Tire tread rating, tire size and all things tire related.

SuperCar Races · **Posted:** Sun Nov 05, 2023 9:26 pm

In 2021 we opened our class to include all Muscle Cars from 1955 to present. In doing this we needed to look at tread ratings and what would be comparable to the polyglas tires that Muscle Cars from 1955 to 1973 used before Radial tires became the norm on Muscle Cars. We've tested tires with various ratings from 100 to 440 and the decision was made that a 200 tread wear tire was comparable to the reproductions polyglas tires used on the 1955 to 1973 Muscle Cars.

The test focused on how the 100 and 200 tread rated tires would perform on the highest horsepower muscle car like the Red Eye, ZL1 and Premium Mustang GT. The 100 tread wear acted like a drag radial with a zero rating. The 200 was similar to the polyglas in all aspects, When new it was close to a new set of polyglas and when seasoned both performed the same.

With two years in the books we wanted to answer any questions our racers may have. Please post your questions in the thread.

Anthony67400 · **Joined:** Wed May 30, 2018 11:15 am **Posts:** 24

I've attached two of the Supercar rules. One clearly describes the tread pattern requirements for the reproduction tires that those of us with 60s and 70s musclecars are required to use. The other states that front and rear tires must be the same. Yes, there is an exception. The front tires on the Hellcats and Redeyes that I've seen, in my opinion, are within the regulation. The Goodyear Supercar F1s clearly violate both regulations. The tread pattern is more like a drag radial than a street tire. They also give an unfair advantage to one make and model. The solution is simple and fair. Require the Hellcats and Redeyes to use the same street tire front and rear. Treadwear cannot be the only criteria.

RalphsRapidTransit · **Posted:** Mon Nov 06, 2023 7:44 pm

Anthony67400 wrote:

One clearly describes the tread pattern requirements for the reproduction tires that those of us with 60s and 70s musclecars are required to use. The other states that front and rear tires must be the same.

I'll break this down so that I'm able to answer most if not all the questions.

Yes our rule at the moment says all four tires must be the same. We can mandate that you must run 200 tread wear tires on all four corners. The issue is, at this time all of the newer SuperCars are driven to the track. With their 200 tread wear tires in the trunk and mounted on the car once they get to the track. To have four tires in the trunk could be an issue. To change four tires once you get to the track so that they all match may be excessive to do. We may need to revise this rule. Not sure what the exact wording would be at the moment. As these newer cars start to age most will then be trailered and at that point we can revise the rule if needed.

RalphsRapidTransit · **Posted:** Mon Nov 06, 2023 7:50 pm

Anthony67400 wrote:

The front tires on the Hellcats and Redeyes that I've seen, in my opinion, are within the regulation. The Goodyear Supercar F1s clearly violate both regulations. The tread pattern is more like a drag radial than a street tire. They also give an unfair advantage to one make and model.

The Goodyear SuperCar F1's are legal to use. They are of the correct compound that we have approved for SuperCars. These tires are similar to the Nitto's, General's and other tires with the 200 tread wear.

These tires came standard on SRT8 Challenger's when new. They are also used on the ZL1, Shelby and other SuperCars.

RalphsRapidTransit · **Posted:** Mon Nov 06, 2023 8:15 pm

Anthony67400 wrote:

The solution is simple and fair. Require the Hellcats and Redeyes to use the same street tire front and rear. Treadwear cannot be the only criteria.

We've tested many tire compounds when we changed our series to include all SuperCars from 1955 to Present. The Redeye and ZL1 are the quickest SuperCars ever produced from Detroit. *We feel as we have always said the tire is the equalizer in Factory Appearing Stock Tire Racing. The 200 tread wear radial tire keeps the racing close between the Vintage SuperCars and new SuperCars. This also gives the SuperCars of the late 70's thru early 2000's a radial tire that would make those SuperCars competitive.

*We at SuperCars do not allow bald tires of any type in our series. As many have witnessed, when you remove the tire from the equation the series suffers, not mention the safety aspect of braking down a tires side wall and grinding a tire to almost the cords is unsafe and not accepted or allowed at any NHRA or IHRA track.

RalphsRapidTransit · **Posted:** Mon Nov 06, 2023 8:17 pm

Anthony67400 wrote:

Treadwear cannot be the only criteria.

I'll dig out data I have to show you how the treadwear we allow is the equalizer between the Polyglas and Radial tire.

Anthony67400 · **Joined:** Wed May 30, 2018 11:15 am **Posts:** 24

No one is suggesting that a pseudo drag radial Goodyear Supercar F1 be mounted on all four corners. That would be absurd! Mount a tire that looks like this all around and you can drive to the track, race all day AND comply with the rules! 200 Treadwear cannot be the only criteria. If classic musclecars must comply with a specific tread pattern, so must modern muscle. It's only fair.

Tire tread rating, tire size and all things tire related.

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