My original S02s are pretty much toast after 10500 miles - all 4, not just the rears. I'll be replacing them sometime in the next few weeks, and was curious as to the usefulness of keeping the worn S02s as track tires. They have enough tread where I'd feel comfortable driving to the track & back on them, but not enough to where I'd want to drive in the rain on any sort of regular basis. I don't have the $$$ for another set of wheels right now, so the old tires would have to get re-mounted/balanced any time I wanted to use them.

Worth the hassle?

 

Probably not. I hear the OEM S02s aren't as grippy when worn (mine weren't). Something about the rubber being harder the further into the tire you go. I think you'll have better results using the new tires on the track, or getting dedicated track tires that are grippier than the OEMs. However, I'm not a tire expert, so don't pay attention to me

 

Since the worn tires typically have less traction that new ones, it would seem silly to take those on the track where you would need as much traction as possible. The rubber compound on your worn tires have been heat cycled many times now, so it will likely be harder than a new set of tires. I'd stick with better tires for track. (FWIW, I have 4 worn but not dead S02's tires still sitting around that I haven't figured out what to do with)

 

I got 9600 miles on my car and I see Lincoln's head on my rears. I need to change mine before state inspection.

 

Just use 'em to do some burn outs, then dump them when you get the new tires. If you get new S-02's, try to get the OEM S-02's that have been tuned to the car. I bought the standard S-02's and they do not grip as well. I think the tire rack can get the OEM versions.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by yu888
[B]Since the worn tires typically have less traction that new ones, it would seem silly to take those on the track where you would need as much traction as possible.

 

I was using some S02's that were worn past the wear bar @ the Texas World Speedway.

To sum it up...they did not grip very well.

 

I know this is slightly off-topic...but What about using worn out OEMs for Drag Racing?

 

That's an interesting idea, KIDS2000, because the lower grip would help the tires spin easier when dumping the clutch. From my experience, worn S02s still have enough grip to absorb all the torque the engine can give them once the tires are at speed (in other words, when they catch after the spin). I suppose it would make good launches easier, however I suspect your overall time may suffer (longer time to match tires to road speed?). Anyone know for sure?