Everything FARA Drivers Need to Check Before Heading to the Grid

When race day arrives, there’s no room for guesswork. Your tires are one of the most critical components of your setup and often the most overlooked. Whether you’re racing in Pro Spec Miata, GT, or Formula classes, having a solid tire checklist can mean the difference between a clean, competitive run or a race full of avoidable issues.

Before you roll out to the grid, run through this quick tire-focused checklist to make sure you’re dialed in and ready to compete.

1. Inspect All Four Tires for Damage
Look for cuts, cracks, punctures, or cords showing.
Check for flat spots from prior lockups.
Ensure the sidewalls are free from bulges or soft spots.
Tip: Minor damage may be fine for a warmup session, but not worth the risk in a race.

2. Check Cold Tire Pressures
Use your tire manufacturer’s recommended cold pressures (Hankook provides detailed specs by compound).
Check when tires are completely cold, ideally first thing in the morning.
Adjust based on weather, track layout, and session length.
Reminder: Consistent pressure across all four corners improves balance and wear.

3. Torque Your Lug Nuts (Again)
Re-torque your wheels to manufacturer spec.
Do it again even if you already checked, especially if wheels were recently mounted.
Why it matters: Vibration or looseness mid-race can ruin your day and potentially damage your hub.

4. Verify Tire Direction and Mounting
Double-check that all directional tires are mounted correctly.
Make sure left and right sides are properly placed if your tires are staggered.
Mistakes here happen more often than you'd think, especially under pressure.

5. Set Hot Pressure Targets
Know what your hot pressures should be and where you want them to stabilize during the race.
Use tire blankets if allowed, or get your tires up to temp efficiently during the warmup laps.
Pro tip: Record data after each session to dial in pressure adjustments.

6. Clean Off Tire Surfaces
Remove any debris, rocks, or excess rubber.
Check for pickup if you’ve done a cool-down lap in an off-line area.
Clean tire contact ensures predictable grip from the start.

7. Prep for Quick Adjustments
Keep your pressure gauge, air tank, and chalk or tape at the ready.
Have someone in your crew prepared to make last-minute tweaks if needed.
Fast fixes help reduce stress before the flag drops.

8. Pack an Extra Set (If You Have One)
Especially in endurance events, always have a spare set mounted and ready.
Check that they’re balanced, pressure-checked, and easy to access in your pit area.

Final Lap

No matter how powerful your car or how skilled your driving, if your tires aren’t race-ready, you're leaving performance on the table. Use this checklist before every session to stay safe, stay fast, and stay competitive in the FARA USA series.

Looking for track-proven Hankook tires or setup advice? Fara Tires has what you need: delivered, mounted, and ready to race.