I have a set of RA1 (my first set of r-comp tires) and one of them has a nail in it, do you think it's a good idea to patch it or just run it to the ground? Friend suggested, rubber will not out last nail, so just run it to the ground. Well, my concern has to do with safety, so any help from you guys will be appreciated, thanks.

IMO, I guess you guys will have better idea here than the wheels & tires forum.

 

If you have a nail in the tire, at least remove the nail and plug the hole with a do it yourself plug kit. Or take it to a tire shop and have it patched from the inside. America's Tire / Discount Tire do that for free, usually.

If you're going to use the tire at high speed like a track event, ignore what I wrote above. I really don't know in that case.

Don't run with the nail in the tire no matter what.

 

Agreed with not running with the nail.

I've run patched (by Discount) street tires on the track with no problems. I've never run patched R-compounds. I would be a little more hesitant to run an R-compound right down to the cords if it were patched. It would depend on where the patch was located.

 

Nail is stuck in the middle of the tire. Well, reason why my friend discouraged me patching the tires, is because r-comp tires have different characteristics compared with street tires (softer compound, reaction with heat, etc.). If tires are patched, air will still leak after couple runs on the track. So, I am just trying to get some idea what's the best way to do and I am in no hurry, cause my next track event should be sometime in May. Thanks for your responses, guys.

 

Air leaking is not likely to be the cause for concern. And I assume you check your tires after each session anyway, so you would find out if this were happening.

It's the strength of the tire carcass that is more of a question. It's probably "good enough". I guess another factor would be the age of the tire -- if it is brand new I would be a lot more likely to patch it than if it only had a track day or two left in it anyway.

 

Do not use a plugged tire on the track.

Do use a patched tire at the track. A patch is applied to the inner side of the tire and is a rather substantial addition. I've used patched R-Compounds in the past without complaint. It will work fine all the way down to the cords.

My real complaint: Why must I pick up screws in the pit area?

 

I've had the same experience as Jerry, patched Toyo RA-1's on the inside and ran them down without a problem.

 

I've run patched and pluged, they both work just fine on the track. I keep a plug kit w/ me in the trailer and wouldn't hesitatte running a plugged tire.

IMO.

-Ry

 

Ditto on the plugged tire. Ran more than one RA1 like that.

Oh wait... don't ever do this.

This post is intended for entertainment only and not as advice.

 

FOD. Always bad. Usually preventable.