less grip as the re050's wear out?

spearfish25

Many events won't let you on track with such little tread (your tires are 'dead'). I too once thought that at least dry traction would improve as the tires become bald. However, some guys on here pointed out that the heat cycling of the tire over its life leads to decreased traction by the time you get to the bald point. Perhaps someone else will chime in further.

Get new tires before your next event!

__________________
2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

ChrisSlicks

Heat cycling often kills tires before they wear out, but this is under racing conditions. Anything short of Tail of the Dragon on the street typically wont put enough heat into the tire to be counted as a heat cycle.

What kind of driving have you been doing?

boosted180

i've been doing at least one track day and/ or auto-x a month. i've had 5 events so far since i bought the car in september. i use the car for daily driving also of course.

i didnt realize heat cycling would be an issue on these tires after only 5 events. my hankooks used to take way more cycles. the absolute worst tire when it comes to heat cycling are the rt-615's. i'd get maybe 3 events on them before they become completely useless. i call them "plasticized".

ChrisSlicks

Yep, but for each track day you probably had 4 sessions with a long break in between, this multiplies the heat cycles. At auto-x you typically get 2 heat cycles, morning runs, and afternoon runs (or something to that effect). As you noticed the number of heat cycles varies dramatically by tire, but most of the 140TW Bridgestones seem to be good for around 25 and then start to fall off.

Some drivers also swear that age makes a difference, and that they can tell the difference in performance of a new tire that is 1 year old vs a new tire that is fresh out of the factory. This is supposedly because of some of the oils required for playability are leaving the tire. I don't think I'm that good, but I do like the smell of fresh rubber!