Sonic Setup Guide
The Tempesta Sonic is a slick-level performance tire that generates very high grip and is sensitive to setup. Correct break-in, tire pressure, temperature, and alignment are essential for optimum performance and durability.
Tire scrubbing (break-in) for track-day and circuit competition use
Drive a 15–20 minute gentle session on the track with load gradually increasing every lap, but not reaching more than 90% of the intended pace for the tire use on track. At the end of the session, drive an additional cool-down lap. Any wheelspin, wheel locking, sliding, or other aggressive driving during the scrubbing session should be avoided!
After the tire scrubbing session, the tire set should be left alone to cure for no less than 24 hours — meaning for an upcoming track day or competition, scrubbing should be done at least two days prior to the event. This is a crucial step for a successful scrubbing procedure.
Operating Temperature
Target operating window temperature: 60–95°C (approx. 140–203°F)
Measure temperature inside / centre / outside immediately after a session.
Camber
Optimize camber according to vehicle, suspension, and driving style.
General starting range:
Front: 2.5–4.0°
Rear: 2.0–3.0°
Temperature difference inside–outside (inside should be even or slightly hotter than outside):
- ≤10°C (~18°F): Optimal
- 10–20°C (~18–36°F): Adjust setup before next track session
- >20°C (~36°F): Excessive — stop driving on the track. A difference of 20°C or more causes accelerated tire degradation and a highly increased risk of localized tread damage.
Tire pressure range
Do not operate below 2.1 bar (~30.5 psi) HOT or COLD. If the vehicle is parked during a track session, check pressures before driving back on track and inflate back to the minimum required pressure if needed.
Recommended starting targets:
| Vehicle weight | Hot pressure |
|---|---|
| <1250 kg (~2755 lb) | 2.1–2.4 bar (~30.5–34.8 psi) |
| 1300–1600 kg (~2866–3527 lb) | 2.2–2.5 bar (~31.9–36.3 psi) |
| >1700 kg (~3748 lb) | 2.3–2.7 bar (~33.4–39.2 psi) |
Final pressure should be determined from hot pressure, tread temperatures, and vehicle balance.
Important
Monitor temperature and pressure during track use to maintain consistent performance and maximize tire life. Failure to follow these directions can lead to increased degradation of tire performance or lead to tire damage.
For a specific setup guide, contact us directly via the Contact page.