Using a tyre temp gauge for track days

[Paul_M]

I am looking for some advice on using a tyre temp gauge during track days. I understand that the basic idea is to measure tread temps across the wheel and from this you can use this info to refine the suspension setup and tyre pressures.

I already have a good quality tyre pressure gauge and have been using this to play with tyre pressures and keep them under control. Plus my MY99 WRX has adjustable front and rear swaybars, rebound adj. koni inserts with king springs and a rear camber kit, so there is plenty of scope for adjusting things.

So any beginners advice on what to look for, what are normal temps, what is too hot or cold and so on? And how then do you use this info to refine things? eg hot outer tyre edge might mean you need more negative camber or greater tyre pressure on that tyre or something else (as an example of the sort of info I am looking for).

Tyres are street tyres (Goodyear Eagle F1's, but next set will probably be Falken Azenis RS) so temp advice should relate to these sorts of compounds I guess.

Also, advice on good brand tyre temp gauges, approximate costs and so on would be great.

cheers and thanks,
Paul

[T99]

I would just make sure that you are working most of your tyre, and not just the inside half or halfway down the sidewall. I would look at how the tyre is wearing as a guide for a roadie.

But being a street tyre, I don't think there is any point looking at temps, the tread blocks (or rather gaps in the tread) will allow you to slide a lot giving inconsistent readings. Play with pressures certainly.

Also, depends on car and track. If you have a squillion hp car and a track with lots of straights, I guess your advantage is going to be in getting power to the ground and less so in getting around the corners.

Temps also depend largely on the type of tyre etc.

[Paul_M]

T99,

It suprises me that you say this. I would have thought it would still give useful information, even on street tyres? Wouldn't higher temps give you advanced warning that something needs adjustment before you get to see uneven wear?

Also, I would thought it would be a good guide for keeping the tyre healthy overall. As an example, a friend switched tyre brands once and his new tyres blistered on the outer edge (while running at the same pressure that his previous set ran fine at on previous track days) and he ended up having to throw them away. I would have thought that if he had a tyre temp gauge, he would have seen greatly elevated temps on the outer edge (whatever number that may be), and have realised that he should revise something before he killed the tyres? Maybe even have realised that the tyres simply weren't suitable for track work.

My car is an MY99 WRX with mods to give it around 160-170 kW at all four wheels. Track is Mallala, which is known for being very hard on brakes, but also has some twisty parts at the eastern side. So the tyres are getting a fair workout. If my interest is sustained, I will be fitting R-compound tyres with big tread blocks, so maybe it would be more relevant with these tyres too?

Finally, even if its only useful info with slicks, I am still interested in the theory of it all.

cheers,
Paul