Cal Club Autocross Forums

These event are (of course) run quite differently.

4 to 5 practice runs - little to no time to set pressure & water tires - and really not any place in grid to do it

break - tires cool down

4 to 5 practice runs - etc see above

break - tires cool down

3 timed runs - again no time / place to set pressure

So if I set my usual preferred pressure and run those laps I end up about 6 psi gain & much higher than I like

but if I set cold pressures really low - it would almost be dangerously low on the first lap & maybe second?

So what do you guys who run with Orange Coast do about tire pressure? Steve A, Steve E? Anyone?

Should I adjust the hot tire pressure to what I want for the rest of the day after the first set of practice runs & then not do anything during the cool down periods?

The only time I've run w/ PCA (several CSCC ppl went), we got our own SCCA/CSCC line so we could check our pressures, etc.

since they probably won't adjust their grid for just one person, maybe you can just set it 3 psi below before your first run? You'd also have to adjust accordingly depending on if it's cold or hot weather when you run.

I always have time between runs. You can get someone to help you also. As long as the starting line has someone lined up, your not holding up the event. Sometimes the grid guy will get excited, but just tell him the "relax" and you'll be on your way soon.

Steve A.

Steve Abbott wrote:I always have time between runs. You can get someone to help you also. As long as the starting line has someone lined up, your not holding up the event. Sometimes the grid guy will get excited, but just tell him the "relax" and you'll be on your way soon.

Steve A.

Thanks guys!

I've never had an issue with checking tire pressures at PCA events. You just need to not waste time. If the run groups are small (i.e., fast turnaround) I pull up behind the grid, do tires, then get into the line. Water spraying tires is more of a problem because you'll need someone to pit for you.

There is no requirement to pull immediately back in line in the grid. You can pull aside at the back to check your pressures without blocking anybody as Steve suggested. We usually start at the 'desired' pressure in the morning and bleed off whenever we can. By the afternoon, there should be some residual heat and you won't see such a big swing in temperature anyway.

Stephen Yeoh wrote:There is no requirement to pull immediately back in line in the grid. You can pull aside at the back to check your pressures without blocking anybody as Steve suggested. We usually start at the 'desired' pressure in the morning and bleed off whenever we can. By the afternoon, there should be some residual heat and you won't see such a big swing in temperature anyway.

Thanks Stephen, it was better later in the day as the tires kept some heat, even with the break in runs.