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Auto Racing/What should I run for tire pressure in my front wheel drive dirt track car.

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Expert: - 6/6/2010


Question

94 Grand Am
I have a 94 Pontiac Grand Am dirt track car. I am running 14 inch tires all the way around and tubed. Front left has 22 psi, rear left and rear right have 20-40 psi depending how the track is and the front right has 25 psi. It has about 6 races on it and the last 2 weeks Ive blown the right front tube and rolled the tire off the bead. The front tires are Power Star Kumho tires with tubes. What tire pressure should I run or how can I keep the tire from blowing/rolling off the bead? The track is a 1/2 mile semi banked dirt/clay. Thanks in advance.

Answer
Look for a product called "Bead Lock" you may find it in catalogues that cater to winged sprint racers, or World of Outlaw people. I'm not sure where I heard of it. If you can't find it or it doesn't help, you may have to buy some "real" racing wheels from one of the stock car racing suppliers.  I'm being specific here because the local parts houses are not likely to have anything, or even understand your problem.

You determine the proper air pressure with tire temperatures. Take a temperatures with a tire pyrometer from 1" inside the outer edge, then the center, and 1" in from the inside edge.
If the center is cooler than the rest , there's not enough air pressure, in the center is warmer, then you have too much.  

This is a GREAT simplification of the tire temp subject. you need a book called
"How To Make Your Car Handle" by Fred Puhn - - -it's a bit dated, but easy to understand and will help you immensely as you read through it.  Any book store can order it, some keep a copy or two. Read through it, try some stuff, then read it again. - - -I'm still reading it after 30 years.

Good Luck
Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Florida  
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThanks. I'll let you know how things work out.


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Dan Liddy

Expertise

Anything concerning race cars, 20 years competition experience, Senior Competition Driver Instructor , car builder, mechanic, welding, fabrication, tuning , engine modifications, set up, suspension design. Specializing in Datsun/Nissan products. Please submit questions about RACE CARS ONLY. No street cars, no video game scenarios Thank you.

Experience

I have been racing for 20 years, I have been the Central Florida SCCA Regional Championship points for 5 years running, and won the championship in my class 2 times. During my first start in the 60's I won many solo awards and the State Championship Drags. I serve as a senior instructor for SCCA, and have taught in Mercedes AMG events at Daytona, and Dodge Viper Days at Sebring International. I have been in the thick of the competition for all of my career. At one time or another I have driven race cars at speeds nearing 195 MPH. It's quite a ride !

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