# Re: Do race car drivers weave around on the parade lap to heat their tires? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [September 12, 2000, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-do-race-car-drivers-weave-around-on-the-parade-lap-to-heat-their-tires/32911 "2000-09-12T17:54:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Skiffboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Skiffboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skiffboy)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2000, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-do-race-car-drivers-weave-around-on-the-parade-lap-to-heat-their-tires/32911/1 "2000-09-12T17:54:54Z")
Alas, SDSTADD TubaDiva isn’t entirely correct with this answer. It’s true that racing slicks have rough spots, though it always seems to me that they have more _after_ a race than before (picking up rubber from the track, throwing chunks in corners, etc.). Heat is the main reason for drivers to weave. Heat not only increases grip, but it keeps the tire’s air pressure up. The grip difference between hot and cold tires is immense, and low driving speeds allow the tire to cool. If you watch Formula 1, you’ll see drivers weaving during yellow flags. If the purpose were to get rid of rough spots, weaving during the middle of the race would make no sense. However, if the tires get cold during the flagged laps, the cars would have a _tough_ time getting to speed again. I just thought you’d want the opinion of a driver (not F1, though). ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2000, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-do-race-car-drivers-weave-around-on-the-parade-lap-to-heat-their-tires/32911/2 "2000-09-12T19:07:40Z")
Link to the MAILBAG ANSWER is: [Do race car drivers weave etc](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mracelap.html)