FYI: Building a race car starts with tires as the foundation, essential for optimal performance in motorsport applications.
# The Crucial Component in Motorsport Car Builds: Tires
One of the fundamental considerations when constructing a race car for any motorsport application is the selection of tires. Tires are arguably the most critical part of your build because they’re the only component that makes contact with the ground, influencing traction and overall performance.
In the latest season of Donuts Hi-Lo, the team undertakes the challenge of building a Mustang GT from scratch, gearing it up for drag racing. Below is an in-depth look at their process and key takeaways.
## Tire Traction: The Linchpin of Drag Racing
The standard Mustang GT is known for its substantial power yet is not naturally a traction-limited car. However, in drag racing, optimizing traction is paramount. Wrinkle-wall drag slicks are often the go-to for achieving this.
But, slicks are only beneficial under specific conditions. For instance, if your tires are not spinning sufficiently or you’re dealing with traction control issues, slicks might not provide the expected advantage. Essentially, without proper traction management, even the best tires may not deliver the desired results.
## Hi-Lo Series: An Explorative Build Comparison
For those new to the Hi-Lo series, it features two teams who buy identical cars. One team outfits its vehicle with high-end parts, while the other uses more budget-friendly alternatives. In this season, the high-end team equipped their Mustang with 15-inch wheels, necessitating smaller brakes to fit the setup. Conversely, the budget team used 17-inch wheels paired with affordable, street-legal drag radials.
## Weather Conditions’ Impact on Testing
Traditional drag racers typically adjust performance metrics for weather to deliver accurate, competitive results. In this case, the initial tests using stock all-season tires were conducted during a cooler morning, leading to an 8.441-second eighth-mile run—consistent with the Mustang GT’s standard 12.1-second quarter-mile results.
However, subsequent tests on drag radials during the scorching Southern California midday, with temperatures reaching triple digits, recorded only an 8.431-second run. Although traction improved, it wasn’t a dramatic difference compared to the optimal conditions earlier in the day.
## High-Stakes Investment vs. Minimal Gains
The final test involved Hoosier slicks, with nearly $10,000 invested in wheels, tires, brakes, and spindles. The best recorded time was an 8.38-second eighth-mile run. While the traction was enhanced, resulting in a slight performance improvement, the gains weren’t substantial due to the less favorable high-temperature conditions.
## Future Performance Enhancements
Expectations are high for future series episodes where the Mustang GTs will likely undergo engine upgrades, power increases, and potentially the integration of nitrous. At those enhanced performance levels, slicks will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in maximizing traction and time reductions.
### Conclusion
While the current tests show modest improvements in speed due to better traction from various tire configurations, the real gains will become apparent as more power is added to the builds. The Hi-Lo series provides an insightful comparison of how budget vs. premium components affect car performance under varied conditions.
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_Donald Smith, Editor of Automotive.fyi_
