So my new Goodyear F1 GS-D3s are sitting in my garage (thanks to all for the advice on that purchase) and I'm almost ready to have them put on but...

I was talking with my buddy about how frustrating it is having a performance car with few outlets to really experience the full deal. Public roads are risky both from a legal perspective and safety (be it other drivers or animals. I had one run in with a deer already). Then my friend tells me we can use his Dad's work's parking lot after hours, set up some cones and practise some sweet cornering or maybe a little short drifting. One way to "finish off" my nearly-down-to-the-wear-bars OE tires anyway (assuming this isn't a dumb idea, which is an upcoming question).

So 2 questions really,

1. Although not quite down to the wear bars (or Lincoln's head on the penny), my OE Potenza's are pretty damn close. My Mazda dealer wouldn't even put them on (after taking my winters off) although when I checked myself I found they were exaggerating. The very center tread was pretty smooth and close to 2/32" but still not quite there. The outer tread was better.

I realize 2/32 is the legal limit, but what about the "screwing around in a private parking lot" limit? haha. Anyway, assuming it's dry, no rain in site, and afterwards all I'm going to do is drive to the shop to have the new tires put on... how do I know when enough is enough?

2. Should I not even bother? I do like the idea, I've rarely had a chance to do some really hard, yet safe cornering (i.e. no serious ramifications if I spin out). And I like the idea of practicing on tires about to be pitched rather than brand new ones which I also have to use for daily driving... But I don't want to blow a tire and damage something either. Right now I'm strongly leaning towards giving it a shot but I'd like some advice on how to protect my rims (I guess it could be worse too if a tire blew while in the middle of a fast corner)...

Thanks guys, this may sound immature, but keep in mind we do suffer some practicality for the performance aspects of our 8s and there really are limited options for safe venues to experience that around here (aside from the day to day enjoyment of this excellent car).

Sign up for a local autocross school or track day. The learning curve is exponentially more than what you can get out of screwing around in a parking lot without the benefit of instruction.

You should be fine doing that. My RE40's are down to the wear bar's and I'll still slap a pair on the rear when I feel like sliding around some corners without wearing down my falkens. If you are smoking them a lot I would check on them every few minutes. If the cords start showing then it's time to stop and drive mildly towards your shop.

SouthFL - Thanks for the suggestion but as I said there's practically nothing legit around here (an advanced driving school that teaches emergency stops but that's about it). There is a local track but it's an oval track where you can do a few laps. Not the kind of RX8 goodness I'm interested in :)

Jayd41 - Thanks man, that's what I needed to know!

You should be fine doing that. My RE40's are down to the wear bar's and I'll still slap a pair on the rear when I feel like sliding around some corners without wearing down my falkens. If you are smoking them a lot I would check on them every few minutes. If the cords start showing then it's time to stop and drive mildly towards your shop.

Update: So I put the worn Potenza's on and had a BLAST messing around in the self-made parking lot course we set up. I wish I got some video. I was amazed how much traction I still had, even with them down to the wear bars, or very close to it anyway (well on the center 2 grooves for sure, the outer ones were better). I even had good grip on wet roads (no standing water tho).

However today I went back with my brother and just did a few slides. Got a lot of smoke going. When I was finished and started driving away I could hear "whap whap whap" from the back passenger tire. Stopped and checked and a small strip on the inside of the tire was loose and hitting as it went around. I cut it off and continued home carefully.

This is probably a really stupid question, but am I done for real now on these tires? I keep seeing stuff about wearing down to the cords or wires. Is this what I just did? It does seem to drive fine but the only point of keeping these pretty much finished tires was for tire abuse... ;) I'm sure the fronts are in better shape as I mainly burned rubber off the back but I get the feeling I'm pushing my luck...

dont push your luck, just get your new tires on there

dont push your luck, just get your new tires on there

Yeah, I guess you're right... But it's just a strip off the inner rear passenger tire... No metal showing or anything! heh. Sigh, I guess the party's over. I might still keep the fronts tho for next time...

PM'ed you back

When I burned off my potenza's they were old and started chunking like you are talking about. Chunks of rubber were everywhere than I had to pick up, and it was just like you described...no cords, just the outer layer seperating. Sounds like you had fun though : )

Yeah, I guess you're right... But it's just a strip off the inner rear passenger tire... No metal showing or anything! heh. Sigh, I guess the party's over. I might still keep the fronts tho for next time...

i would say keep the two best ones, find some scrap wheels, and when you wanna have fun just put them on the rear..

SouthFL - Thanks for the suggestion but as I said there's practically nothing legit around here (an advanced driving school that teaches emergency stops but that's about it). There is a local track but it's an oval track where you can do a few laps. Not the kind of RX8 goodness I'm interested in :)

Jayd41 - Thanks man, that's what I needed to know!

You need to hook up with WOSCA (http://wosca.com/) - they are in London.

Not too many 8's competing last year, but lots of Miatas, BMWs, Porsches