225',merc C180

   #4 14th September 2009, 08:21

   iv heard theyd grip all the way to the chords tbh.
   
   one of my r888 had gone slick an i noticed no change in grip level what so ever.Bu thats just one tyre,next track day should bring two to slick lol.
   
   in theory if they grip to the chords they should increase a little more in grip by going slick.
5. vts-luke Established Member Joined: Dec 2008 North Posts: 1206

   #5 14th September 2009, 10:40

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by jpsaxo Im not really sure, but either way they wont be road legal like that Lol

   they wouldnt be used on the road, only for track.
   

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by littleracer iv heard theyd grip all the way to the chords tbh. one of my r888 had gone slick an i noticed no change in grip level what so ever.Bu thats just one tyre,next track day should bring two to slick lol. in theory if they grip to the chords they should increase a little more in grip by going slick.

   thanks, thats what i wanted to hear, although i can tell your not sure, and its the opposite of what ben said about grip levels..
6. Ryanp Super Moderator Joined: Feb 2004 Tonbridge United Kingdom (England) Posts: 38236 Vtr, 172, throttle bodied track slut

   #6 14th September 2009, 10:43

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by littleracer in theory if they grip to the chords they should increase a little more in grip by going slick.

   depends on the compound/way the tyre is designed.
   
   Its not as simple as increasing the contact patch.
   
   R888s a few people have said they just run them till they really are dead though
7. AlexR Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2004 Kunt & Sorrey Posts: 5763 Rep mobiles & Joes ma

   #7 14th September 2009, 10:50

   When they wear to slick the characteristics will change, you need tread blocks to move in order for the tyre to turn, otherwise the steering feel changes a lot and handling will be affected. You will get more grip though yes.
   
   Can wear them down a lot.
   
   Ben - You'll struggle to wear an R888 sidewall...
8. Mochachino Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Nov 2007 Guantanamo Bay Posts: 28700 oyster card

   #8 14th September 2009, 14:00

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by AlexR When they wear to slick the characteristics will change, you need tread blocks to move in order for the tyre to turn, otherwise the steering feel changes a lot and handling will be affected. You will get more grip though yes. Can wear them down a lot. Ben - You'll struggle to wear an R888 sidewall...

   Think he mighta meant the shoulder, but the sidewalls on R888s are very stiff though.
9. vts-luke Established Member Joined: Dec 2008 North Posts: 1206

   #9 14th September 2009, 23:32

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by AlexR When they wear to slick the characteristics will change, you need tread blocks to move in order for the tyre to turn, otherwise the steering feel changes a lot and handling will be affected. You will get more grip though yes. Can wear them down a lot. Ben - You'll struggle to wear an R888 sidewall...

   when you say you need tread blocks in order for the tyre to turn, do you mean as in for the tyre to rotate when going in a straight line or to steer when cornering?
10. liam-o Established Member Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 1346

    #10 14th September 2009, 23:41

    cant see it being a problem, as long as the track is bone dry, even slightly damp and on slicks you may as well be on ice.
11. littleracer Trouble Maker Joined: Feb 2008 hook,hamshire Posts: 3426 black citroen saxo mk2 & focus ST '225',merc C180

    #11 15th September 2009, 09:13

    remember slicks will only grip in the dry btw,as they will not be able to disperse enough water.
12. user_36594 Established Member Joined: Aug 2009 Weston Super Mare Posts: 1298

    #12 18th September 2009, 19:23

    just out of interest roughly how many track days do u think u cud do on a set before they need replacing?
13. KamRacing Saxperience Addict Joined: Nov 2006 A farm shed in Aylesbury Posts: 14916 Corolla AE86 Peugeot 205 B18C (in bits)

    #13 18th September 2009, 21:40

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by littleracer remember slicks will only grip in the dry btw,as they will not be able to disperse enough water.

    not quite so - they will grip better up to the point where there is enough water on the road that they aquaplane.
14. Ryanp Super Moderator Joined: Feb 2004 Tonbridge United Kingdom (England) Posts: 38236 Vtr, 172, throttle bodied track slut

    #14 18th September 2009, 21:42

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by liam-o cant see it being a problem, as long as the track is bone dry, even slightly damp and on slicks you may as well be on ice.

    Not totally accurate to be honest. A slick can still grip in damp conditions depending on the compound, way the car is set up etc..
    
    

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by scholesyy just out of interest roughly how many track days do u think u cud do on a set before they need replacing?

    How long is a piece of string, how hard do you push them, how many laps do you do, how much power do you have etc...
15. KamRacing Saxperience Addict Joined: Nov 2006 A farm shed in Aylesbury Posts: 14916 Corolla AE86 Peugeot 205 B18C (in bits)

    #15 18th September 2009, 22:46

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by scholesyy just out of interest roughly how many track days do u think u cud do on a set before they need replacing?

    depends on how you drive.
    If you drive smoothly with no excess scrubbing you could do 5 or 6 trackdays. Some people though kill a set of tyres in one session...
16. user_4681 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2004 Grimsby United Kingdom (England) Posts: 5489 SUPERCHARGED saxo vts

    #16 20th September 2009, 17:34

    my front pair have about a day left in them. time will tell