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With
everything done on time, we are able to line up near the front.
This is less of an advantage than it might be because we will not
be able to go fast until the new tires have been properly brought
up to temperature.
The
general accepted 'best' method for scrubbing in new tires is to
be gentle on them at the start of the lap and progressively lean
on them harder. The third lap should be done at full speed and,
on most tracks, another lap at full speed is fine but always a slow
cool-off lap is required. Finally the tires should sit for over
24 hours.
Our
plan is two warm up laps, two hot laps, a cool down lap and 4 hours
sitting time before we race. If only the other racers would cooperate.
We
do the first warm up lap and then everyone takes the green flag.
3/4 of the way around the track, a car has a mechanical problem
and parks himself in the middle of the track. Race control is forced
to black flag qualifying and everyone must pull into the pits. The
flat tow the car off the track and we are sent out again.
The
car feels down on power. The car is only running on the front motor.
There is too many race cars screaming around on qualifying laps
for me to try and solve this problem on the track. I am forced to
do a lap on half power and pit again. I cycle the switches and both
motors come to life. I pull back on the track.
Who
knows how this will effect the tire break in. I progressively increase
the tire loading during my out lap. By the last turn, I am 100%.
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