Track tire pressures

[And1M]

Hey guys, I am running the original PS2's and want to know what pressures you are using on the track. I did an intro track day a few months ago and was told to run a cold pressure of 44 psi and seemed to get a lot of tire wear.

Andrew

[MDORPHN]

Originally Posted by And1M

Hey guys, I am running the original PS2's and want to know what pressures you are using on the track. I did an intro track day a few months ago and was told to run a cold pressure of 44 psi and seemed to get a lot of tire wear.

Andrew

Who ever told you that is an idiot!

PS2s are optimal around 37 -38 psi HOT.

Depending on you drive on track, you'll see pressure rise anywhere from 4 - 8 psi. This suggests that your COLD temps, at which you start, should be between 29 - 33 psi.

Again, it's the hot temps that count. So check the temps immediately after you come off track and adjust accordingly.

Neil

[TXmtrhed]

Originally Posted by MDORPHN

Who ever told you that is an idiot!

Neil

You probably can't imagine how much worse your car was handling at those pressures. In a word (or 2): no grip.

[CarJunkie]

Not sure if there is a big difference between target temps at the track and at autocross, obviously different settings with much more sustained high temps stress on the tires at the track.

I found 38 PSI hot to be spot on for the rear, but too much understeer with that pressure in front. I have found 40front 38 rear to work the best for balancing the feel of the car for autocross.

[And1M]

She was surely sliding!!! It was my first time on the track in a car (have done it on sports bikes before) and it was a BMW Club track intro day so I went with the general advice. It danced all over the place but was still quick compared to the other cars, but also ripped the hell out of my tires.

I will be back again next Wednesday and will use your advice guys.

Cheers.

[Hobbe]

I use Toyo Proxes 888 (semislicks).
Recommended tire pressure by Toyo between 33-38 psi (warm).

[IS+1]

Originally Posted by And1M

I did an intro track day a few months ago and was told to run a cold pressure of 44 psi

I'm scared to think what a cold pressure of 44 psi would translate into after a few hard laps. The fact that an instructor would give you that advice makes me cringe. With my PSS's anything above a hot pressure of 39 psi front and back will make the car feel greasy. My pressures are right around 38-39 immediately after coming off the track, and I find that works for me. Any higher and the car gets unsettled, any lower and I may run into premature shoulder wear in the front.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by CarJunkie

Not sure if there is a big difference between target temps at the track and at autocross, obviously different settings with much more sustained high temps stress on the tires at the track.

I found 38 PSI hot to be spot on for the rear, but too much understeer with that pressure in front. I have found 40front 38 rear to work the best for balancing the feel of the car for autocross.

I've been using a 1 lb spread at 38 f 37 rear for autocross, might bump a few psi and see if I like it better.