I don't often buy new race rubber these days, as qualifier tires are so much cheaper, but I have a set of unused tires and want to heat cycle them PRIOR to the first race weekend in April. Can anyone suggest a way of doing this, short of taking the car to California this winter?

Larry;

How big is your oven? Got a sauna?

;D

Actually, I DO have access to an industrial (heat treatment) oven! I wonder what the process requires.  Any idea of the temp and duration?

My guess would be that you heat them up to a similar temperature you would achieve when you come off the track.  Keep them there for 15-20 minutes and them let them cool for 24-48 hours.

Google "Tire Rack" dot com. They offer the service on their performance tire sales and should be able to give you a time..

:o

I believe there's more to it than just the heat. I recall reading (somewhere....) that the process involves the flexing of the tire to mess with the molecules, or something like that.

The "heat cycling" that the Tire Rack performs actually involves mounting the tire on a rim, then running it against a roller to do the heat cycle. (maybe that's where I was reading about it)

A heat cycle in the oven might help, but I doubt it would give the same results. But let us know how it works out if you do go that route, I'd be curious to find out.

Richard

When the F1 folks pre-heat their tires, it's in a static (as in not moving) mode. Of course, right after the start they're going to take a lot of punishment.

But, the must be able to handle a good amount of heating in a static mode.

Just a thought.

The F1 thing is a different matter.. They're heating up the tires for optimizing grip right out of the pits (and its still not hot enough!). Club racers break in their tires so they last longer, rather than optimizing grip.. The slicks we use will have the most grip on the first time they hit the track, but if you run that first cycle at racing speeds, the performance will drop off much faster after the first cycle. If you break them in properly, the next time you run them they will be only slightly slower, and will stay that way for a few more cycles :) so it's a trade off most of us are willing to make - maybe lose a tenth per lap, but run the same tires for a few sessions, vs being a tenth faster and $1000 poorer!

Oh and yes I do think you need to actually run them ( on the road or against a roller) to get the desired effect.. Something about the molecules and the connections between them or something! You could mount them on a street car and go do some runs around the block, or take it to an autocross event maybe? Braking (without locking up) isn't illegal, you might be able to get enough heat in them on the street without causing a big fuss :)

Thank you all for the comments and suggestions!
The mounting to a street car may work for me, as the wheels will fit. Without actually trying them, I'm not sure the tires will clear.  I will check that out once this ice on the roads is a memory. Maybe I can find a large vacant lot to use as a skidpad!

Larry
First track day is a practice day, an ideal day for cycling tires ;) a lot better surface than Abbotsford roads ;D.
BTW which Abbotsford roads were you planning on doing race speeds for 20 minutes ??? ::).

OK, 2 things:

It's best to heat up the tires and then let them rest at least 48 hrs, or much longer if possible.  That makes a Friday practice day not the best way to get 'er done when racing on Saturday.

While I have access to closed portions of airport ramp areas if I ask nice, it would be even better if Mission had a skid pad like Thunderhill!