Hot and humid weather with temperatures in the high 90s and track temperatures north of 130 degrees have Michelin engineers and technical partner teams looking at a wide range of tire combinations and strategies to maximize performance here at Lime Rock Park.

“This is the first hot weather race of the season, so with new cars, teams and tires, everyone is building their experience base,” said Ken Payne, motorsports technical director for Michelin North America.

Michelin teams typically work from a range of three options. With just one true left-hand corner, many teams run a split set-up with medium or hard tires on the left side and a softer range on the right or right front on the feisty 1.5 mile circuit, the bullring of American sports car tracks.

Teams must start the 2 hour-45 minute race on their qualifying tires. Most teams chose a soft combination for qualifying to gain a good starting position and gain track position for the early stages of the race.

The 3:05 pm race start time (ESPN2) means the opening stages of the race will take place in the heat of the day. Track temperatures are not expected to drop more than a few degrees until the final hour of the race.

“You may see some teams switch to harder tires at the first pit stop to gain consistent performance over a longer span,” said Payne. “The tires are developed from the same construction families, so the spring rates and car set-ups remain the same, making tire compound changes fairly straightforward.”

Payne indicates that double-stints are possible, but track position is important and the timing of any safety car periods may also impact strategies.