autocross with bald tires?

jetguy · 01-29-2012, 06:13 PM

im thinking of keeping my old bald tires for a autocross tire...kinda like a slick.
would the bald tire have more dry grip than a new fully treaded tire?

squeaky350 · 01-29-2012, 07:22 PM

no, you will be all over the place

Kingbaby · 01-29-2012, 07:31 PM

Are you planning on prepping the course yourself?

I see lots of sweeping in your future!

DarkJak · 01-30-2012, 10:52 AM

The bald tire may have a larger contact patch, but the rubber is not going to be as soft as that of a new tire, which would greatly offset any advantage you get from the lack of grooves.

Thechidz · 01-30-2012, 10:54 AM

I kept my balds because I'd like to use them for more of a drag type track setting

osbornsm · 01-30-2012, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkJak

The bald tire may have a larger contact patch, but the rubber is not going to be as soft as that of a new tire, which would greatly offset any advantage you get from the lack of grooves.

Nail on the head.

Johnny Reb · 01-30-2012, 11:51 AM

The common treaded tire has a hard rubber compound vs. race/track slicks. As fellow member DJ has stated, your car will be like a smacked as$, all over the place. Also, there are safety concerns as the rubber thin.

If you are serious about racing, talk to the Members that race. I know several that race SCCA, and can advise with good info on how to set up your Z.

Racing is fun, and can also be dangerous. Do not compromise your safety, and the safety of competing race drivers, with bald tires. In fact, it is likely that such bald tires may disqualify the vehicle at the pre-race inspection. Invest in race specific tires.

Cheers,

JR

.

vividracing · 01-30-2012, 02:32 PM

Bald street tires ARE NOT the same as slicks. If they were, wouldn't people be selling their old tires for high prices to racers? Bald tires are unsafe and have terrible traction.

kenchan · 01-30-2012, 02:50 PM

all you will need is this...

ChrisSlicks · 01-30-2012, 02:52 PM

Bald street tires are actually pretty good at auto-x, however the difference from bald to corded is a pretty fine line on these tires and you are at greater risk of a severe puncture.

They are no where as sticky as a race slick though and most of the gain you get is from absence of tread squirm and a slightly larger contact patch. I always went slower at auto-x when I replaced my tires, was very disappointing

kenchan · 01-30-2012, 02:56 PM

chris- tirerack has shaving service for your tracking needs.

ChrisSlicks · 01-30-2012, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

chris- tirerack has shaving service for your tracking needs.

I know but I am also cheap, so I try to make them last as long as possible

Besides now that I have a trailer I pretty much just auto-x on race tires.

kenchan · 01-30-2012, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

I know but I am also cheap, so I try to make them last as long as possible

Besides now that I have a trailer I pretty much just auto-x on race tires.

nice!

GaleForce · 01-30-2012, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

all you will need is this...

That stuff is awesome for RC car racing! Excellent traction aide. But the smell.... wow!

HKYStormFront · 01-30-2012, 03:57 PM

yea my xgf autox'd her 350z quite a bit last year and we bought a set of used tires that fit her OEM wheels (she had a 2nd set of infiniti wheels for "street") for $25/per tire and they lasted her for the whole year. they weren't great but not bad. they had ~2/16's of thread left, right at the wear bars. that's a good, cheap way to do it

01-29-2012, 06:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
jetguy Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: atlanta Posts: 311 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 15	autocross with bald tires? im thinking of keeping my old bald tires for a autocross tire...kinda like a slick. would the bald tire have more dry grip than a new fully treaded tire? __________________ Z1 intake tubes,K&N,sprint booster,side stripes,9500ix, blendmount,laser jammers,AVIC-X920BT,TS-C720PRS, PRS2200DT,2x BTA6250D,275/40/18 conti dw, dynamat,reversed the +/- on the floor shift,tint,cover

01-30-2012, 10:54 AM	#5 (permalink)
Thechidz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: NY Posts: 1,009 Drives: Nissan 370z Monti Bl Rep Power: 16	I kept my balds because I'd like to use them for more of a drag type track setting __________________ I <3 my car

01-30-2012, 11:51 AM	#7 (permalink)
Johnny Reb Base Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The O.C. Posts: 11 Drives: 2005 ZR Rep Power: 15	The common treaded tire has a hard rubber compound vs. race/track slicks. As fellow member DJ has stated, your car will be like a smacked as$, all over the place. Also, there are safety concerns as the rubber thin. If you are serious about racing, talk to the Members that race. I know several that race SCCA, and can advise with good info on how to set up your Z. Racing is fun, and can also be dangerous. Do not compromise your safety, and the safety of competing race drivers, with bald tires. In fact, it is likely that such bald tires may disqualify the vehicle at the pre-race inspection. Invest in race specific tires. Cheers, JR . Last edited by Johnny Reb; 01-30-2012 at 12:02 PM. Reason: Added Info.

01-30-2012, 02:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
vividracing The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Gilbert, AZ Age: 38 Posts: 7,306 Drives: 350Z,370Z,GTR Rep Power: 39	Bald street tires ARE NOT the same as slicks. If they were, wouldn't people be selling their old tires for high prices to racers? Bald tires are unsafe and have terrible traction. __________________ Rocky @ Vivid ♦ 480.966.3040 x236 ♦ Rocky@vividracing.com Email, PM, or call me directly for aggressive The370Z.com member pricing!!!

01-30-2012, 02:52 PM	#10 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	Bald street tires are actually pretty good at auto-x, however the difference from bald to corded is a pretty fine line on these tires and you are at greater risk of a severe puncture. They are no where as sticky as a race slick though and most of the gain you get is from absence of tread squirm and a slightly larger contact patch. I always went slower at auto-x when I replaced my tires, was very disappointing __________________ Hotchkis ARB \| Stillen CAI \| Art Pipes \| Berk CBE \| Stillen AP Racing Brakes \| AE Performance Oil Cooler \| BC Racing ER Coilovers \| Doran Control Arms

01-29-2012, 07:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
squeaky350 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Moorhead, MN Posts: 2 Drives: jeep Rep Power: 14	no, you will be all over the place

01-30-2012, 10:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
DarkJak A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 1,397 Drives: 2009 370Z Rep Power: 16804	The bald tire may have a larger contact patch, but the rubber is not going to be as soft as that of a new tire, which would greatly offset any advantage you get from the lack of grooves.

01-30-2012, 02:50 PM	#9 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	all you will need is this...

01-30-2012, 02:56 PM	#11 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	chris- tirerack has shaving service for your tracking needs.

01-30-2012, 03:57 PM	#15 (permalink)
HKYStormFront A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Greer, SC Posts: 14,954 Drives: 06 Frontier SE 6spd Rep Power: 52	yea my xgf autox'd her 350z quite a bit last year and we bought a set of used tires that fit her OEM wheels (she had a 2nd set of infiniti wheels for "street") for $25/per tire and they lasted her for the whole year. they weren't great but not bad. they had ~2/16's of thread left, right at the wear bars. that's a good, cheap way to do it __________________ Patrick // 06 Frontier 6spd Nismosis // Mods: Uprev Tuned @ Z1 Motorsports: 257whp & 292 ft lbs 09 Pontiac G8 GXP // M6 // Sunroof // Tint... For now

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