Quote Originally Posted by rpm boy View Post
yeah i usually just check the tyre with a infrared temp meter (pyrometer) but was wondering of there was a "scale" type device that you could roll onto after a race and measure load/heat pattern of the tire to determine the tire contact.......its way overboard of what i really need but just a curiosity thing really
One thing I look at and its quite valid is how the tire is wearing across the contact patch, this info can tell you if you have poor geometry settings which can cause over heating and wear on the inside or outside edge of the tire. Over inflation will be felt rather quickly on the race track, as the feeling will be like your on ice. I once had my tires filled with nitrogen thinking I could then inflate to the optimum pressure of 38 psi and thinking it wont increase but big mistake, their was still enough moisture in the tire to cause a positive pressure increase. After 2 laps my car started to slide all over the place, I though I had a flat at first so I came in and found my pressure went from 38 to 45psi. (Bridgestone Potenza RE55)