The idea behind using a tire warmer is a little more complex than meets the eye. Not so much because the warmer is a confusing piece of equipment, but because the tires they heat are. Obviously, a tire warmer is beneficial to have so the surface rubber of the tire is hot (70-95 C° depending on tire brand and compound) so that the rubber can fill the little crevices of the track better, providing better grip in the early stages of the race. Having the surface rubber hot increases the co-efficient of friction of the rubber, adding to its ability to grip the track surface.