Just thought I'd share this with you all.

My Federals, whilst performing admirably on track days where I've used them, have developed a slightly concerning cracking straight across the tyre face, on all 4 tyres, as pics below.

These tyres still have 4+ mm of rubber left on them, and I hate to throw away rubber. I'm following this up both with Camskill and directly with Federal (who quote their tyres are warranted against cracking for 4 years).

So, just for info right now, and if anyone else has experienced anything similar (with this brand or others). I'm also using Toyo 888's, Yoko A048's and Pirelli P-Zero competition dry tyres, and have never seen this happen before.

Have they cracked or are they peeling?

Cracked

Are you sure you haven't driven across a bit of debris (I know it's probably a stupid question).

I had 'normal' 595s on mine for a while and thought they were terrible in the wet - e.g. 3rd gear wheelspin coming off roundabouts

That's considerably worse than mine Dan! Could be a bad set. I'll have another look at mine tonight following this.

Mine are hair line cracks and have less than 3mm of rubber left!

These are now being collected by Federal to be inspected by them, and if faulty I'll be given a refund.

Will definitely update on their findings, will have a full written imspection report from Federal.

So Mart, double check yours

And Tim, these simply don't compare with the super steel 595's, which I agree are god damned awful! I was originally drawn to these by the Evo forums 2 years ago, as a budget alternative to 888's etc, and for about half the cost, they have performed admirably in both wet and dry conditions on track.

If mine are indeed a faulty batch I wouldn't want to put anyone off buying these, as I say they perform admirably!

How have you stored them when not in use ? Are they as soft a rubber as 888s ? Toyo warn people not to store store in minus temps and deflate 50% when in store.
Hence my 888s being in my bedroom

Is that what those spare tyres were

Had similar uneven markings on the kumho tyres I used at Mallory park a few years back when you and mattm came along.
Sent them back and was told it was down to extreme heat and mounting sharp objects maybe kerbs.
Went for a harder compound and not had an issue since.

I have just brought a set of four for my 17s......
I am sure I have heard of delaminating problems on the net, I am just in denial and don't want to search!

I'm sure 888's were splitting across the mould line too.
There's only the Dunlop semislicks that I heard failing.rb5's was it?

http://openpitlane.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=14754

Look at this thread dan. He doesnt mention the horizontal cracking you can clearly see in the pics. As john says its the soft compound i imagine.

Hi Dan
I have exactly the same on both fronts, let me know how you get on eith a refund i wouldnt mind jumping on the band wagon