Id like to ask how anyone with experience has found hoosier r6's perform as they wear.
i have a set that are on the tread bar but still have 2-3mm in them if you measure the small holes on the LHS and RHS of the tire.

how low can these go before the tire stops performing really well?

 

We have measured in terms of heat cycles.
While driving DE events we could get 14 heat cycles per set, when racing that would drop to 9 due to the way the tires were being driven harder.
They always still looked good, but you could definately feel them letting go in tight turns.
Ps, we always take new tires out for a couple of easy laps on the first run then bring them up to temp for a lap or two then let them sit for at least 48 hours tp let the rubber cure before we start counting a heat cycle.
Hope this helps

 

i am doing 15 minute sprints
tyres heat up to approx 175 degrees F or 80 degrees C
then they cool for 30 minutes (not fully cool obviously)

6 runs in a day.

that would obviously count as 6 heat cycles?

 

Yes that is 6 heat cycles. You will know when they are done, you will notice a considerable more amout of slide.
Be sure to do the first heat cycle and 48 to 72 hr cool down. It really adds to the length of the tire.
We have three sets of tires, wheels that we are always cycling through so that you have a fresh set that has been heat cycled ready to go.
I have tried to buy the set from Tire Rack pre heated and they did not seem to last as long as when I did them myself.
Also, if you can use nitrogen, the tire pressure fluctuation is not as great cold vs hot as oxygen.
Have fun and drive hard!

 

I bought mine from tire rack pre heat cycled

interesting that after 10 heat cycles, the tyre was sliding much more as you suggest. i managed it by using them for short 5 minute sprints and they where at 85% of original grip v when they got really hot and it felt like 70% of original grip.

the grip was surreal when the tires where fresh.

i am on the tread bar now or close to it but there is 2mm to 3mm of tyre left when measuring the holes on the sides of the tire.

i will try cycling them at the track next time - thanks

 

Heat Cycles Is The Key And The Magic Number Is 12 For Me

 

Hey guys, I'm new here and I don't own a Porsche. I do have experience with Hoosier "R", "A" and Grand-Am spec. compounds. For sure, heat cycles are the limiting factor for Hoosiers, save maybe the "A" compound in certain situations. I will be experimenting with tire warmers soon. Aside from the obvious reasons to use warmers, the manufacturer claims if the tires are brought up to temp in the morning and kept "hot" between sessions (practice, qualifying, race or Time Trial sessions) the tires get only one heat cycle. Now I understand this is the tire warmer manufacturer talking and I have yet to talk to Bruce or anyone else at Hoosier to see what they say but it sounds plausible. If anyone is interested in my "real world, seat-of-the-pants" analysis, let me know, I'll post what I think.

-Michael

 

keen to get any feedback

 

If your using the Grand Am spec, you are using slicks, totally different animal. You need tire warmers to keep them heated so that your not putting a cold tire on in the middle of a race. You might get a test and tune run or two, a 20 minute qualify race, and a 30 min sprint race out of one set. In a Grand Am Race you will be going through sets in a race.
I believe the A compond is for autocross. A real soft tire that heats up very fast and is used by autocrossers for thier short runs.

 

I agree, about the tires being different animals, I was just making a point that I have experience with more than one type of Hoosier. That being said on the GA front, for KONI challenge ST, the tires last the entire race distance, at least 2hrs. In so far as the "A" compound is concerned, while that tire is designed for autocross, plenty of people RR the tire, even on heavy Mustangs. Don't take my word for it though, call Hoosier and ask for Bruce Foss. I'm not trying to convince anyone of anything. I will be testing tire warmers for many reasons, one of which is to see if we can make the Hoosiers last/perform longer, they certainly have plenty of rubber left when they start going off. If no one cares, I certainly will keep my time, money and efforts to myself.

-Michael

 

Should have said " make the Hoosier R6 last/perform...."

 

I made the mistake of buying some scrub R6's due to the fact that I only buy new tires for competition and figured the scrubs would at least offer decent grip, they still had some tread left, but unfortunately for them tread does not = traction on the R6.

I'll never do that again, they were sliding all over the place with VERY little throttle input. So this is all good news to me, I have to assume the tires had well over 15 cycles in them and driving fairly quick with a 3600 lb car didnt make them happy.

 

Max1os, sorry I thought you were trying to compare slicks with R6's. I, and assume others, always appreciate feedback that anyone has to give.
The old attage, it's easier to learn from others trials and tribulations.
If you are expermimenting with tire warmers on R6's I would love to know if any changes in life span.
It seems to me that as I get better, I drive the car harder and the tires and breaks are lasting shorter and shorter.
Anything that can help is GREATLY appreciated.
For the what it is worth catagory, I have also used R888's and had great results with longer tire wear, a more gradual and manageable loss of grip, but my lap times were slower.
Wouldn't it be great to have a sponser to pay for slicks and use them like kleenex!!!!!

 

I just had a great idea.
Everyone send me there old R6's and I will bring back the Wadichi sandal!!!!
Not sure of the spelling, but you guys remember the 70's??
Hey Aussie, can you set me up with the founder of Croc's, maybe he will finance my venture.