Tire Pressure Strategy for Track Days

Introduction

Tires are 90% of your performance directly. Pressure is the #1 tuning tool you have. It’s free. Use it.

The Goal: Hot Pressure

Your tire manufacturer specifies an ideal HOT pressure.

• Michelin Cup 2: ~32-34psi Hot
• Goodyear Supercar 3R: ~32-34psi Hot
• Hoosier R7: ~38-40psi Hot (varies by weight)

The Problem: Cold Pressure

If you start at 32psi cold (street pressure), you will climb to 40+psi hot. The tire will balloon, lose contact patch, and feel “greasy.”

Strategy

1. Start Low: Arrive at the track with ~28psi cold.
2. Bleed Down: Come in HOT after your first session. Check immediately. Bleed down to target (e.g., 32psi).
3. Monitor: As the day warms up, you’ll need to bleed more.

Warning: Don’t drive home on 24psi cold tires! Air them up before leaving.

Summary

Buy a good quality gauge ($50 Longacre). It pays for itself by saving your $2,000 tires.