Mithras:
RC, Heat Cycling the tires does a world of difference. You can buy them already heat cycled from a few retailers (obviously for the replacement sets not the first ones that come on the car... They put them on rollers and heat them then let them rest).
Not in Europe. Why? Heat cycling doesn't replace a tire break-in. Heat cycling only has advantages with certain compound tires (slicks or semi-slicks), to make them last longer and slightly stickier. Since we usually do not use slicks or even semi-slicks on normal roads, only exception are cars which come with semi-slicks from the factory, heat cycling doesn't make any sense here.
And yes new tires, road or track are a bit squiggly for a bit. But if you're taking a nice light drive on some twisty roads squiggly tires shouldn't really test your driving abilities anymore than greasy roads after a rain, or light snow or dust etc... You should be able to "feel" and "catch" a tire in those conditions! I wasn't saying push the car (actually I was saying the opposite) but getting the tires up to temp is important.
Have I mentioned possible tire defects or manufacturing errors which can and will appear during the first couple of hundreds of kms?
Going out with sticker tires on the track is harder IMHO. Same with new pads. FTR I blew a right rear tire half way down the corner shown here (the corner Sterling Moss called the hardest in Motorsport) https://youtu.be/Nuv3O98zOQs?t=115 and kept the car.
You are talking track, I am talking normal road driving all the time.
Also, Grant has a new car he needs to get used to, no matter how good of a driver he is. The Nordschleife is not your usual kiddie track, it can be very challenging, especially because of its length and the various different "situations". Many have damaged/destroyed their cars on the Nordschleife and not all of them were bad drivers. Grant is supposed to have fun, not to achieve a new record. Once he gets used to the car and the track, well...it is up to him.
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RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet, Porsche Macan Turbo, Ford Mustang GT500 Shelby SVT (2014), Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT (2014)