Hoosier Radials

[Ed Wright]

I don't know what width wheels you have. I found my 13X31" Hoosiers hooked harder, and felt more stable on wider wheels. Went from 12" to 14" wide wheels, no more wobble at all.
Then, I bought a second set of 14" wheels & bought a pair of MT tires, same size. A-B-A testing during a track rental showed the MTs 5 hun quicker, close to one MPH faster. I use 13 to 15 psi to help corrrect my lights. Both dead hooked, I'm thinking the time differences were maybe sidewall design?
Been so long, I don't remember how much air in the Hoosiers. Have run the Mickeys as low as 12, still no wobble on the 14" wheels. Both brands of tires left better foot prints on 14" wheels.

[nhramnl]

I've experienced radial wobble, and as a result, studied it intensively, looking for a cause. Much as I hate to say it, Ed Bigley is probably the closest to what I've learned. The prevailing theory is that the car does not come down from the wheelstand entirely evenly (i.e. one front wheel touches before the other) and that sets off the rocking motion, which gets worse as you progress down the track. Here are other things that affect, but do not eliminate it: shock settings (tighter shocks on the rear tend to reduce it); track prep (as Ed mentioned), but for me, it had a VERY minor effect; and finally, tires themselves. Hoosiers are "credited" with being the most susceptible to wobble, Mickeys are supposedly better and Phoenix allegedly won't wobble at all. The tire pressure everybody talks about for a relatively big tire is 18-22 psi.

[Ed Wright]

Mine does some kinda big wheel stands at times, and neither that, nor different (or lack of) track prep, ever effected the "Hoosier wobble". Wider wheels stopped it all anyway. Before I had it back-halved at EastTexas Race Cars I ran 9" tires on 10" wheels. Then mini-tubed it to run 10.5" tires. Those liked 12' wheels. I loaned my 13" Hoosiers on 14" wheels to a friend that was having "the wobble", and it stopped his too. He now has wider wheels & no wobble. He still uses Hoosiers.

[nhramnl]

That's great information, Ed (Wright). I experienced absolutely nothing in the way of wobble on my previous Cavalier, but this one is prone to it. I have 14-inch wheels as you suggest, but hate the condition so much that I've given up on Hoosiers and switched to Phoenix radials.

[tommy d]

Thanks for all the info. I'll measure the wheel width tonight so we know what that is. It's a Chevy II so it gets up a little. We also raised the launch rpm by 600 to 3800. All of this including the wobble happened after that. I will pay attention to how the car lands as well. VERY helpful and thanks to all.

[1320racer]

14" wheels and 4200 launch RPM.

and I've been running radial slicks longer than most everyone posting on the net as well I have logged far more runs than anyone on them.

[Ed Wright]

Bet your better looking, with a bigger Willie too. LMAO!