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Anybody ever drive to the track on their slicks?

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Old 06-19-08, 04:31 PM
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Anybody ever drive to the track on their slicks?

I live about 20 miles from the track. I was thinking about throwing the slicks on there and driving there instaed of hauling them there and putting them on.
Of course I wouldn't do this if it was raining. Course there wouldn't be any racing if rained anyway.
I know they are illegal, but I have seen people around town driving on them.
Old 06-19-08, 04:37 PM
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Are you talking R compounds or full slicks? Theres a big difference; R compounds are DOT legal. I've driven much farther then 20 miles on R compounds, you paint might pay for it though.
Old 06-19-08, 06:25 PM
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Have I done it? Yes
Is it the best idea? No

I drove my A3S04 Hoosiers on my FD to quite a few events before I put a hitch on it to tow the tires. You really have to be careful of tramlining (or however else you describe it). The car will jump lanes on you quickly if the pavement is irregular. You will shoot gravel on your car also. It is still considered a heat cycle so you will wear them out quickly. Don't even think about it in any rain more than a drizzle (and even there tread with extreme caution).

Those are all of the negatives. Here are the positives:
No trailer hitch and trailer
No carrying a jack and tires
No changing tires on site (you have no idea how many times I wished the the FD had a Street Touring Class at the end of an event).

Choose wisely
Old 06-19-08, 07:58 PM
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If I had a choice I would avoid it with DOT's. True slicks I would say no way.
Old 06-21-08, 06:54 PM
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If you will get anywhere near curbs with slicks I wouldn't risk it. Sidewalls on my true slicks are very flimsy and unforgiving of rubbing and abrasion.
Old 06-22-08, 01:01 PM
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Hum? Looks like the negatives outweigh the positives.
Such a pain putting them on when I get there. I guess I will get a truck and trailer.
Old 06-22-08, 07:47 PM
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What Tires are we talking about here? I drive 45mi to my local track frequently on Hoosier R6s.
Old 06-22-08, 09:09 PM
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Originally Posted by RXTASY57
I guess I will get a truck and trailer.
Here is an old thread with plenty of info:

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...light=hitch+fd

I have a similar hitch but I welded up a tire holder similar to a tire tail and it works great. I have towed several thousand miles to events with it. I did reinforce u-hauls welds just to be safe since it did weigh more than rated.

http://www.ntwizards.net/myimages/tiretail.gif
Old 06-24-08, 09:19 AM
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I once drove from philly to VIR and back on slicks in my friend's borrowed 944 turbo. Wasn't so bad on the way there, but on the way back we were being chased by a snowstorm the whole way. Scary stuff.
Old 06-28-08, 11:15 PM
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Heat cycles.

It depends how serious about spending $$ on tires you are. That is one extra heat cycle each way. My experience from my IT days is about 7 heat cycles on a set of R6's and they began to drop off big time. For nearly $1,000 a set, I would switch them.

And, slick still make decent grip in the rain, rains are only to avoid hydroplaning for the most part. True rain tires will melt in anything less than a downpour.

Best of luck!
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