Tire Warmers

Tire warmers are electrically heated blankets that wrap around racing tires to heat them up to the right temperature before a car or motorcycle goes on the track.

Think of tire warmers like electric blankets for tires. Racing tires work best when they're hot - usually around 176-185°F (80-85°C). When tires are cold, they don't grip the road well, which makes the car harder to control and slower around corners.

Without tire warmers, drivers would need to spend several laps driving carefully to warm up their tires naturally through friction with the track. This wastes valuable track time and can be dangerous since cold tires are slippery and unpredictable.

The warmers plug into electrical outlets and take about an hour to fully heat the tires. They look like padded covers that wrap around each tire, with heating elements inside that warm the rubber evenly. Many have temperature controls to prevent overheating.

Tire warmers also help racing teams set the correct tire pressure. As tires heat up, the air inside expands and pressure increases. By warming tires beforehand, teams can set the exact "hot" pressure they want before the car hits the track.

You'll see tire warmers used in Formula 1, MotoGP, sports car racing, and many other professional motorsports. They're also popular with serious track day enthusiasts who use racing tires on their street cars.

The main benefits include immediate grip when leaving the pits, better tire life by preventing damage from cold use, and more consistent performance throughout a racing session. However, they require electrical power and add complexity to race preparation.