run a set of tires on a road course if one of them has a plug in it? Probably sounds like a stupid question, but I know some guys will use older street tires as track tires to save a few bucks and wasn't sure what kind of condition they had to be in.

Anyways, I have a set of tires that have maybe 5k miles on them but I've got a screw in one. Gotta start planning now (and keeping my eyes open for deals) if I need new tires and can't run the ones I have on track. I would guess I can't, but I'd like input from those who are more experienced.

 

I personally wouldn't.

But I know several that have - just def not at 10/10th's level. I say if you have to do it on a street tire that still has a lot of tread left, be sure to back it off a little.

 

I've done it before, but wouldn't recommend it. If you are just learning and running on street tires, I think that you'll be fine. Once you start pushing really hard, you need to dedicate more resources to the hobby and make sure not to run plugged tires. Once you've moved up to r-comps and race pads, I would not do that with them.

 

Yeah I'm just learning. I've only done one event and the car is completely stock power and suspension wise.

 

It's all about possible costs: sure the plug might hold, but is it worth a wrecked car if it doesnt? I'd rather run on a newer tire with a slightly different diameter than a plugged tire. too much chance of really bad **** happening if it does blow mid corner. Id bet the plug manufacturer did not design for its use to be under extreme cornering load at 80mph.

 

Plug alone? no. Plug and patch on the inside? yes, done it. Would I recommend it to you? no.

 

+1

 

If the puncture was small and the construction of your tire isn't poor then plugs seem to hold up just fine in all but the most brutal punishment. I would favor running the tire in the rear like I did to minimize risk, the chances of it blowing out completely are small but like others have said, you have to weight the risk yourself. Likely it would just start losing air slowly if it popped out unless you had a gaping hole. I had to run one from July until October and it held up just fine, the tar plug seems to be jammed in there quite permanently and if it's not right on the sidewall where it would constantly flex it should be trouble free.

 

plugs only belong on the tread part so if its else where pass
a patch would be ideal
done events with just a plug and been ok

my recommendation is that if the tire is still meaty then go ahead since i don't think u will be pushing it that hard.

 

It's actually a screw right in the tread pattern in one of the grooves. The tire has still been holding air just fine so I haven't even gotten around to getting the screw pulled out and having it fixed yet

thanks for the input

 

By bad luck, I average one plug and patch per set of tires I buy. I've autocrossed monthly on plugged and patched tires with no issues, for years.