Okay to drive w/ damaged tire on a track?
 

Hi All,

I got a screw in my rear tire last night. It was fixed by using the plug technique at a tire shop today. Is it safe to drive it on a track like Laguna Seca? Hmm.. tire with screw driving on the corkscrew.. kind of symbolic.

BTW, I have Falken 452 tires 275/18/35.

Any opinions?

I think it was plugged and patched. The guy pull the screw out and put a long metal rod into the tire with some of patch around the metal rod; then he put a patch on the hole. Sigh.. I don't want to buy a new tire.. cost so much.. but i don't think i can just buy one tire since the other rear tire would have different thread. The car was on a track (thunderhill) a month ago. What to do what to do....

Btw, I drove on Laguan Seca with stock rims and Avon MX550 all season tires with a screw in my tire which I didn't even know about and I did a 2:02 on the track. It was my first time at Laguna, my tires has less than 50% thread on them, I was sliding on every turn. I wonder what will be lap time next time at Laguna Seca with wider and better tires. I hope I can do 1:50.

Car has MS springs and shocks, RB sway bars, racing beat exhaust, RP cat, slotted rotors and Hawk brakes.

Most track days do not allow patched tires...or repaired rims

repaired rims... how do they know, or even patched tyres?

It should be fine, my friend had a nail in his RE050pp and was worried about it as well. But his car did fine in Putnam Road course. no problems nothing

They don't I guess...they assume that we are all old enough to follow the safety rules.

I saw a patched tire blow on the track once...got really hot and the patch/plug delaminated and caused a rapid deflation....car went into the grass....could have been a lot worse at a different part of the track

I just cant see myself wrecking my car because I tried to run on a patch at the track. Especially over a $300 tire...

I wouldn't have a problem on the street......

and that is exactly what will happen. patches and plugs are not designed for the heat that is generated on the track. dont take the chance of having a blowout at 100mph-not worth it.
olddragger

I recently crashed my car on the track (not because of blowed tyres) and the repair bill is AUD$5K. Not worth it.

Personally, I wouldn't risk the possibility of a blowout with a patched tire. Replacing the tire will be a lot cheaper than replacing the car.

Did they remove the tire and patch it from the inside and then remount and balance the tire? If not, they just plugged it.

You want it patched from inside for a track day and not plugged as stated above. FWIW, this advice was from my mechanic who has a great reputation and has been prepping race cars for about 30 years.

^ then why does your friend recomend patching a tire for track day?

That is foolish and unsafe.

If the sponsor of the track event finds out you will be banned for life.

I do not want to be on the track with you. Did you know people get killed on the track?

Yes, they do. Remember Ben and Cory?

I had a nail in one of my RT-615s. I asked my tire salesman (he owns a shop that is HIGHLY regarded in the community both for excellent service and its participation in motorsports) about if whether or not driving on the repaired tired would be safe, and he advised me that he'd be patching my tires and to go out on the track with it. He COULD have sold me an extra tire.

2-3 track days on it, and I'm still alive:)

^^^ You could play Russian Roulette with a revolver and be alive 5/6 times as well......the sixth time is the problem.

Is risking uninsured damage on the track, or potentially fatal accident from an at speed blowout.......worth a $230 tire.....(really two would be better :D:)

You gotta pay to Play...Buck up and be safe!

needs an internal patch too to be safe; either one by itself is not good, you need both an outer sealer plug and an internal face patch

The internal patch prevents the plug from blowing out and the plug prevents water and other nasties from getting to the patch or inner tire laminate zones to prevent the patch coming loose or delamination

damaged tire
 

I had the same thing(screw puncture), and got it was fixed by Discount Tire where I bought my Yokohamas...drove it at the Autobahn Country Club, combined track,abot 3.75 miles in total without any problems...even when it rained. I did not go hell bent for leather, but did push it , and had a great time...If you're near Joliet, Il you know about this track...if you see an event there, its worth the $$.Check car clubs, who often rent it out for weekend fun, but usually only one of two courses. I went on a Monday and we drove the combined course, which is really worth doing.

+1 for Autobahn, Great track.