Is there any value to heat cycling or shaving Azenis or other "street" competition tires like they do for the R compound tires, or is this overkill in street tire classes?

 

There is some value to shaving Azenis. I can't quantify for you how much it is. I prefer to wear them in, but I know of one STX competitor who had his shaved. I don't know of anyone who has paid to have them heat cycled.
David

 

Azenis can be run at autocross without heat cycling or shaving.
Save your money. You are doing a little heat cycling when you do your runs and then let the tires cool off.
You can scrub your tires on the road a bit to wear off a little rubber.

When you get Hoosiers you can heat cycle and shave.

 

I was told by TR that there is no need to heat cycle any street (non R) tire. I don't shave my Azenis but I can think of 3-4 advantages to shaving them.

1. It will remove the mold release, which may take 30 or so min. to wear off on the street.

2. It will reduce the diameter of the tire.

3. It will reduce the weight of the tire in the most critical area.

4. It reduces heat buildup and retention in the tire.

I don't consider these to be worth the cost or hassle with the Azenis. With some tires you would also be reducing tread squirm but not the Azenis. Tread squirm and heat buildup are the two biggest reasons to shave tires. I would shave BFG KD's or Kumho MX's and most other tires I was serious about autocrossing.

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2001 & 2002 SCCA, STS, Pro Solo National Champion,

2003 STX, Solo 2 Nationals, Me 8th, codriver 2nd