HEAT CYCLING YOUR TYRES — WHY IT MATTERS & HOW TO DO IT

Heat cycling your track tyres (also known as scrubbing in) before the first track event — helps massively.
WHY HEAT CYCLE?
Heat cycling is a controlled heating & cooling process that stabilises the rubber compound. When a tyre is brought up to temperature, the polymers inside reorganise and bond more effectively. There are machines out there that can precisely put tyres through a controlled heat cycle, but the majority will do the tyres themselves by driving. Once cooled, the tyre becomes:
– More predictable and stable under load
– Able to deliver peak grip from the first laps
– Better at resisting wear and tearing In short — more performance, more consistency, more longevity

HEAT CYCLING ON TRACK
This is best done with two sets of wheels, so that you can let them sit and cool off after. Go out on track and do 3 laps at around 50-70% of your normal pace. Come back into the pits and take your tyre temperatures as soon as you can. You want to aim to get your tyres in the range of 80 – 90’C but no more. If you have not managed to get them within this target range, head back out on track for a few more laps then come back into the pits and measure their temperatures again. Once you have got the tyres within the desired temperature target range, take the wheels off and let them cool for 24 – 48 hours.


HOW TO HEAT CYCLE WITHOUT A RACETRACK
Not everyone has access to track time before race day, but you can still prep your tyres effectively and legally. Similar to bedding in your brakes, here’s a simple method to reach roughly 80% of track temperature:
15-minute medium-intensity drive and then 10 × 60mph → 10mph medium braking cycles
10 × left-hand circles
10 × right-hand circles
Then let the tyres cool for 24–48 hours
All driving always done safely and within legal limits. This also helps remove mould release agents and lightly scrub the surface, hence the term scrubbing in.