How do i get a radial slick to hook on a marginal track ??

[1320racer]

Al, if your shocks are single adjustable, start with the rears set at full stiff and the front at full loose. if the car hooks then spins, start tightening up the front shocks. Your typical burnout should be no longer than 4 seconds, half that when it's HOT out and pay attention to the starting line condition, stage outside of the bald spots if possible.

[GUMP]

Originally Posted by racerAL

Well if I'm only going to get 50-60 passes out of the radials, I'll switch back to a bias ply slick. I have a new set Goodyear 4457's that I tried early this year and they were even more touchy than the Hoosiers. I think I'll try to sell them and get a set of bias ply's. I was hoping to get more input from the racers that use these slicks.... Surely every track you guys race on isn't prepped to perfection. Thanks countrypuppy and Jim Perrone for ur input. Im going to add weight in the trunk and take some timing out of it and hopefully I can get it to not spin. I've wasted 3 points races messing with this issue. I'll have me a set of bias ply's on it as soon as I sell the Goodyears.

Radials are always less forgiving than a bias ply. I have over 100 passes on the 4457's that are on my COPO and they are not close to being done. They do not like a big burnout. What tire pressure did you try? I run 20-22 PSI. I agree that weight should help.

[racerAL]

Originally Posted by GUMP

Radials are always less forgiving than a bias ply. I have over 100 passes on the 4457's that are on my COPO and they are not close to being done. They do not like a big burnout. What tire pressure did you try? I run 20-22 PSI. I agree that weight should help.

I've been at 21psi..but I haven't tried anything different in the heat. I was pretty sure I didn't want to go lower and was afraid to go much higher. I'll try 22psi tonight at test and tune.

[Lenny5160]

I wouldn't run a bias slick if they paid me to.

I run Hoosier 9" radials on a 10" wheel. Burnout is extremely minimal. I do not use a line lock. Low gear just to get them spinning, then shift to high.

Weight in the trunk is definitely good. I think I have a couple hundred pounds back there.

I run 17 psi but, honestly, it is only for even wear with my combo. I've been from 16 - 26 and have never seen a difference in performance. Half the time I don't even check them once I've made a couple passes.

It did take some work initially once I got some decent HP. You'll want to make sure the front end moves freely.

I've never counted passes, but I'm sure I get 150 on the Hoosier C07 tire.

Stick with them and you will be better for it! I love hearing others complain about a tricky track. As long as I don't go up in smoke, I know my 60' time will be within .01 of the previous run.

[George Mirza]

Radials can be touchy on a marginal track for sure. I would drop the tire pressure to 18 and see if it helps. It will give the tire a bit more contact with the track. You may have just simply worn them out if you have been doing a heavy burn out. Not to say your car doesn't have a good suspension, but most stockers have a very well tuned and adjusted set up, with a lot of weight moved around.
My suggestion is to go with a 29.5x9 Mickey Thompson bias tire for bracket racing. They'll be .08 - .10 slower, hook great and if they spin it's only .01-.03. Not to mention they are much cheaper than the radials.

[Dion Hildebrandt]

Originally Posted by Rusty Davenport

Not trying to steal the thread but more than one person told me the M/T radials might get 30 passes at best-----I bought a set------not sure its going to make thirty with ten to go-----anyone else comment on M/T lifespan ????

On my 3500 pound H stocker chevelle I am lucky to get 40 passes on a set of M/T Radials, they hook great just not long lasting.