A Look At The Top Race Tire Problems
Posted on: 8 February 2018
They give you the insane ability to handle a track at high speeds and ensure your car is perfectly stable while it happens. Racing tires are one of those components that auto racing would almost be impossible to accomplish without. While most racecar drivers know the ins and outs of what tires are the best and all of that, many have little knowledge about the faults that race tires can develop with age or improper care, or even wear. here is a look at some of the most common race tire problems you should always know as a race car driver.
Freeze Cracks
Race tires are far more dense in composition than regular automobile tires. Therefore, they do not stand up to cold temperatures quite the same, and they definitely should not be stored in colder temperatures. Leaving race tires in cold temperatures too long will cause a problem known as freeze cracks, which is exactly as it sounds; the rubber gets so cold that cracks develop around the outer wall of the tire. If these cracks are not caught before race time, it can completely inebriate the tire's ability to gain traction and maintain stability. This is one reason why it is critical to only use climate-controlled storage for your racing tires.
Circle Cracks
Circle cracks, sometimes referred to as circ cracks or circular cracks, are fissures that develop in almost a complete, if not complete, radius around the outside wall of the tire. These cracks tend to develop with wear and age, but they can also be caused by prolonged cold exposure or repeated fluctuations in temperature. These radial cracks are incredibly important to watch out for, and can sometimes be hard to spot if they are on the backside of the tire and not the front.
Pitting
Pitting is small indentations in the surface of the tire on the outside. Pitting ca occur for a couple of reasons, such as atmospheric exposure to chemicals or contaminants, but most often, pitting of the tire occurs because the tire is ready to be retired. Naturally, the high-friction contact of the tire against the asphalt can cause pitting if slight pebbles of gravel or debris get in the way. You will usually notice pitting after a few runs, but it is not a real problem unless the pits grow deeper and wider than just small imperfections. When the pitting is highly noticeable, it is a good indicator to replace the tires.
Contact a tire service, like Frisby Performance Tire, for more help.
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