15 Street Tire Racing Tips

15 Street Tire Racing Tips
By Don Terrill (c)2005

No matter where you live in this country, you're not more than two hours from a race track, and thus there is no excuse for hot-rodding your car on the street. So, I will only be talking about racing your street car at the track.

The biggest problem I see for street tired cars is traction. Here are some tips:

1. More weight in the trunk - More weight on rear tires.
   
2. Less weight on front of car - Allows for more weight transfer.
   
3. Less converter speed or launch rpm - Less shock to the tires.
   
4. Less first gear ratio in trans - Less torque multiplication.
   
5. Less rear gear ratio - Less torque multiplication.
6. More camshaft duration - Kills low end torque.
   
7. Tighter lash - Kills low end torque.
8. Less ignition timing during launch - Kills power.
9. More fuel during launch (Squirters?) - Kills power.
   
10. Wider tires - Better traction.
    
11. Taller tires - Better traction.
    
12. Softer tire compound - Better traction.
    
13. Tire pressure tuning - Better traction.
    
14. Tuned front suspension - Allows controlled weight transfer.
    
15. Tuned rear suspension - Keeps rear tires planted.

Resources:
Interview with Dave Morgan - Author of "Doorslammers"
Interview with Faron Lubbers @ Hoosier Tire
Interview with John Calvert - Inventor of Cal-Tracs