Small Tire vs Big Tire?

[Dave Turner]

In the lower SSGT classes, say GT/MA and below, are you at a disadvantage if you chose to run a Stocker style small tire, instead of a big tire, back half converted entry? I’m wondering about success ratio in eliminations as opposed to qualifying performance.

I would like to see theories, not specific examples of rides built one way or the other. More like, “Why would you go one way versus the other from the get go?”

[L.Fite]

Well...
If the car hooks consistently with a small tire, why would you want to tote the extra weight and/or rolling resistance of a larger tire?

[GTX JOHN]

We run a 9.0/30 or 10.5/30 on our SS/LA and
a 10.5/30 on our SS/KA Mopars when we want
to go fast.

[Jason Shepard]

Factory stockers are running high 7's/low 8's on small tires.

[Dave Turner]

Originally Posted by Jason Shepard

Factory stockers are running high 7's/low 8's on small tires.

Yes, no disputing the fact that you can be fast on a small tire, but is it equal to the big tire package in consistency?

[MR DERBY CITY]

Originally Posted by Dave Turner

Yes, no disputing the fact that you can be fast on a small tire, but is it equal to the big tire package in consistency?

Please reread post number 3. That is why seasoned racers keep another pair of slicks hanging on the trailer wall …..

[Jason Shepard]

Originally Posted by Dave Turner

Yes, no disputing the fact that you can be fast on a small tire, but is it equal to the big tire package in consistency?

I personally have not had trouble with small tires once I got my shock settings correct. I adjust launch rpm depending on track conditions. This year i have run 30/10.5 Hoosier and 30/9 Goodyear. I found the Goodyear to be .03 quicker

[L.Fite]

Originally Posted by Dave Turner

Yes, no disputing the fact that you can be fast on a small tire, but is it equal to the big tire package in consistency?

All in the set up...
If you work on the car and get it consistent, it will work.
It mostly depends on what you want to put into in time and testing to make it work...

[onefarmer]

Originally Posted by Jason Shepard

Factory stockers are running high 7's/low 8's on small tires.

but if we had a bigger tire we could easily get more out of them. I had more issues spinning on the top end of the track this year than on the launch. Maybe Pat should make us run 8" tires instead of 9" in lieu of pully adjustments all the time LOL

[sst7250]

Maybe not exactly what you are looking for but we run 29.5x10.5 stiff sidewall M/T's on the NA heads up car. I also run them on my 64 which is 3644 with me in it. The heads up car is 2740 and we have been 1.06 60' with it and it repeats like a bracket car with that tire. My 64 has been 1.20 but usually its 1.3x becuase its tripping it with something other than the front tire.