So got some new tires last week and just my luck I picked up a screw in one day of driving on em. These are my tires I am only running for AutoX (including to and from the events). I am wondering if I should patch it or buy an all new tire. I have read and heard that once it is patched it looses the speed rating. Since these are only being abused I am unsure whether or not I should buy a brand new tire or just patch it. If these were just my daily's I would patch it with no question. What does everyone else think? Attached is a picture for reference.

 

My vote is for a patch. I picked up a 1.5" bolt through my tire at the track in a similar spot on my right rear RE11A. I had the tire patched so I could make it home with no problems, and I have driven the tire nearly to the cords and have had absolutely zero issues with the tire losing pressure. This is under thorough abuse as well and at high speeds. Patch. Especially with the screw right through the main tread blocks with plenty of room around the hole.

For auto-x the speed rating shouldn't really be an issue. You are likely to be doing anything near 100mph I would imagine?

 

Have a tire shop patch it on the inside. The same thing happened to 2 of my very new star specs, and the patches were fine.

 

Todd, take it to Discount Tire. They will plug and patch it for free. I've been autocrossing on a patched RS-3 for about a year, and haven't run into a problem with it.
I wouldn't lose any sleep over it for auto-x, or even light track use.

 

With a plug patch your tire will be fixed properly.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=77

 

like the others said just plug and patch. you will be fine for autox. if i were road racing the car and getting in higher speeds i would replace it but you will be fine at low speeds and daily driving.

 

Ive driven plugged tires on road courses with speeds touching 120mph several times and never had a problem.

 

Plug patch / patch plug. Whatever you want to call it. I tracked on star specs that were patch plugged with no issues

 

thanks everyone for the feedback! I am just starting my AutoX career and was unsure how safe that would be... and Discount Tire really patches for free!?!?!?!

 

yup!