Heat cycling new tires.

[HawkIVette]

Once in a while, I will read about heat cycling new slicks for drag racing. Someone pleases give me info on what this does for the tire and how this is best accomplished. Thanks

[Luke@tirerack]

The first time a competition tire is used is the most important. During that run, its tread compound is stretched, some of the weaker bonds between the rubber molecules will be broken (which generates some of the heat). If the tires are initially run too hard or too long, some of the stronger bonds will also be broken which will reduces the tire's grip and wear qualities. Running new tires through an easy heat cycle first, and allowing them to relax allows the rubber bonds to relink in a more uniform manner than they were originally manufactured. It actually makes them more consistent in strength and more resistant to loosing their strength the next time they are used. An important heat cycling step is that after being brought up to temperature, the tires require a minimum of 24 to 48 hours to relax and reform the bonds between their rubber molecules.

[HawkIVette]

Thanks Luke, very much appreciated.