Heat cycling shaving

[Whiplash]

Gonna get me some r888rs. Is heat cycling and shaving worth it...?

[Lawineer]

If you're going to track them, yes.

They'll likely heat cycle and be rock hard before you go through all the tread.

[Fulltilt]

Back in 2005-2010 we ran shaved Toyo R888 Proxes. Not sure how different those tires are from what your running. Personally, I feel like heat cycling the tires makes them more consistent and last longer. The few times I heat cycled tires (I should have done more) we would run a lightly higher psi than we would normally start the race with and do 3 or 4 laps going from 1st lap - 65% speed 2nd lap - 75% speed 3rd lap - 85% then the 4th lap 95%. Something like that. Then run a cool down lap and store the tires in a climate friendly place if possible. I'm far from an expert on tires but I always felt like you didn't want to shock the tires. You want to bring the temp and psi up slowly.


I'll be curious to hear what the current track rats think.

[str5010]

@Fulltilt - I sent you a PM awhile back, did you get it?

[Arizona Vipers]

I say no. But it's obviously highly debatable. If you thought the manufacturer could make the tire perform that much better and last longer, wouldn't you think they'd already do it on a tire like the Triple 8?
Honestly you aren't going to notice a difference either way imo. The triple 8 is a badass tire, great lap times, last a long long time, very consistent.

[TrackAire]

Gonna get me some r888rs. Is heat cycling and shaving worth it...?


If they have your required sizes....have you considered the Toyo RR's? I liked them better than the R888R's and I feel the tread pattern may work better without shaving since they don't the huge void area to squirm around. You can still shave them resulting in a near slick...just something to consider.

[Lawineer]

I say no. But it's obviously highly debatable. If you thought the manufacturer could make the tire perform that much better and last longer, wouldn't you think they'd already do it on a tire like the Triple 8?
Honestly you aren't going to notice a difference either way imo. The triple 8 is a badass tire, great lap times, last a long long time, very consistent.

R888R isn't a no compromise tire. It's not even good tire, imo.

[Whiplash]

R888R isn't a no compromise tire. It's not even good tire, imo.

Why?

[Whiplash]

If they have your required sizes....have you considered the Toyo RR's? I liked them better than the R888R's and I feel the tread pattern may work better without shaving since they don't the huge void area to squirm around. You can still shave them resulting in a near slick...just something to consider.

I have...I travel in the car and need a reasonable tire if I get caught in the rain. Thanks!

[TKO MOTORSPORTS TEAM]

Gonna get me some r888rs. Is heat cycling and shaving worth it...?

No shaving is not necessary. Really only time you would use shaving is in classes that require street tires or if you have the luxury of a large tire budget. Heat cycling works well when done correctly and its great option if your working with limited practice sessions. If your just out having fun on track heat cycling is not necessary. You can simply skuff your tires in during first session. Skuffing tires is a skill all drivers should learn.
" skuffing" has 3 or 4 definitions depending on what type of tracking to racing your doing. Road racing or open tracking " skuffing" is simply heat cycling your tires and loading the tire to set side wall tire structure. " Skuffing" is also one of the black arts and every tire guy or driver/tire guy has their secret voodoo ritual that can involve holy water and a conjuring of local track spirits find what works for you.

This is a real basic step by step the way we do it but like i said everyone has their own ritual that works for them

1. mount tires fill with compressed air 10-20 psi over recommended pressure. If you can let them sit for 1-2 hours preferably in the sun day of event. This will help set the tire structure and also make sure bead is set
2. Evac compressed air and fill with nitrogen. Your spending hard earned money on good tires dont waste your time and money with compressed air.......... Use nitrogen.
3. Mark all your tires with tire crayon or paint pen. RF, LF , RR , LR on the side wall. Also mark position of tire stem with tire crayon line or paint pen line on side wall. You can add tire set # and what track on each tire EX: mid ohio set one = MO-001. This will help when your trying to remember next track day how many laps you have on tires and where.
4. Set cold tires pressures. find what works best for that tire and you
5. Skuff tires. Coming out of pits before on track spin up the tires ( burn out) and hit brakes. Not a john force funny car burnout just a quick spin up and then brakes make sure the car behind isnt to close. Be courteous some organizers may get a little scared
when you do this you dont want a black flag
6. Outlap ( first lap) moderate speed dont get to crazy trying to get temp in tires. Your just trying to get all the oils in the tire to surface and gas out and get surface skuffed in. Some tires may take 3-5 laps you will start to feel when grip increases
7. Come in pits and if possible raise car off ground. If not possible take the long way back to pits or take a slow parade lap around pits slowly cool tires.
8. If you have a pit buddy have them take Hot tire pressure and check valve stem mark for slip right when you get off track. No pit buddy check hot tire pressures and valve stem mark for slip when back in pits.

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

Gonna get me some r888rs. Is heat cycling and shaving worth it...?

The only accurate answer is MAYBE. Define "worth"

YOur driving venues, style, miles, Combi Track-Street? , wet/dry, all matter.

[Whiplash]

WTF!? Can't find no r888rs....what's up with that crap.

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

WTF!? Can't find no r888rs....what's up with that crap.


Old News...... dont hold your breath.....

Street / track combo? 90% street? How about sticky P-Corsa?


JonB@PartsRack.com

[Whiplash]

Old News...... dont hold your breath.....

Street / track combo? 90% street? How about sticky P-Corsa?


JonB@PartsRack.com

Hmmm, have heard mixed reviews on those corsas, some love em, others not so much. My question would be are they better with straight line traction (mostly street/some strip) than the r888rs...especially since they are a little more expensive.