M/T bubba radials for dragsters at PRI
Anyone know anything?

quote:

Originally posted by Bucky:
M/T bubba radials for dragsters at PRI
Anyone know anything?

Nothing but dumbass FB comments about the tire at PRI. The keyboard warriors have them all figured out already.

2BKING

Specs will be out in January and tires in the spring according to Michael B.

I’m intrigued. Been in love with radials on the door car for 30 years.

^^^ I’ll bet they won’t leak!

They have my interest. Our track is marginal on a good day, I bet they are easier to stick....but gonna be pricey I'd bet.

quote:

Originally posted by Alaskaracer:
They have my interest. Our track is marginal on a good day, I bet they are easier to stick....but gonna be pricey I'd bet.

I saw someone posted a projected price of $799 ea. I can't vouch for how reliable that info is though, since I saw it on Facebook.

I wonder how many passes one would expect compared to bias ply’s.
It seems like the door car guys have to hit radials harder at the line to hook.
Until we see comparison testing it’s a moot point I guess.

quote:

Originally posted by Bucky:
I wonder how many passes one would expect compared to bias ply’s.
It seems like the door car guys have to hit radials harder at the line to hook.
Until we see comparison testing it’s a moot point I guess.

I’d expect the more robust construction to keep the sidewalls viable much longer than a bias tire.

I talked to them about the Big Bubba Radial there. It is not in full production yet so they do not have any firm numbers. Same compound as the Big Bubba tire but radial construction. From their testing probably needs about 1/2 Lbs more air than standard Big Bubba. They will start production in March or April? Probably looking at about 10% more money than the Big Bubba but once again that was just a guess at what the guy thought it may be. The current Summit price is $560 so add 10% and it would be maybe $620?
Also from their testing reaction times have picked up and more consistent.
Durability is supposed to be very good as the sidewalls are a little stiffer which may also account for better reaction times.

For the guys running 4.20-4.50 dragsters probably well worth looking into closer when they are available.

For what it is worth that is the information I got. I can see some potential advantages to this tire if it works like they say.

Just a note according to the rep, they are closer to the baby bubba tire in size, and they do not grow as much as a bias ply tire.


Joe

While I don't race a dragster, I'm following out of curiosity. I'm sure there's going to be teething pains with running them IMO.

2BKING

quote:

Originally posted by B KING:
While I don't race a dragster, I'm following out of curiosity. I'm sure there's going to be teething pains with running them IMO.

Drag Champ says they went up about 1/2 psi on air pressure from the regular Big Bubba and made no other changes to their 4.70 dragster. Smooth as could be and about .02 quicker.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CfWWXkaHY/

quote:

Originally posted by Lenny5160:

quote:

Originally posted by B KING:
While I don't race a dragster, I'm following out of curiosity. I'm sure there's going to be teething pains with running them IMO.

Drag Champ says they went up about 1/2 psi on air pressure from the regular Big Bubba and made no other changes to their 4.70 dragster. Smooth as could be and about .02 quicker.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CfWWXkaHY/

Maybe what they have learned from the door car side is helping the teething pains. There are still people having problems when switching to radials in door cars, but it has lessened.

Once the tire is available to the masses, only time will tell if there's teething pains.

IMO, I think many teething pains/problems when going to a radial on any vehicle. Comes down to the racer/tuner taking the time to make to make them work. I was lucky when switching over 10+ years ago, they worked. I have refined the set-up since.

2BKING

Radial drag racing tires use a radial carcass (plies run across) with steel belts for a flat, stable footprint, unlike bias-ply tires, offering better high-speed stability, less heat, and longer life, featuring soft, sticky compounds for massive straight-line traction with thick sidewalls for support, often street-legal (DOT-approved) with shallow grooves for track performance, allowing higher inflation pressures for lower rolling resistance and faster times.
Key Construction Features
Radial Carcass: The main body plies (like polyester or nylon) run radially (90 degrees to the direction of travel) across the tire, allowing the sidewall to flex independently from the tread.
Steel Belts: Reinforce the tread area, providing stability and durability.
Stiff Sidewalls: Thicker, stronger sidewalls provide stability and structure at high speeds and launch forces, preventing excessive rolling, unlike traditional street tires.
Soft Rubber Compounds: Engineered with specialized, soft compounds (like R2 or similar) for maximum grip on the track surface, sometimes with impressive recoverability when traction is lost.
Shallow Tread: Features minimal tread depth (or a slick surface for full slicks) to maximize rubber contact with the track.
Performance Advantages
Superior Traction: The flat, stable contact patch distributes pressure evenly for explosive launches.
High-Speed Stability: Stiff sidewalls and radial design resist distortion at high speeds.
Durability & Consistency: More durable and consistent performance over many passes compared to bias-ply tires.
Street Legal Options: DOT-approved versions allow driving to and from the track, though they wear faster.
Tire Pressure & Setup
Higher Inflation: Run as much air pressure as possible (often 17+ PSI, adjustable) to reduce rolling resistance and improve reaction time without sacrificing grip, contrasting with street tires that use lower pressures.
No Tubes (Usually): Most modern radial drag tires are tubeless.

The guy at the booth told me July or August before hitting the market, he was guessing 109" rollout no growth obviously being a radial. I'm hoping for 107-108 rollout and will try on my door car.

quote:

Originally posted by inferno camaro:
The guy at the booth told me July or August before hitting the market, he was guessing 109" rollout no growth obviously being a radial. I'm hoping for 107-108 rollout and will try on my door car.

Were you at PRI to? Pretty good show but sure was crowded this year.

quote:

Originally posted by inferno camaro:
The guy at the booth told me July or August before hitting the market, he was guessing 109" rollout no growth obviously being a radial. I'm hoping for 107-108 rollout and will try on my door car.

The issue becomes, are your tubs big enough? Old and some current PS cars can’t run them without raising the rear 2”. 105 to 109 is right at a 3.8% change. Your 1.80 becomes a 1.73 or really close plus rear gear… I’m sure Stan has a formula or chart. If I’m correct the 4.29 becomes a 4.12 rear gear.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BP758,

quote:

Originally posted by Curly1:

quote:

Originally posted by inferno camaro:
The guy at the booth told me July or August before hitting the market, he was guessing 109" rollout no growth obviously being a radial. I'm hoping for 107-108 rollout and will try on my door car.

Were you at PRI to? Pretty good show but sure was crowded this year.

Yes I was. 1st time being back since they started charging to get in. Was definitely busy but still not as bad as it used to be I don't think.

I ran some bias tires that were 105.5 rollout and cleared but was very close. I'm not sure how much the bias grows at 140mph, but the radial won't grow so that would help. I ran some 102" bias tires and switched to a 102" radial and gained 250 rpm in the 1/8 mile so definitely grow at speed.
I actually switched to a 1.65 low gear a couple years ago. I put my 4.57 center section in with the 32" radial so I could put the 1.80 and 4.86 back in if the tire fits.

quote:

Originally posted by BP758:

quote:

Originally posted by inferno camaro:
The guy at the booth told me July or August before hitting the market, he was guessing 109" rollout no growth obviously being a radial. I'm hoping for 107-108 rollout and will try on my door car.

The issue becomes, are your tubs big enough? Old and some current PS cars can’t run them without raising the rear 2”. 105 to 109 is right at a 3.8% change. Your 1.80 becomes a 1.73 or really close plus rear gear… I’m sure Stan has a formula or chart. If I’m correct the 4.29 becomes a 4.12 rear gear.