I had my fire extinguisher installed. I had my headlights covered. I even got my little blue triangle to show where my battery was.
I made it through scrutineering with no problems and got my number.
And then, just as I was at the front of the line and all ready to do my time trial, I noticed this:
That big scar you can see right across my “L” (click the pic to enlarge) is a great big tear in my front-right sidewall. Considering the tyres were already overinflated I decided to err on the side of caution and pulled out of the event. My spare wasn’t suitable for this kind of driving and I just didn’t want to take the chance on this one.
Call me over-cautious, but the last time I was at this track I left on the back of a tow truck. Better to have a deflating experience than an explosive one.
So it looks like at least 2 new tyres for me this week, and another long wait before I can get out on the track.
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The good news: I had to join the Mini Car Club to participate today, and members of that car club (or any other CAMS-affiliated club) can use the track for practice sessions at a rate of just $65 for a day. I think I’ll have to build up some time at work for a day off!
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Sorry to hear that, but I know that you know you made the right decision. No reason to leave it to chance. You’ll have your day.
Yeah, I just would have been driving over-cautious and holding everyone up if I’d stayed there. And if it went bang……
Actually, a guy in a Nissan Skyline went off the track just as I was considering what to do. I was literally at the front of the line and would have led the next group onto the track. The Nissan guy and his car were both OK, but the ‘off’ helped me considerably in the decision-making process.
Well done Swade, like Gripen says you will have your day.
I’m off to Millbrook in a moment with Alex, its 10 to six on a Sunday morning,,,I should still be sleeping, lol.
Ahh c’mon, what could possibly go wrong on a track day?
;p
Well done.
Your decision was right. As soon as you start having doubts, you have nothing to look for at a track.
The scar in the sidewall of your tyre however is not that grave as you might think. It depends on the dept of the incision. If it goes until the carcass of the tyre, it’s over. If not, it is only diminishing the reserves against damage of your sidewall. In intact rubber there is your insurance. If damaged your insurance is gone, but it doesn’t blow immediately.
My dad once passed a car doing 80 kph before he noticed his SAAB 9000 had a flat tire… Swade, you should consider buying a SAAB, they only need three wheels. Check this website: http://www.trollhattansaab.net/ — lots of SAAB nuts there.
Wow, it’s always the tires giving you the trouble!
Ahhh comeon havent you ever seen The World’s Fastest Indian (Wouldn’t want a New Zealander to show ya up), the cracks let the tire expand… alittle black shoe polish in that and your fine!! : p
Good call, Swade.
Rune – *whamshot
I’ve been trying to figure out if my tires are underinflated for like a month. Every meter I check says they’re all at 32, but they always look flat. Plus, every time I look at them, I swear they change. It’s nerve-wracking.
As Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry in Magnum Force once said “A man’s got to know his limitations”.
The probability of the tire blowing out on you while you were driving on the track is unknown however the consequence of a blow out could be catastrophic.
You were wise, and you applied the appropriate risk management technique: avoidance.
To have pressed on would have been impetuous and foolish.
Very smart–never fool with safety–and we need you! Next time will be soon.
B
Unfortunate pre-incident, but better safe than sorry.
My Nissan passed Tech inspection okay before the autocross, yesterday. I got 8 runs (each only lasting about 1 minute) & I was playing with tire pressures all day. I actually had them up to 50 PSI at one point. Later after the event, I checked the sidewall – it said max tire pressure should be no higher than 44PSI – WHOOPS!
Nothing out of consequence happened…you’ll do fine to wait, Swade!