[racer]

Just curious if DE Tech check tire date codes? or merely for sidewall cracks?

All over the tech form is items like "brake fluid date change", "Harness expiration dates" and "seat dates", "Helmet dates", likely even HANS dates but I don't recall ever seeing a "tires must be 5 years or newer" thing.

Now, most dedicated track junkies wear out tires before they age out so maybe its not an issue.. but thought I would ask.

[Dandelion]

We look at tire condition - but since many drivers don't come to pre-tech with their track tires, and it's hard to check tire condition in grid tech, it's an area which drivers need to keep an eye on for themselves. It is recommended to check tires and brakes after every session.

If a person were to really want to sneak tires in poor condition through tech...maybe that person's priorities are questionable.

[BlackTalon]

Each driver must sign their Tech Form confirming they are personally responsible for the condition of their vehicle.

But seriously, would you go out with tires you think might fail just to save a few bucks while putting everyone else on the track (and their cars) in jeopardy.

[racer]

On my recent acquisition, the car came with 3 sets of tires. The RA1s were "rains" and hardly used. The main tires are worn. I think both sets are from 2017 but I need to check. Given the cars use ( or lack there of recently) and garaged storage they are likely fine. Just wondered if it was something inspected. Maybe more an issue for green/blue cars as they may be street cars with old tires vs as I mentioned someone who's replacing tires 1-3x a year as wear dictates, vs a time issue. I am actually going to look for new tires because I would prefer a wider footprint than what I currently have, but might keep an older set as back up.

[tomfree]

Yeah, there are so many variables with how long a tire can be acceptable for track usage. If R-comps are stored off the car, bagged, and preferably where they don't get too hot or cold, they'll be safe beyond 4-5 years. Safe, but not fast.

I haven't done a PCA event in years, but I don't think anyone looks at production dates on a tire, they're just going to look for dryrot/cracking as well as cords.

[Vicegrip]

Depends on how slow you want to go. Have any of us seen an age related failure on track?

Age does impact grip. Does grip impact impacts?

[BMAN]

Witnessed a bad wreck at VIR years ago assumed to be caused by old set of R6 tires. They looked fine but were 3-4 years old. Tire gave out at the end of the back straight, ugly. Driver ok, car done.

I do look at date codes when getting into a student’s car. Especially in the rain. I also ask where the car/tires are kept. 4 year old tires, kept outside are likely to perform different than garage kept.

[Paddy]

Originally Posted by BMAN

Witnessed a bad wreck at VIR years ago assumed to be caused by old set of R6 tires. They looked fine but were 3-4 years old. Tire gave out at the end of the back straight, ugly. Driver ok, car done.

I do look at date codes when getting into a student’s car. Especially in the rain. I also ask where the car/tires are kept. 4 year old tires, kept outside are likely to perform different than garage kept.

Yep, poor Toby's car was destroyed by old/used R6 rubber. I had a takeoff Michelin slick that delaminated at VIR that destroyed my rear quarter and I quickly learned not to trust old rubber. It's a silly expensive hobby, but new rubber is much cheaper than a 993 quarter panel, bumper, paint, etc.

Older slick that delaminated at WGI damage:

[Chopper Dropper]

Originally Posted by BMAN

Witnessed a bad wreck at VIR years ago assumed to be caused by old set of R6 tires. They looked fine but were 3-4 years old. Tire gave out at the end of the back straight, ugly. Driver ok, car done.

I do look at date codes when getting into a student’s car. Especially in the rain. I also ask where the car/tires are kept. 4 year old tires, kept outside are likely to perform different than garage kept.

That could have been a time when a lot of folk were getting blowouts on R6s seemed to be a lot of 964s, that was also not on necessarily old tyres.
Dirk

[tomfree]

This is a bit of a non-sequitur, but for those of us competing in the HPDE national championship, it's harder and harder every year to justify r-comps over street tires. The current crop of street tires are SO good. I have lots of laps on RE-71Rs and Hankook Vwhatevers. They're better/faster than some race tires I've run in years past (Nitto NT-01, Maxxis Victra RC-1, older RA-1, V710, etc.).