After doing an aurocross on very rough blacktop I note that my tires have very rounded edges on the grooves; some 1/16th" of material worn off or more. This will reduce the bite of the tire and reduce contact patch to some degree.

I'm using these tires on my daily driver. Will they flatten out with use and be competitive again? SHould I get them shaved?

 

Get some dedicated race tires. Full tread tire will chunk out if not shaved. Shaved tires are not that great in the rain.

 

When you flex the tread blocks and wear off the back side of them, you're simply flattening out the tire. You're actually gaining MORE contact as you wear the tire out.
It's not a matter of being competitive either way, a street tire is going to be less sticky than an R Compound. If you're running in a Street tire class, then you need the stickiest street tire, regardless of how it wears.

If you're going to continue to run your everyday tire, I would suggest a competitive, meant for competition, tire. Falken Azenis, BFG T/A KD, Kumho MX, Falken 451, etc.
Running other tires is fine for one or two events, but you'll ruin them and be uncompetitive by not running the stickiest.

As was said, if you enjoy the sport, get an extra set of wheels/tires. It will also prevent the unecessary heat cycles of the tires (which also decreases grip).

Brian

 

Totally agree. As soon as I sell my Cobra replica I'll buy dedicated tires and rims. In the meanwhile I'm learning the ropes so will soldier on with street tires.

 

My sunfire made quick work of the stock BFG GS-A's it came with on the autox course. Now I've upgraded my daily driving rims and use the stock ones for my R-compounds.....those are really fun in stock class