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To get optimum performance out of our rubber, we all need heat inside our tires and not just on the surface. Tire warmers heat from the outside in, gradually heating the surface, core elements (the belts, rubber layers), and the air or nitrogen inside the tire.
In addition, we’ve seen everyone from NASACAR drivers to Karters weave back and forth on pace laps. As most of you know, this serves two purposes:
--Weaving warms up the tires.
--It also scrubs the rubber clean from dust and debris from the pavement.
If only we could all have a dedicated tire technician and the trick tire warmers like they use in F1. Since we don't, here are some tips to help you get more heat to your tires.
During the pace lap, while everyone else is just bobbing and weaving, try to alternately add more load to each tire by using the throttle and brake while you are turning. Load creates the heat which is needed to create sticky rubber. Side to side weaving helps but you can add more heat using a simple process.
1. Create a decent gap between the vehicles around you so you have room to warm up your tires.
2. If Turn 1 is a right hander, turn into the corner and as you turn, brake heavily. This adds more load to the left front tire.
3. In the middle of the corner, accelerate, which adds more load the left rear tire.
4. By continuing around the course alternating this process through each left and right corner, you'll eventually cycle through all your rubber.
You can do this on straights as well, while you are weaving but be extra careful to avoid the other vehicles. The goal is to load each tire by turning and using the brake or gas to add more load faster than if you just weave back and forth.
Next time you are on an out lap give this method a try. Eventually this will become routine and you'll be able to feel the tires come in quicker, which will allow you to go for that fast lap right away.