Rajan Wilcox
Slick tyres, also known as racing slicks, are tyres with a smooth tread that are used in auto racing. They are used in drag racing, where they are known as drag slicks, and are also used in road racing, where acceleration, steering, and braking require maximum traction from each wheel. Slick tyres are typically used on only the driven (powered) wheels in drag racing, where the only concern is maximum traction to put power to the ground. They are not used in rallying and are outlawed on most roads due to their inability to handle wet pavement. Slick tyres can provide far more traction than grooved tyres on dry roads but have far less traction on wet roads. Drag racing slicks vary in size, from those used on motorcycles to very wide ones used on top fuel dragsters.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Height | 36 inches tall |
| Width | 17.5 inches wide |
| Weight | 48 pounds |
| Cost | $917 per tire |
| Lifespan | 8 runs or 1.5 miles |
| Pressure | 6.0 to 10.0 psi |
| Tread | Smooth |
| Use | Rear tires |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Top Fuel dragsters use slicks that are 17.5 inches wide
Top Fuel dragsters are incredible machines, with every element engineered to act in a precise way to achieve maximum performance. An important component of these dragsters is the tyres, or slicks, which play a critical role in putting power to the ground and enabling the dragster to achieve high speeds.
The use of slicks in Top Fuel drag racing is a result of the sport's unique demands. Unlike traditional tyres, slicks lack any grooves in the tread, which are typically designed to remove water and maintain traction in wet conditions. However, the absence of grooves in slicks provides the greatest traction on dry roads, which is essential for drag racing.
The width of the slicks on Top Fuel dragsters is a notable feature, contributing to their impressive performance. At 17.5 inches, they are wider than the slicks used on other types of dragsters, such as Nostalgia Funny Cars or Nostalgia Super Stock cars. The wide slicks on Top Fuel dragsters help to manage the incredible power and torque produced by these vehicles, ensuring maximum traction and control during high-speed runs.
In addition to their width, the lifespan of Top Fuel dragster slicks is also noteworthy. Each slick is expected to last for approximately eight runs or slightly more than 1.5 miles. The intense force and friction experienced by these tyres during drag races contribute to their limited lifespan, with some tyres even developing flat spots at their trailing edges after repeated runs.
Car Fuel Type: Quick Check Using Registration Number
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Slicks are a type of tyre with a smooth tread used mostly in auto racing
Slicks are typically used on only the driven (powered) wheels in drag racing, where the only concern is maximum traction to put power to the ground. They are not used in rallying or on common road vehicles, which must be able to operate in all weather conditions.
Slicks can provide far more traction than grooved tyres on dry roads. However, they typically have far less traction than grooved tyres under wet conditions. Wet roads severely diminish the traction of slick tyres due to aquaplaning caused by water trapped between the tyre contact area and the road surface. This makes treaded alternatives a safer choice in variable weather conditions.
Slicks are also used on the rear tyres of Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars. These tyres are huge and are able to withstand the massive torque of these vehicles. They are 36 inches tall, 17.5 inches wide, and weigh 48 pounds apiece. Each one is expected to last eight runs, or a bit more than 1.5 miles.
Fuel Efficiency: Are Green Cars Financially Viable?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Slicks are used in drag racing to maximise traction
Slicks are a type of tyre used in auto racing that have a smooth tread with no grooves. They were first developed in the 1950s for use in drag racing.
However, slicks are not suitable for use on common road vehicles as they cannot handle wet pavement. They are also not road legal. Drag radials, on the other hand, are typically street-legal and provide better stability at high speeds. They have shallow tread depths that increase traction on the road surface of a drag strip.
Drag racing slicks vary in size, from those used on motorcycles to very wide ones used on "top fuel" dragsters. For "closed wheel" cars, the car body often needs to be modified to accommodate the size of the slick, by raising the body on the rear springs or replacing the rear wheel housings with very wide "tubs". "Open-wheel" dragsters do not have these constraints and can use enormous tyre sizes. Some use very low pressures to maximise the tread contact area, resulting in a typical sidewall appearance that leads to their being called "wrinkle wall" slicks.
G-Force Secrets of Top Fuel Cars
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Slicks are not suitable for wet roads due to aquaplaning
Slick tyres are designed for racing and are not suitable for use on common road vehicles, which must be able to operate in all weather conditions. They are used in auto racing where competitors can choose different tyres based on the weather conditions and can often change tyres during a race.
Slick tyres are not suitable for wet roads due to aquaplaning. Wet roads severely diminish the traction because of aquaplaning, which is caused by water trapped between the tyre contact area and the road surface. Slick tyres have a smooth tread, which means that there is no tread pattern, so the tyre tread does not deform much under load. This means that, unlike grooved tyres, they are unable to remove water from the contact area.
Grooved tyres are designed to remove water from the contact area through the grooves, thereby maintaining traction even in wet conditions. Slick tyres can provide far more traction than grooved tyres on dry roads, but typically have far less traction than grooved tyres under wet conditions.
In the 1960s, "cheater slicks" became popular in the hot rod world. These were typical slick-type tyres, but engraved with the absolute minimum amount of tread grooves required to satisfy legal requirements. Tyre development has progressed since then, and today's hot rod street cars typically use wide, grooved tyres which perform better than the slicks of the past.
It is important to be cautious when driving on slick roads in wet weather. Using a lower gear gives you greater control, and it is important to brake slowly to allow your vehicle to compensate for the water on the road and avoid spinning out.
Best Fuel Choices for Turbocharged Cars
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Slicks are also used in road racing
Slicks are not suitable for use on common road vehicles, which must be able to operate in all weather conditions. They are illegal on most roads due to their inability to handle wet pavement. This is because water trapped between the tyre contact area and the road surface severely diminishes traction. However, some forms of auto racing allow competitors to choose different tyres based on weather conditions and even change tyres during a race.
In the 1960s, "cheater slicks" became popular in the hot rod world. These were typical slick-type tyres engraved with the minimum amount of tread grooves to satisfy legal requirements. Today, hot rod street cars typically use wide, grooved tyres, which perform better than the slicks of the past. Modern-day slicks have developed particular performance qualities in a specific window of temperatures, becoming sticky when accumulating enough heat and thus giving much greater adhesion to the road surface.
Slicks designed for drag racing are constructed in a way that allows the sidewall to be twisted by the torque applied at launch, softening the initial start and reducing the chances of breaking traction. As speed builds, the centrifugal force generated by the tyre's rotation "unwraps" the sidewall, returning the energy to the car's acceleration. This also causes the tyres to expand radially, increasing their diameter and effectively creating a taller gear ratio, allowing a higher top speed with the same transmission gearing.
Fuel Cell Technology: Powering Cars of the Future
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Top-fuel dragster slicks are 17.5 inches wide.
Slicks are used to maximize traction and put power on the ground. They have a smooth tread with no grooves, which provides the largest possible contact patch with the road.
A single slick tire for a top-fuel car costs \$917.
A slick tire for a top-fuel car is expected to last for 1.5 miles or eight runs.
