[BADDASSC6]

Heat cycling tires is similar to heat cycling metal. The actual structure of the compound and chemical balance change. If you overheat tires the rubber will become less tacky and harder. This will result in loss of grip.

Ideally ($$$) you would have multiple sets of tires and rims. You can scrub the tires by running them to operating temperature and then put them away for greater than a week. The result will be a tire that has improved grip and life.

This is why I was running three sets of the factory rims. They were cheap and I could manage my tires to go faster and save money. I got fucked by shitty rims that break.

The tire that I have are all with greater than 50% tread depth, but they have been heat cycled to piss (>20 times).

Some tires are more prone to this then others. Also my lotus and miata friends don't experience the same issue. I suspect that the don't heat up the tires as much as I do.

While I was setting up the car I could really manhandle it and get decent times for 1 or 2 laps then it would start sliding around. there was a lot of feathering on the tread which is a significant sign on a R888 type tire that is almost a full slick.

This is why you can buy used race tires on the cheap.

Professional series don't have to worry because they go through multiple sets of tires per race. Not much of an issue if you are exhausting the tire the first time it's run.

Some tire companies will scrub the tires for you with a machine. I asked if the $15 fee per tire was worthwhile, but I hear the machine just isn't that effective.