Track rubber that deposits on r-comps is a PITA. I think reduces the contact patch, causes premature tire wear, and ultimately reduces grip. To remove the crap gobbs of rubber is not fun work. If you think that's anal, I thought I'd collect and weigh the rubber I dug off my tires after a day at Limerock - <2 hrs on track. I got most, but not all of it.


http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff266/spin9k/rubber-junk.jpg

Amazing fact --> removed 2.5 Oz/tire / 10 Oz or 5/8th of a pound of junk rubber

Aside from the question of, "Do I want 10 oz of anything stuck to my tread/my car?" ... there's the thought of wheel balance being totally mucked up.
How do you get this junk off your tires? A sharp chisel and wood rasp are what I use.

that is why some racers do not take balancing the wheels seriously?
Is that the rubber off the rims too?
Maybe you picked up someone elses rubber-----!!

^ nope..strictly removed from the rubber itself by my own hand and swept up...and the condition of my tires is often the same...rubber ribbons in different circumfrential bands dependiong on tire position.

That's nothing compared to the Solo Nationals at Lincoln last year. We pulled that much off or more after only 3 runs. Total PITA when you have to do it inbetween the Open and Ladies class heats

At the event site we use a propane torch and wide putty spatula. At home I use a heat gun. Apply the heat to the spatula. Easier if you have second person to handle the heat source while the other handles the putty blade

Lincoln was, indeed, incredibly messy. I was using my knife in between runs to hack off giant strips of rubber and tar that my tires picked up.

Reminds me of this SoloLol post from Nats in '09:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WCMgBaGez7E/SqWvlXPv2ZI/AAAAAAAAAIc/w-rNGiAqAlo/s400/ohpeeare.jpg

Link: http://sololol.blogspot.com/2009/09/sololol-is-at-solonats.html

For solo, picking the tire boogers off is important. For the road-course, not so much.

If your suspension and pressures are right, there will be little build-up in the contact areas while you are running hard. Most of it will scrub off as soon as you are up to temperature. You'll pick up some on the cool down lap, and of course if you go off line. If you are getting lots of build-up in a particular area, time to adjust pressure or suspension.

For solo, picking the tire boogers off is important. For the road-course, not so much.

I find the boogers go away immediately in both.
I usually show up at Auto-X with the previous weeks road course boogers still in place and they are completely gone by the second run.

That is a pretty normal build-up. But, in the end, it is meaningless.

I find the boogers go away immediately in both.
I usually show up at Auto-X with the previous weeks road course boogers still in place and they are completely gone by the second run.

That is a pretty normal build-up. But, in the end, it is meaningless.

I am noticing that different tracks produce crud rings in different places on my tires. Here's what my tires looked like after 2 days at Monticello NY, a 3.4 mile track high speed and technical. Each looks almost the same, and there's actually little crud deposited even after ~6 hrs on track. All 4 have the rings in the same place, about 2/3 in on the tire

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff266/spin9k/r-comps.jpg
.

Other tracks I find some tires may be collecting in the middle. Some tracks have large accumulations, while e.g. this track does not. Whether it's how well the sweep the track, or something about the surface or how hard you drive or the temp the tires get to.....really hard to tell. I never find a ring on the outside 1/3.

As to whether it matters or not... that just a difference of opinion. I don't think anyone has emperically determined yea or nay. Thinking that'd be damn hard to prove either way anyway - wouldn't it? I just prefer to start each event with as close to pristine equipment as possible, just to erase any doubt in my mind I didn't do all I could do to maximize my performance. To some it may not matter.

I just drift the first few laps of my first session and that cleans it up nicely.

I just drift the first few laps of my first session and that cleans it up nicely.

Good one - you should do a vid and add it to the DIY section ;)

Maybe you could sell the tires for more than you paid for them.