Bigpower

stuartstaples wrote:Slicks (or more likely) cut slicks will be ok if you have suitable roll over protection, as per Cadwell. Out of interest, what sort of tyres are you thinking of using?

Avon A30 (or R30, I forget), a radial slick. I have a set simply because they were available cheap part-worn, so an economical choice relative to A048/R888 and the like. The Impreza has no rollcage however. At Cadwell, the organiser's insurer required "adequate rollover protection" for cars using slicks - a bit arbitrary but that's the line they drew. Snetterton management may take a different view - is there someone I could phone to check?

cheers
Andy

The owners and (I would assume)insurers would be the same so I can only imagine that the rules would still apply. If you phone one of the guys at the circuit (01953 887303) they should be able to confirm. If they are a full slick (ie no tread) I would say that using them would be a no-no. If they are treaded I would just use them anyway. Full slicks with no roll cage is just asking for trouble, and that's if you can use them in mid December....over to you.

Thanks Stuart, I phoned and was told they have no specific restrictions on slicks. Obviously I'll be mindful of the weather, not only having alternative tyres in case it's wet, but making sure they're warmed up properly given likely December temperatures.

Before Cadwell I discussed the issue with Chris at Circuit Days - some insurers impose restrtictions, some don't, and if it hadn't been for that he would have been happy for me to use them.

He did say, though, that the insurers are becoming more restrictive and likely to outlaw slicks/cages generally at trackdays next year. This is something that's happened in bike trackdaying (which has been mainstream for longer than car trackdaying) with slicks/racebikes being confined to their own session. This is more of a compatibility thing, to reduce speed differential within a group. Having done a few years of bike racing I can only agree with this one - a bike racing class has closely matched machinery, but in open practice sessions anything goes and it can be scary

As for rollover probability, I'm not convinced it's any more likely than with trackday tyres. Sure, going from road tyres to trackday tyres you increase the cornering forces, and increase them potentially further with slicks. But, how handleable it is depends on progressiveness and predictability of a slide more than anything.

cheers
Andy

From my first experience of using full Dunlop slicks and treaded/cut tyres like the Dunlop Formula R, there was quite a lot of difference in feel of grip levels. The full slicks took a lot longer to warm thoroughly even comparing similar compounds and the lack of progression when grip broke was alarming (well the first few times ).
I would agree that caged/slick prepared cars should probably be kept away from normal road going cars, but surely the open pitlane format suits more experienced drivers anyway? Basically a lot of this boils down to the basics~ trackdays are not supposed to be competitive but we all like to put our foot down and if we can overtake we will. Trackday/Race prepared cars will normally be travelling at a determined pace and a novice may be intimidated by the speed differentials.
If the insurance companies decide to outlaw cages and cut slicks etc the trackday companies will fold overnight. This all sounds to me like a insurance company banging the drums to hike prices or the trackday organiser doing the same.
Sorry for the 'off topic' rant, feel free to split if need be

I have run my last Evo at Snetterton on slicks, was a warm day tho!
Grip levels very high i have not used a road tye to compare grip.

Liam

Did they build up much pressure during a session Liam?
I'm hoping to have my first "long circuit" outing on slicks next year.

Yes they increase in presure with the heat, dpending on the car most set cold pressure to mid 20 psi then run 3 or 4 laps heat them up then check pressure.
Usually climb 3-5 psi tyre car dependant.
In the end in the Evo you where doing 90 odd through the bomb hole complex starting to 4WD drift :-D :-D you have to back off when you find the marbled rubber on the dirty line.

Liam

Thanks, I've got something to go on now I've never had any experience on them and I'm dying to get out there!

Just read my post 3 or 4 laps not 34

Bit trial and error to get the best for your set up ask around on the day and take a good pressure gauge and pump

Liam

I did thought 34 laps was a bit of a grand prix so I thought you ment that . I was thinking about starting at my usual pressures then just playing it by ear.