Hi,
Can anyone give me some advice on tyre pressures? I have a track day on Friday and I’m just in the process of checking the car over. I’ve fitted a new set of Yokohama Advan A048s on the mag wheels. I’ve done a bit of digging on previous posts, but I thought I would ask the question direct and see what all you track day veterans recommend.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Mark.
I am no expert but I start with 26psi cold and work from there, I normally end up with 28-30 hot as that feels right to me. Do you have adjustable dampers?
Yes, a set of Nitron adjustables. I haven’t really played with these yet. I have a track access from 9am until 4pm, so I guess I have time to play around a bit and try some different settings. From my karting days I remember that changing two many variables can send you backwards (sometimes literally!). I guess the secret as always is incremental change and keeping note of a baseline that I can always return to.
So, kick off with 26 all round then? Glad I asked…I would have probably defaulted to the old 30psi all round!
Lots of people on here know more than me and are faster. According to Seloc wisdom I am running them a bit hard on 26. After an outing they will be hotter and not the same front to rear. I think they normally read 30-32 after a session so I lower them a bit, softer on the front, 28-30. When cold again they will be 22-24. I can’t remember the exact figures. One if the instructors told me to always write the settings down an make notes on how it felt. That way you will get it right. I have never been that bothered… I adjust until they feel good.
I would worry about it to much, I used to run quite low and just make sure the wear was even. Once they were hot I’d just go around and adjust them so they were equal side to side.
You could take a yellow wax crayon with you to mark the side wall, if the crayon is wearing off to far down put a bit more air in until your happy.
… good point. Andrew Walsh (car limits) told me to look for a little triangle in the sidewall close to the tread. If you are just scrubbing the triangle mark the pressure is right. Past the triangle, too soft, not touching too hard. I do use that mark and and forgot as it has become second nature.
See the link, bottom of the page.
Keith
Thanks Keith, that link made for very interesting reading. I didn’t even know about the wee triangle… 
Lots to consider in there.
I’m actually looking forward to getting some quality time with the car. I have seen Andrew Walsh’s name coming up a few times as I have been looking into getting some driver training. It’s a bit of a hike to his place from me…but if he’s good it’s worth it.
I’m in with a load of BMW’s apparently for this track day…should be interesting to see how the wee Exige get’s on.
Enjoy. I am not sure Andrew Walsh does the training now. Car limits always lists a different instructor. There are plenty of good options down here but I do not know about your area. Car limits in Essex, Don Palmer in Leicestershire, CAT driver training at Millbrook.
Most track days have instructor time that can be booked on the day or in advance, just do it.
I had my car set up at Rob Boston Racing and they set 25/25 cold. Seems pretty good to me!
I would not start with tyres pressure too low. It can cause premature issues with your tyres.
What pressure do you run them at on the road? probably 27-30 psi?
Start at that on track. Do a few laps to familiarise yourself with the track and to get the car and its components gradually up to working temperature.
Come into the pits and carry out a basic check. Start with your tyre pressures. If they have increased too much then alter to a happy medium of maybe 28 psi?
Check wheel nut torque settings and oil level.
Then go out and do some more laps.
Repeat this during the whole day and you will start to get a feel for where the tyres feel happy at.
As you increase the pace throughout the day you will also increase stress on the car and tyres. So keep everything monitored and all should be fine.
Once you are happy with the track, got to grips with tyre pressures then start to look at altering the shocker settings.
Again increase gradually (increase the hardness) then go out and see if you can feel any improvements. It is easy to go too hard so do not be alarmed if you have to soften off again.
On tracks i have driven previously i have a mental note on what damper settings i have previously used, but quite often i have to deviate from then depending on the track surface condition on the day.
Most of all enjoy the day, remember its a track day and not a race 
Hot pressures: Front 23, Rear 25
Seems to work for me (but everyone is different) and I get even wear across the tyre.
What’s as important is the temperature.
A048s have an optimum operating window of 65-95 deg C
28 hot all round for me and I think this is what Yokohama suggested when they were used in the Elise Trophy races, probably start off around 24/25 if the weather is warm/ dry.
I’m sticking with a wax crayon. Just go steaming into the corners and sort it out when you get there. You’ll be fine.