Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose the correct tire shore?

Generally speaking here's a temp guide that might help with "Qualifiers" & "Mains" running “Track Star” radial slicks and “Road Star” all weather radial tires in on-road racing enviroments.

Keep in mind, short run times generate less heat and longer run times generate higher tire temps. If any given shore rating works great in a 5 minute "Qualifier", it may generate more heat in a long "Main" event.

Heat management is often "the name of the game", this is the reason for the different shore ratings in temp ranges listed below.

Ipanema Sintec Tire Shore Selection.

Road Racing:

All temps are in Fahrenheit:
Up to 70 degrees - 35 to 40 shore
70 to 80 degrees - 40 to 45 shore
80 to 90 degrees - 45 to 50 shore
90 to 100 degrees - 50 to 55 shore
Over 100 degrees - 60 to 65 shore (Excellent for “Drift Cars” in cooler temps too!)

A race track’s “lay-out” design should be considered when selecting tire shore as well. Tires tend to cool down in “straight” sections; while tight or very technical sections on a track tend to generate heat build-up.

If a track is “wide-open” in design, with lots of “wide-open” running sections, the tires will take longer to reach proper operating temps; so lower shore ratings may provide peak performance on these types of tracks.

Please note:

Our “Road Star” tires have a treaded contact patch design. This tire is designed to work well in wet and dirty track conditions. Many "Street" or "Parking Lot" racers do well with with our "Road Star" tires because they grip very well on less than perfect surfaces.

The "Road Star" tread pattern also provides more cooling of the rubber tire material, much like the cooling fins on an engine; so on large & open track designs, a slightly softer shore rating should be selected in order to reach optimum operating temps.

Drag Racing:

GT cars in "Drag" racing enviroments should always try to use the softest shore ratings available for straight-line "launching" and "Hole-shot" racing traction.

While some racers seem to find a way to be "fast" with incorrect tire selection; the correct shore Ipanema tire will always make it a lot easier to set the "TQ" pace and finish on "The Podium".

Good luck at the races!