Planet 9

I recently participated in a Driver's Ed and during the weekend, picked up a screw in the center of the tread on the R/H rear tire. I had it fixed at a local Goodyear dealer with a patch/plug so that it maintained the speed rating. I am wondering if this repair is OK for me to continue participating on the track at high speeds now that it is repaired?

Second question - the tires on my car are Continental 265 / 35 ZR19's (came from the dealer with these) - as I only have less than 5000 miles on the car, can I just get a single replacement tire for this one and be OK again for highway/track driving?

Final question: can anyone recommend a better tire (Michelan/Firestone) that would be better for the Driver's Ed/track, but also OK for daily driving? Someone told me the first thing I should do before I go to the next Driver's Ed is get rid of the Continentals!! Any suggestions?

Thanks.

PHLYBOY

Page 214 of the 2006 Cayman manual for questions 1 & 2. i.e.

"In case of tire damage, where it is uncertain wheth-
er there is a break in the ply with all its conse-
quences or tire damage caused by thermal or me-
chanical overloading due to loss of pressure or
any other prior damage, we recommend that the
tire be replaced for safety reasons."

"If one faulty tire is replaced it should be noted that
the difference in tread depth on one axle must not
exceed 30 %. Handling inconsistencies may result."

If you have not guessed these questions have been discussed extensively and you would do well to search out and read some of those comments. You should also check out the competition forums as well to see plenty of existing discussions on question 3.

A repaired tire, even when plugged and patched, does not retain it's speed rating. This might be a good tire to keep in reserve if you ever need one, but I would not take it out on the track again. I've seen plugged and patched tires after being used on the track, and if you'd have seen the same tears and blisters I have, you wouldn't do it either.

Rule of thumb as Sante Fe has pointed out is no more than a 30% difference, especially if you're going to run them on the track.

Please take a look through the tire and wheel forum - there are many, many discussions going on right now on tire suggestions for everything from daily driving to autocross and track use. There's lots of very recent info to read on this subject already.

brad

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22-year PCA Member
PCA DE Instructor