adjusting tire pressure to tune handling

[bwill]

Most of the "regulars" to this section have a pretty good body of knowledge as to cars and driving technique. But the other day I ran into this link on adjusting tire pressures to affect handling and the proper way to work a tire pyrometer on testing to adjust pressures. Actually the site is a great site on just general driving technique, handling ananlysis, etc. and if you know of someone who wants to learn about driving and track events it is a great link to send them. I sent it to local board I belong to for a quite a few people who are starting to get the bug to hit the track. Check it out. It is a quality site.
http://www.turnfast.com/tech_handling/handling_pressure.lasso
Barry H.

[racing fan]

Originally posted by bwill
Most of the "regulars" to this section have a pretty good body of knowledge as to cars and driving technique. But the other day I ran into this link on adjusting tire pressures to affect handling and the proper way to work a tire pyrometer on testing to adjust pressures. Actually the site is a great site on just general driving technique, handling ananlysis, etc. and if you know of someone who wants to learn about driving and track events it is a great link to send them. I sent it to local board I belong to for a quite a few people who are starting to get the bug to hit the track. Check it out. It is a quality site.
http://www.turnfast.com/tech_handling/handling_pressure.lasso
Barry H.

Some local autox guys were talking about this and they were saying that each tire is created to have a maximum efficiancy level. The tires are made for specific pressures so the tires should be set to their optimum level and handling should be adjusted from swaybars, alignments, spring rates, etc. Adjusting pressure is great for racing in stock classes though, but that doesn't happen with you road racers:)

Not saying adjusting with tire pressures is bad, but there are better ways:)

[bwill]

Jeffrey,
I run in A Stock, hence my interest in tire pressures for tuning. You can't do alignment at the track (I have Lance alignment). But yeah, I play with the tire pressures throughout the day to try and get subtle changes in the handling. Obviously spring rates, sway bars, and dampener settings have a greater effect.
Barry

Originally posted by racing fan


Some local autox guys were talking about this and they were saying that each tire is created to have a maximum efficiancy level. The tires are made for specific pressures so the tires should be set to their optimum level and handling should be adjusted from swaybars, alignments, spring rates, etc. Adjusting pressure is great for racing in stock classes though, but that doesn't happen with you road racers:)

Not saying adjusting with tire pressures is bad, but there are better ways:)

[bwill]

What do you mean "that doesn't happen with you road racers?". That they don't play with tires pressures. You bet they do and it is very important. I do track events more than I do Solo 2
Barry H.

Originally posted by racing fan


. Adjusting pressure is great for racing in stock classes though, but that doesn't happen with you road racers:)

Not saying adjusting with tire pressures is bad, but there are better ways:)

[racing fan]

Originally posted by bwill
What do you mean "that doesn't happen with you road racers?". That they don't play with tires pressures. You bet they do and it is very important. I do track events more than I do Solo 2
Barry H.


I was reffering to the fact that road racers usually don't have as strict class regulations whereas autoxers are sometimes limited to only tuning with tire pressures and alighnment rather than have the adjustable shocks, coilovers and swaybars. I know everyone plays with tire pressures but some have to rely on it more thanothers

[HamRally]

I know that the Autocrossers I hang out with usually set their tire temperatures so that the tires are the limiting grip factor and not the suspension. These guys have stock cars with street tires where handling tweaking cannot occur (adjustable suspension/sway bars, etc).

But I agree completely that adjusting the tire temperature should be the last resort after suspension tweaks, if at all possible.