A common question by enthusiasts is, “how long do drag radials last?” The question itself makes sense, as tires are the one thing racers and spirited drivers want to avoid buying frequently. Unfortunately, there are too many variables to give a mileage interval or timeframe before replacement, however, there are ways to increase the lifespan of drag radials.
Every racer wishes they could give their tires immortality, but the truth is these chambers of air take a severe beating by absorbing energy on different surfaces, being exposed to the elements, and even user error when maintaining tire pressures. Through all the torture drag radials face, it is amazing that they can still provide critical functions, such as enable a vehicle to hook off the line at launch and still manage to control and stabilize on the top end of the track.
Start With The Correct Tire
Before you can begin to look into how to prolong the life of your drag radials, you first need to make sure you’re purchasing the correct tire for the job. Although this step seems easy, especially if the term “drag radial” is a generic one in your vocabulary, there are major differences that are associated within specific selections.
“We are constantly asked about which is the right type of tire, even for DOT-legal tires,” says Jason Moulton, Motorsports Director at Mickey Thompson. “In these cases, we typically say the Mickey Thompson ET Street S/S is a tire you can take on the track, but is more geared for the guy still driving his car on the street. The ET Street R can be driven on the street, albeit only in dry conditions, but is more of a race tire that can be driven on the street.”
Although they share a similar name, the Mickey Thompson ET Street S/S and ET Street R cater to different crowds.
While the two different tires’ purposes are easily explained, it’s the compounds and construction technologies that make the tire capable of performing in the different scenarios. The ET Street S/S is set up for consistency at the track, but its steel-belted radial construction and tread pattern allow it to handle street and mildly wet conditions. The ET Street R takes the on-track performance up a notch, as it uses the same compound and construction technology used in the Mickey Thompson ET Street Radial Pro.
Inflate To The Proper Pressure
Aside from choosing the right tire model, another way to keep your drag radials lasting as long as possible is through proper inflation….
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