So I have the OEM RE070s close to the wear bars... and this upcoming track day in 2 weeks will probably be their last gasp.

While rotating my tires a few weeks ago, I noticed a nail in my left rear tire. I'm not losing pressure yet so I didn't try to pull it. I'd really like to plug this thing before the track day, but the tire shop won't do it since I'm close to the wear bars... So my options seem to be:

1. Leave it in. (not considering... too dangerous on the track)
2. Buy a patch kit and try to patch myself (Is this safe?)
3. Get a new set of tires before the track (I'm hesitant because my tires and still good, and I'm cheap)

Ideas?

 

get new tires, or see if someone is selling their used OEM set

 

someone correct me if i'm wrong, but brand new tires aren't that sticky until you wear them off a little. but yea, get new tires. you don't want your tires exploding at the track.

 

Buy a new tire. Why risk anything? If you patch a tire, it lowers the speed rating on it. New tires > repaired or old ones. :x

 

Err, don't buy just one tire, unless you shave it down or want your diffs to get messed up.

If you don't want to buy new tires just yet, try finding another shop to get it patched.

 

Oops, I meant to say buy a new set.

 

No point to discuss, buy new ones, if they are at the wear bars- not only will any reputable tire shop refuse to patch it, but you probably won't pass tech for your track day.

 

Buy 1 worn RE070 off NASIOC, i-Club, or IWSTI.

Nothing wrong with using tires with very little tread left for HPDE's.

RA-1's are best when shaved to their wear bars, and they're definitely allowed at track events.

 

^ yeah someones gotta have a few 070s lying around.

 

You can have a tire shaved, I just got a shaved S-03 from TireRack, it was around $20 extra. I went to a tire shop - had them measure mine, and had the new one shaved to match. If my other 3 were nearly worn, I would have bought a new set no two ways about it. Tires are very important - save money by choosing a different tire, not by trying to eek life out of worn higher performance tires.

I suggest buying new tires and drive them a lot before the track day. JZ is correct, the mold release goo they use to separate the tires from the molds makes them slippery when new.

Food for thought, if you buy a new tire and have it shaved so that it's basically worn out and then get another nail in any of the 4 very vulnerable tires between now and the track day, you will probably be really pissed. Also, even though the rubber will be worn to the same height, it will be newer and fresher than the other 3 depending on their age. This also makes a difference.

 

Keep in mind an evenly shaved/prepped race tire is VERY different from a nearly worn out street tire.

 

^ true. all the heat cycling a worn out road tire goes through changes its overall grip. but as far as tread depth goes, it should be ok considering his tires are just about to touch the wear bars, not totally bald right? there should be plenty of meat left for a track day if you find another tire of similar tread depth.

 

Obviously it depends on how the street tire is "worn out." Track organizers allow legally "worn out" RA-1's, so they should also allow legally worn out street tires. I'm not telling him to buy cording RE070's.

Most tires are faster at the end of their treadlife (unless they are heat cycled out). A prime example of this is the Falken FK451 which is pretty slippery until about 4/32nds.

 

^^word. 2/32nds is plenty for a track day (especially at a NASA weekend track event.. lol).

 

Two of my tires are patched, and they have lasted 2 1/4 track days and plenty of street driving.