Quote:
Originally Posted by taz
So do you have to run tire warmers for the a13's?
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Are tire warmers necessary? I'll answer by asking another question: Is racing motorcycles necessary? The answer to both is: No.
However, I think there are good reasons to use them if you want to win.
Here's one of the main reasons why I use tire warmers: When I race I expect to be competing for the win. If I give a second or two to my competition at the beginning of a race because I'm waiting for my tires to come up to temperature, well I'm essentially ok with giving a handicap to the riders I'm competing with. In the classes I run in, the races are only 8 to 10 laps long. Why would I want to handicap myself for as much as a quarter of the race? If I can go into the first turn of the first lap at my own race pace I do not give up an advantage to others. Most passing is done in the first lap of the race, so again, why give up such an opportunity?
BTW, the last race I won, the time difference between first and third place was four tenths of a second.
Aside from that, going into a race in the best emotional and mental state possible is also vital. The confidence that using tire warmers can impart is a big factor in attaining a good mental state. Don't believe me? Just use tire warmers for half a day, then intentionally don't use the front warmer for a session or two. I promise you you'll be thinking about it for at least a few laps.