Thanks to KFAB !!!

[harrison]

Yesterday at Buttonwillow raceway in So. Cal, (Bakersfield,California,USA), Kfab (a forum member), wandered over to my pit area to say hello. His recommendation on tire pressures cut 10 seconds off of my lap times. He was there racing his Lotus in the Lotus Challenge Race.The Lotus' in the premier class would stomp the poop out of an R8 everytime, unless it caught fire and DNF'd like the leader of the race.(a coup) The roofless models are faster,(they say). An open ****pit did win-because of the DNFer. IT WAS AWESOME TO WATCH. A camara crew was there filming,so,hopefully we'll see the race on Telly. Once again,it was real cool meeting with Kfab. Coincidentally, Mngolfer will be meeting me today for coffee and a canyon run. My lap times finally got to the TWO minute,ten sec. mark for Track13 clockwise. Before the pressure change, I embarassed myself by doing a double spin clockwise with one spin counter,with the whole pack behind me. Fortunately I stayed on trackand didn't go into the dirt or get hit.One fellow flipped his car in the deep mud.Thankfully he ended up shineyside up in his convertible hardtop Miata. He might have drowned in the two inches of water. The incident scared many as the whole field slimmed up a bit-some went HOME. This was a very special track day for me and many others.And DESPARADO,I stay off of almost all of the rumble strips now. It is the faster way around.Thanks Coaches !! And thanx to Estebahn,for riding along with me for that elusive 2 MIN ten second, time.

[Maverick]

So what was the magic tire pressure that did the best time?

[harrison]

Pirelli P Zero Corsa race compound. 30 pounds HOT all four corners. It's time to start reading temps at inside edge, middle and outside edge for definite best pressures.Temp should be almost equal at the three points. Changing the pressure up or down will get you there. I have a lot more to learn.The limit of the car is in the grip of the turns. I drove home from the track with-out airing up,and the car felt wonderfull.The door jamb sticker says 36 rear 39lbs front. RUBBISH figures and could get you killed at the track. I almost ate it. I'll be going to the canyon later so I will air back up and warm up tires and get back down to 30 again.Should be a good time.These tires take at least a couple of miles of warming up (on the track). Different tires bring different conclusions.Now I will change tires again for a track day in Nevada.I can't risk getting to track and not allowed to track because of min.tread .Although it's 5/32 for a street tire.Mine right now are race compound.I have ten days to figure it out.There will be some SC R8s where I'm going and I will need every advantage I can get. Rear diffuser and sideskirts going on too. \"/

[kmarshall]

Hi Harrison, Good to meet ya! I am KMarshall (now aka KFAB... I like that better

I'm glad the pressure advice helped. 10 seconds is awesome!

The Lotus race was fun, but I blew qualifying. I went into qualifying with the fastest time of all cars, but then cut a brand new slick and blew it out right after Riverside so I had to start from the back. It was kinda fun trying to weave and catch up. Oh well. Next race!

Your car looked great out there! I love seeing the Audi's going on track. I was super glad it was not you on your lid. I got nervous when I saw your pit empty and the track red flagged... then I realized 20 cars were parked on track. That mud was sticky!

Have fun out there! Maybe I'll bring my R8 to a Lotus Challenge/Speed Ventures weekend and play with ya!

[Maverick]

Do you have a recommendation on a quality but reasonably price temperature guage? This sounds like a good way to identify the right pressure, I never thought of measuring center and outside edges for consistency.

[swansailor]

Do you have a recommendation on a quality but reasonably price temperature guage? This sounds like a good way to identify the right pressure, I never thought of measuring center and outside edges for consistency.

http://www.hrpworld.com/index.cfm?tp...action=product

[Raptor09]

Since the pressure recommendations on the door are for the P-Zero Nero's that the car comes with, could that have something to do with it? On the normal tyres I felt the 39/36 stated didn't provide as much grip as when the pressure is somewhat lower too..

[harrison]

I purchased a lazer temp reader from Harbor Freight for less than 20.00. But when it comes to a pressure gauge, get the one that allows release of pressure with a button. I was burning my fingers letting the tire pressure out when tires were warmed up.(using a bit of plastic to push schraeder tire valve in). \"/

[harrison]

Here , trying to warm the tires. 1-31-10 Button. \"/

[desperado]

Harry, great pic. looks like you did get that curb, though

As to tread temperatures, the laser gauge reads the surface temp. By the time you do your cool-down lap and come into the pits, shut down and read the temps, they have changed quite a bit. If you are serious about doing this it is best to use a pyrometer (fancy word for temperature meter) with a probe that you press into the tread. Here are some links to get you started:
http://www.hrpworld.com/index.cfm?tp...ction=category
http://www.hrpworld.com/index.cfm?tp...action=product