What about the life of the tires ?

Have you ever faced the tires problem? Do you ever wonder how many laps your tires may keep their grip? When should you change?

I was surprised to find no really accurate information about it. Neither in the manual of GTR2, nor in the various forums, nor even in the Engineering Guide created by lexo1000.

The only useful information regarding the tire life is: "The best compromise in dry weather is probably soft slicks at the front and intermediate rear slicks. Until you don't do big drifts, skids or oversteer, this combination of tire should hold thirty minutes, without too many problems. In addition, plan pit stops or if you're really daring, opt for hard slicks. ".

But that does not tell us how many laps it will take? If I have to run for 35 laps, do I necessarily use hard tires, or can I opt for intermediaries?

This is where free testing is required. This non-formal meeting, which allows in reality, to develop a car, helped me to get an idea on the life of tires.

Of course, some factors will play. I think especially in the type of circuit : does it have little or a lot of corners? Is it short or long? But also the damper settings. This is the experience that should speak.

Here are the results of my labor.

On the Barcelona circuit in 2003 with a Porsche GT3 RS (propulsion):

- The soft tires placed in the rear hold 15 rounds, those ahead 20 laps.
- Intermediate tires placed in the rear hold 35 rounds, those ahead 40 laps.

The Rookie

Picture : Doug Darby

Doug Darby