Maximizing Traction With TirePressure

Getting the most traction from your drag radials depends to a great extent on the tires' air pressure. One of the main goals of knowledgeable racers is to get the air pressure "dialed in" during test and tune sessions. Here are some parameters to keep in mind for drag radials. Thanks go out to Nitto and BFGoodrich for the pointers.


• Begin testing at 18 PSI for large cars and 20 PSI for small cars.
• Never increase or decrease air pressure more than 2 PSI at a time.
• 12 PSI is the minimum air pressure.
• Don't forget to inflate the tires to the appropriate pressure for street use after you are done racing.


Remember that if you leave the track with under-inflated tires, they won't have the load carrying capacity needed. The tires might possibly overheat and become prime candidates for a blowout, tread separation or other tire failure. Why take this risk? Just remember to check and adjust the air pressure.

Here are some helpful hints from the National Hot Rod Association on dialing in drag slick tire pressure.


• Use as much air as possible for track conditions without making the tire spin.
• If the track has a lot of bite, it is recommended to increase air pressure slightly to reduce chatter or shake which can result from too much tire traction.