Age of Slicks

[AnotherS197]

Hey guys,

Kinda new into everything, basically looking to finally start hooking up at the track. Went and picked up some slicks off of craigslist, 2 mt et drags for $150.

Tread wise they look new. Looks like they were definitely at least mounted and probably used for a pass or two. The guy said they came with the roller he bought, and didn't know much about them.


Long story short, the slicks were made 8/04. Kinda kicking myself, but the tread is new. Would it be unsafe to run them and see if I can get any sort of consistency out of them? Or did I just throw some money away? Thanks guys. Also should I be running tubes? They're 26x10x15.

I should add that they show no signs of cracking, and the guy said he was told they were stored in a climate controlled garage.

 

[psfracer]

What is your power level?

 

[AnotherS197]

Should be about 330-340 rwhp if I had to guess. Somewhere in that ballpark.

 

[psfracer]

Go ahead and try them. At this point you have nothing to lose. If there is no cracking and such you will be ok. I don't run tubes.

Separate wheels for these I take it? Without tubes they will lose air over a couple weeks.

I know at my power level I wouldn't run them, so you are correct in being concerned about the age. However at 340rwhp I think you will be ok. The rubber tends to dry out and become too hard for traction, but a 10 inch wide slick should have no problem with 340 rwhp.

 

[AnotherS197]

That was kind of my thoughts on the power level. Plan is to buy some race stars next season as I'll be coming into some money with an engineering co op. Figured they're a good entry level wheel without cheaping out on Jegs or Summit brand.

Of course I saw this deal and thought I couldn't pass it up, being a poor college student haha.

Thanks again, just wanted to make sure I wasn't risking sending my car into a wall by running these.

 

[psfracer]

Thanks again, just wanted to make sure I wasn't risking sending my car into a wall by running these.

Just visually inspect the tires -- if you don't see anything you will be ok.

 

[AnotherS197]

Is there anything I should be looking for in particular? I can't see any cracking along the sidewall or the tread area. That's about all I've really looked for. The inside of the tires themselves look fine as well, not that I'm sure you'd be able to tell anything from the inside.