sf_c63

I originally posted this in the wheel/tires section but had a fellow Rennlister PM me suggesting I post here for thoughts/feedback....

I recently got a nasty screw/nail in my right rear tire. Considering it's a 100TW tire that often sees the track for HPDE's, how repairable is it? Any special considerations to take if I try to have a tire shop plug it? I'll bite the bullet and buy a new set of rears if it's unsafe to drive on track with a patched tire, but genuinely curious to hear your experience. It's a damn shame too, I only have two track days on these...

winders

Think of the consequences of a repaired tire failing....that should answer the question.

sf_c63

Can I get away with replacing the single tire as opposed to both rears? Tires have two track days on them + 500 miles or so of street driving,

2/3 tracks I frequent are CCW.

Appreciate the insight…this is a new experience for me

winders

Sure....but how much life is left in the good tire?

needmoregarage

I recently had an unrepairable right rear flat.

Cup2 with 5k miles and one track day.
New tread on Cup2, is 7/32. Mine had 4/32 on all four tires.

I learned that Porsche recommends a difference no greater than 30% between tires on the same axle.
But not knowing how the front vs rear grip would be affected, I bought 4 new tires.

I don’t race. Just do hpde. But I’m conservative and would rather give myself every chance for safety so I
didn’t want two brand new tires on the rear and 2 front tires with 5500 miles on them at the Glen a week after installing the tires.

When you measure the tread, this might give you some things to think about.
And remember you are also heat cycling your tires on track so there’s more involved with tire wear than just the remaining tread.

ExMB

Just judging from the location = No

85Gold

^ to close to the edge.

Peter

thebishman

Pretty sure anything within 1”-1.5” from the sidewall renders the tyre non-repairable from a safety standpoint.

Nowanker

Looking at the angle of entry... It's close to the sidewall but not that close.
That screw might have not even punctured the cord. I'd repair it if needed, but that's just me.
Damage, if any, is to the more lightly loaded inside edge. I wouldn't be too worried about catastrophic failure.
Unless you're doing 180 on the banking at Daytona...

'Proper' repair is to plug from the outside to fill the void, then patch from the inside.
You might find it difficult to find a shop to do it anyway.

BillC3

Have you tried pulling out the nail? At that angle, it's possible that the nail didn't penetrate all the way in.

sf_c63

That's a good point...I'm so tempted to try to pull it out but it would be a pain to tow my car to a tire shop if it started leaking lol. The tire hasn't lost any pressure and it's been sitting for a day. For those wondering why I'm seeking advice here instead of talking to a tire shop....well I just don't trust the tire shops here in San Francisco, all of their experience is tire repair for commuter cars.

Here's another pic:

winders

This is a no brainer...replace the tire!

flatsics

Spray it with some soapy water, if it penetrated the tire it will be leaking air slowly. If no bubbles, I'd pull the nail and respray it with soapy water...no leak you are good to go. just depends how long the nail/screw is.
Is this this your only car? You can always just pull the wheel and take it to the tire/race shop if not.

Cemoto

Ask the person who "techs" for your group if they would approve a rear plugged tire, I'll bet they say no. Besides, think of all the people who will be pissed off if the plug pops and their session ends early so the flatbed can go pick you up.

needmoregarage

^not only plug popping, but the potential for loss of control if the plug fails. And if you happen to be in a tight passing situation when that happens, and there is car-to-car contact… even if no one is hurt - it’s a risk that wouldn’t pass tech for my region.

It could be “no big deal” and MAYBE you get away with it, but the downside could get very big and expensive if your car sustains damage or if your car damages the track.

I hope you’re aware that every driver is responsible for costs to repair the track if they cause damage. It can include speed-dry or kitty litter for fluid cleanup, and or guardrail repair or whatever else might be damaged.

What’s more expensive? New tire or the other possibilities?