robertm
05-06-2008, 10:36 AM
Since the last race something has been bothering me and I can't put it to rest. I had two offs in one race at my home track. The first was in a place I've only once ever gone off (that was on a corded tire). The other was in a place I haven't lost it in years.
First off was going into or up rattlesnake. I was off the brakes, on the gas and turning up the hill. I hit the marbles and literally shot off the track.
Second off was in Big Bend. I was one car length off apex (just passed somebody I think) hit the marbles and hugely flew off track. So fast the car actually tank slapped a couple times before I caught it.
The problem is, both places I went off in the marbles, I've literally been probably 50 times before without incident.
The only difference between this race and prior experience is the new Hankooks. I'm wondering if it’s possible the stiffer sidewalls (compared to the R6 tires I usually run) are the culprit.
I'm not saying with the R6 tires I wouldn't fight he marbles, but it’s always been manageable. Both instances with the Hankooks there was nothing to manage. I was on the track then in a split second OFF the track.
So short story long, anybody notice much difference in the marbles between the Z214s compared to R6 tires?
Only other thing I can attribute this too if others haven’t seen similar results, is tire pressure. I was fighting it all day. It was very cool when the day started and every session got warmer. The three sessions before the race I had to drop 2-3 psi each time trying to get down to 38psi. It’s quite possible the tires still had too much pressure for the race as it was warmer still for the race. I wouldn’t be surprised if the tires were up to 42-43psi during the race as I just haven’t had enough test/tune time on them. Actually, I’m really hoping this is what the problem is and the tires don’t just suck in the marbles compared to R6s. A lot of my best work is done in the marbles :redspot
First off was going into or up rattlesnake. I was off the brakes, on the gas and turning up the hill. I hit the marbles and literally shot off the track.
Second off was in Big Bend. I was one car length off apex (just passed somebody I think) hit the marbles and hugely flew off track. So fast the car actually tank slapped a couple times before I caught it.
The problem is, both places I went off in the marbles, I've literally been probably 50 times before without incident.
The only difference between this race and prior experience is the new Hankooks. I'm wondering if it’s possible the stiffer sidewalls (compared to the R6 tires I usually run) are the culprit.
I'm not saying with the R6 tires I wouldn't fight he marbles, but it’s always been manageable. Both instances with the Hankooks there was nothing to manage. I was on the track then in a split second OFF the track.
So short story long, anybody notice much difference in the marbles between the Z214s compared to R6 tires?
Only other thing I can attribute this too if others haven’t seen similar results, is tire pressure. I was fighting it all day. It was very cool when the day started and every session got warmer. The three sessions before the race I had to drop 2-3 psi each time trying to get down to 38psi. It’s quite possible the tires still had too much pressure for the race as it was warmer still for the race. I wouldn’t be surprised if the tires were up to 42-43psi during the race as I just haven’t had enough test/tune time on them. Actually, I’m really hoping this is what the problem is and the tires don’t just suck in the marbles compared to R6s. A lot of my best work is done in the marbles :redspot