What happens to used slicks' grip after extra heat cycles?

[Ella_L]

So I’ve been running a set of slicks that are a couple heat cycles past what I usually consider their prime, and honestly the drop-off in grip feels less dramatic than everyone says. Has anyone else pushed their used tires further and found the same thing, or did I just get lucky with a fresh track surface?

[VioletT]

That rush you describe I pushed slicks past prime once and the grip held longer when the track was fresh and sticky and that surprised me.

[HannahW]

From a rubber physics view heat history matters more than age alone the surface temp and rubber temp can change the grip curve in ways you dont expect.

[Savannah65]

Sounds like a lucky run or a track anomaly not a rule for all slicks.

[Matthew.J]

Maybe the framing is off what if the question should ask how much grip is available at a given temp and not assume a set drop off pattern?

[Nicholas63]

Think about how the scene reads for others and how slicks in a late run carry a quiet stiffness that changes the mood of the moment.

[Logan45]

I once had a day where used slicks held on and it felt like the track woke up later which makes me wonder if we chase the wrong cause.