To wrap or not wrap exhaust?

[Dave 53]

My 818 ran great all day at Thunderhill East last weekend.

After I got it all packed up for the drive home, I heard an exhaust leak. It was easy to spot where it burned through the heat shield wrap.

Thunderhill East has long WOT sections and everything gets worked harder on that course than anywhere else I go. Worst gas milage too. Only track I can't get 3 - 20 minutes sessions on a tank of gas.

I'm wondering if the pipe failed because I had it wrapped and between the long sections of WOT and the wrap, it just got too too hot.

I've got the replacement part and I'm ready to install it, but I'm wondering if I should leave it unwrapped to allow it to run a bit cooler. Thoughts?

exhaust crack.jpg