Burn outs at the track?

[dart3404]

If you are running street tires at the track, should you do a burn out or not? I was told that street tires hook up better without doing a burn out.

[Chryco Psycho]

it depends , definatly do not go through the water if possible , the tread can trap water which will leak out under the tire at the launch
most street tires are hard compound so doing a burnout generally helps , But time is more the issue , any tire will get to the point where the rubber becomes more greasy from too much heat in the rubber so getting it warm without overdoing it is the key 

[Ghoste]

I usually go around the water just like Neil says.  Brake on and wing the throttle to about 2500 rpm or so.  I hold it there until the car starts to go sideways and that seems to heat my street tires enough.  A little bit of smoke but no big Brice Road show off event.  That's with street tires, slicks are another matter altogether but I very seldom use slicks on my car. 
This seemed to work good when I ran Goodyear Eagles on the car.  Now I have Radial TA's  and they don't seem to offer the same traction so I may have to experiment and change my routine a little.

[dart3404]

Thanks.   The burn out is half of the fun.

[Chryco Psycho]

 

[Charged]

If a car always hooks, should you even bother doing a burn out?

Charged

[Ghoste]

Nope.   Burnouts are more for slicks or soft compound street tires which need to get hot to get sticky.   As Neil mentioned, it can help with hard compound rubber but you can go too far.   If your car always hooks as is, then you should be good to go.

[Chryco Psycho]

I have a set of slicks I bought back in 86 that were 1/2 worn out , I figured they would do for a year or so until i could afford new slicks , after 10 seasons the slicks are still 1/2 worn & could last another 10 years , I had used them on the Duster , was pulling wheelstands & had perfect traction doing no more than just cleaning off the tires in the water   

[Ghoste]

Amazing isn't it?   I have a buddy with a couple of pairs of old hard as rock nearly worn out slicks and he still uses them.   He has to get them hot though.   There are also guys I know who get a new set every year no matter what condition they're in.   I wish I had their money.
What kind of slicks are those Neil?

[Charged]

Roger that 10-4

[Chryco Psycho]

M&H

[Ghoste]

The old hard pair my buddy has are Hoosiers and Mickey Thompsons.  I wonder if they are using a similar rubber compound to each other?