XRAY - Model racing cars

What sort of changes do people make when the track temp gets a bit too high for the temp ratings of the tyres?

For most race series we have a spec tyre, so if the track heats up too much we just have to make do.

My setup seemed good on new tyres, but was immediately a little loose from the second run onwards.
New tyres with the hotter track temps (50-55degC) worked OK for a few laps, then they went off as they heated up too much.

This was with Sorex 32RY's
Different additive regimes didn't seem to make much difference, so is there anything you might do with cambers, or links etc?

Thanks
Skiddins

im not sure if it would work but i would say maybe try less camber all round an you would have less tyre surface on the track around the corners but tbh the brca should let you use the same tyre but with a harder insert in situations like this

We had similar issues at Bedworth yesterday. I think the 32s were so far out of their window there wasn't much that could be done. Track temps were around 50deg, and my tyres were coming off around 52deg even if I drove it smoothly. Tyre wear was horrific, destroyed a set after about 6 runs (normally get 12-15 runs).

A few guys changed to Sorex 36 (as it was just a club meet) and had loads more grip, and better wear, although tyre temps were the same.

So I'm going to spend the week carefully changing some 36 sidewalls to say 32 in case it's like this at Adur

I agree the track temp of over 50deg C is just way beyond the usable range of the 32's, what you could have tried was larger or more vent holes in the rims/wheels to allow for 'more breathing' of the insert and inner parts of the tire,

I was also at West London for BTCC yesterday. I was wondering whether there is any point using additive and warmers at so high temperatures. Do they make any difference?

I was probably one of the few drivers setting my fastest lap times when the track got really hot. But that is probably because of lack of experience with this track, since this Sunday was the 1st time driving there. It took me a while to find a set up for my T3 11.

I did use additive and warmers but had the warmers turned right down (35degC) which was only just above the temp of the other tyres sitting on my pit table all day.

Skiddins

I used additive but no tyre warmers (after Q2) yesterday and did not have any problems with the Sorex 32s. Checking the times of my main rival I noticed that from lap12 onwards almost every one of my lap times from Q3 thru F3 was faster. I put this down to him maybe using warmers and having his tyres overheat. Certainly the track speeds were down 0.4 on fastest lap time and around 10 seconds on race time.

If I were going to change anything (and I did not apart from the warmers) I guess I would go softer on the springs - but the car was handling real nice so that was never considered!

Here's my first modified A-final, didn't start the camera for the 2nd A-final, DOH. Track was around 50degC at this point;



You can see me struggling through some of the corners, but the front runners seem to have much better turn in etc, but without the rear being loose.

Skiddins

Hey damo,

The only thing I can think of is reducing the droop all round as the track gets hotter, maybe 6/5 rather than 5/4. Ive always found more droop heats the tyres up quicker.

I was running 6/5 droop and 5.5mm ride height at the beginning of the day and the car was jumping a lot over the bumps, especially at the first corner after the main straight.

When I changed it to 5/4 and 6mm ride height for the finals, I felt the car behaviour improved and also my lap times were improved, although the temperature had raised.

For higher temperatures we tend to go towards heavier shock oil and softer springs.