Running a plugged or patched tire for track use?

Boost_lee · 08-25-2011, 04:06 AM

Hey track folks, I'd like to hear some of your thoughts on this. I have a track day next Saturday, and I justremembered that one of my rear tires is running a plug style tire repair.

^ not my tire, but its that style of repair

I do not want to take a chance running just a plug, so I was thinking about getting a proper plug/patch repair, as shown below

^with the patch on the inside and the plug to prevent debris from entering the puncture hole and wearing down the patch

How do you guys feel about running a patch/plug repaired tire? Have any of you run repaired tires on the track? If it is properly done, will it hold up to track abuse? The track is a 1.8mi course, not sure what the top speed is, but the longest straight is 962ft. This is just a mini school event so I think we only get 2 runs of 25 minutes each. If it is too dangerous, I might have to buy an unexpected pair of rear tires before the event

Any constructive comments are welcome, I don't want the typical "if you have to ask, you already know the answer" type stuff.

ResIpsa · 08-25-2011, 09:50 AM

I just finished a track weekend at Summit Point running on three patched (not plugged) tires. Summit Point is a 2 mile circuit with an 880 m main straight. I reached top speeds right around 120 mph.

I must admit that I was a little bit worried, but I experienced no issues.

I suspect that most people would never recommend tracking a patched tire.

However, if you decide to run on the patched tire try and not think about it. If you have ever run on a track before you know that distractions can lead to disaster.

And don’t tell your instructor…

cossie1600 · 08-25-2011, 10:21 AM

i have done it and i am not proud of it, but it was hard to throw away a brand new 300 dollars tire

it was on a plug near the sidewall too....

if you do, get it patched if you can. i mean usually if you have problems, they will leak and not blowout anyway

just be careful

wh1te370z · 08-25-2011, 11:12 AM

Yea i wouldnt really sweat it. Youll prob be fine

Boost_lee · 08-25-2011, 02:02 PM

Thanks, I'll take the tire to get a professional plug patch done this Saturday. I just can't remember if this tire has 1 or 2 plugs in it.

If there are 2 I might look into a replacement used tire (stock 275/35/19 RE050A)

ResIpsa · 08-25-2011, 02:13 PM

You are not going to have a hard time finding used RE 050A tires. They are all over the place.

A quick glance on Ebay shows one selling for $120. Not bad!

However, they are probably patched...

spearfish25 · 08-25-2011, 03:10 PM

You'll be fine with plugs. I ran Road America up to 135mph on the straights with 4 plugs in my rear tires. If you're using the vulcanizing plugs, you'll be A-OK. Worst that could happen is the plug dislodges and you lose air pressure. But that won't happen if you plugged them correctly with vulcanizing plugs.

Boost_lee · 08-25-2011, 03:31 PM

Thanks, I've been reading up on the vulcanized patch/plugs and I think I'm going that route.

Does anyone know if Discount Tire does vulcanized patch plug repairs?

sig11 · 08-26-2011, 02:20 PM

Interesting. I didn't think folks plugged tires at all anymore. I thought if it was bad enough to need more than a patch they would refuse to repair. 'em.

spearfish25 · 08-27-2011, 12:16 PM

Blackjack tire plug kits. It'll be your best friend when you need it. I can plug my tires and be rolling again in under 10 minutes. The only reason service centers won't plug a puncture in the tread area is so they can sell you a new tire. Obviously these kits don't work for slices or sidewall damage.

BlackJack Tire Repair | The Leading Manufacturer and Worldwide Distributor of Tire Repair Products

cossie1600 · 08-27-2011, 01:22 PM

I carry a plug kit in my car for emgerency

Boost_lee · 08-27-2011, 03:46 PM

Thanks all, I got my tire plug removed today and used a patch-plug to replace it.

Hope it holds up next weekend

08-25-2011, 04:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
Boost_lee A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SATX Posts: 2,813 Drives: 09 370Z TT 6MT Rep Power: 29	Running a plugged or patched tire for track use? Hey track folks, I'd like to hear some of your thoughts on this. I have a track day next Saturday, and I justremembered that one of my rear tires is running a plug style tire repair. ^ not my tire, but its that style of repair I do not want to take a chance running just a plug, so I was thinking about getting a proper plug/patch repair, as shown below ^with the patch on the inside and the plug to prevent debris from entering the puncture hole and wearing down the patch How do you guys feel about running a patch/plug repaired tire? Have any of you run repaired tires on the track? If it is properly done, will it hold up to track abuse? The track is a 1.8mi course, not sure what the top speed is, but the longest straight is 962ft. This is just a mini school event so I think we only get 2 runs of 25 minutes each. If it is too dangerous, I might have to buy an unexpected pair of rear tires before the event Any constructive comments are welcome, I don't want the typical "if you have to ask, you already know the answer" type stuff. __________________ My TT Z

08-25-2011, 09:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
ResIpsa Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 564 Drives: 09 RACING HEN Rep Power: 338	I just finished a track weekend at Summit Point running on three patched (not plugged) tires. Summit Point is a 2 mile circuit with an 880 m main straight. I reached top speeds right around 120 mph. I must admit that I was a little bit worried, but I experienced no issues. I suspect that most people would never recommend tracking a patched tire. However, if you decide to run on the patched tire try and not think about it. If you have ever run on a track before you know that distractions can lead to disaster. And don’t tell your instructor… __________________ The Reed Law Firm; Michael Fasano VA Attorney and Counselor at Law: A Virginia Traffic, Criminal, and Family Lawyer.https://reedlawva.com/

08-25-2011, 11:12 AM	#4 (permalink)
wh1te370z Track Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York, Long Island Posts: 559 Drives: PW Base Sport 6 Spd Rep Power: 16	Yea i wouldnt really sweat it. Youll prob be fine __________________ 1998 BMW 328is... Track Build 2010 White 370z.... sold

08-25-2011, 02:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
Boost_lee A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SATX Posts: 2,813 Drives: 09 370Z TT 6MT Rep Power: 29	Thanks, I'll take the tire to get a professional plug patch done this Saturday. I just can't remember if this tire has 1 or 2 plugs in it. If there are 2 I might look into a replacement used tire (stock 275/35/19 RE050A) __________________ My TT Z

08-25-2011, 02:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
ResIpsa Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 564 Drives: 09 RACING HEN Rep Power: 338	You are not going to have a hard time finding used RE 050A tires. They are all over the place. A quick glance on Ebay shows one selling for $120. Not bad! However, they are probably patched... __________________ The Reed Law Firm; Michael Fasano VA Attorney and Counselor at Law: A Virginia Traffic, Criminal, and Family Lawyer.https://reedlawva.com/

08-25-2011, 10:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	i have done it and i am not proud of it, but it was hard to throw away a brand new 300 dollars tire it was on a plug near the sidewall too.... if you do, get it patched if you can. i mean usually if you have problems, they will leak and not blowout anyway just be careful

08-25-2011, 03:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	You'll be fine with plugs. I ran Road America up to 135mph on the straights with 4 plugs in my rear tires. If you're using the vulcanizing plugs, you'll be A-OK. Worst that could happen is the plug dislodges and you lose air pressure. But that won't happen if you plugged them correctly with vulcanizing plugs. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

08-25-2011, 03:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
Boost_lee A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SATX Posts: 2,813 Drives: 09 370Z TT 6MT Rep Power: 29	Thanks, I've been reading up on the vulcanized patch/plugs and I think I'm going that route. Does anyone know if Discount Tire does vulcanized patch plug repairs? __________________ My TT Z

08-26-2011, 02:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
sig11 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Detroit Posts: 1,294 Drives: 09 370Z Red Sport-MT Rep Power: 18	Interesting. I didn't think folks plugged tires at all anymore. I thought if it was bad enough to need more than a patch they would refuse to repair. 'em.

08-27-2011, 12:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	Blackjack tire plug kits. It'll be your best friend when you need it. I can plug my tires and be rolling again in under 10 minutes. The only reason service centers won't plug a puncture in the tread area is so they can sell you a new tire. Obviously these kits don't work for slices or sidewall damage. BlackJack Tire Repair \| The Leading Manufacturer and Worldwide Distributor of Tire Repair Products __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

08-27-2011, 01:22 PM	#11 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	I carry a plug kit in my car for emgerency

08-27-2011, 03:46 PM	#12 (permalink)
Boost_lee A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SATX Posts: 2,813 Drives: 09 370Z TT 6MT Rep Power: 29	Thanks all, I got my tire plug removed today and used a patch-plug to replace it. Hope it holds up next weekend __________________ My TT Z

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