What's your guy's opinion, experience or views on bracket racing a small tire. I consider a small tire a 29.5 x 10.5 or smaller & bias ply or radial.

I was going to do a poll but don't really care for them. Anyway, what do think is the best range of ET dial-in & is for local bracket races & big bucks brackets, if you feel there's a difference. This is based off purely the tire size with good suspension/engine tuning & average to good driver.

This is my take on both the big bucks/local brackets from watching different races across the country. It appears the 6.20 - 6.40 range is popular ET.

Do you feel going quicker/faster than that range would be beneficial?

Plus, does leaving off the top or bottom bulb play a factor?

2BKING

I'll offer an opinion. ET means absolutely nothing, especially since "TruStart" came along. 4.20 or 8.20. Makes no difference.

I do favor bias ply, myself. Just for me, a 29" tall tire qualifies as large. This is exactly the joy and the point of bracket racing. You pays your money, you makes your choice. Again, just my opinion. Take care. Tom Worthington

Because the 6.20-6.40 range is popular is the reason I would try to stay 5.80ish. I don't worry about redlights but it puts many more ahead of you in the race.

Sorry I wasn't a little clearer on the OP. I didn't want to make the post about the tires I run bracket racing: 29.5 x 10.5 (measure 10" wide & 30" diameter) & 30 X 9 (actual 29.5" diameter). Yes, according to Tom both large tires.

Our car when it was NA & running 6.30 to 6.40 was a consistent/competitive performer.

Since going to the ProCharger I'm finding some consistency in the 5.90-6.0 range & might slow the car back to that range. The last race(s) at Tucson AZ. a higher elevation track. The car was dialed at low 5.70s & predictions was for high 5.60s. The car wasn't very consistent in the 60's & actually pretty horrible.

Anyway, it got me thinking or re-evaluating were I'm going with the quicker ETs with these size tires. Plus, I realized there's not too many people running 5 second ETs on these size tires while bracket racing. I think the majority run 6.0 or slower.

While I did get into the money 3 times at the event. I never had the confidence I had the car to win with!

Next weekend we have a T & T/(2) points races. I have some more suspension tuning to do & see what happens with the 60's. Then I'll make a decision on whether or not to slow it down.

2BKING

Odd question, IMO. If the car is good at one ET but not good at another, it seems like a no-brainer what to do.

I think there are some free rounds to be had for a car at the far faster end of the class, where some opponents won't try to drive you and either take way too much stripe and break out, or pad the dial to give you more margin. But in the long term the best strategy would to have the best car you can, for both obvious and mental edge reasons.

you can indeed run fast on small tires, and consistently. The trick is making the chassis and suspension work so that it is consistent. What "I" found (and everyone's program is different) is that by using smaller tires, yes I was able to fit the car into different classes (did some heads up stuff as well), but in bracket classes, having the smaller tires introduced another variable. That variable is track conditions. All it would take was just a little bit of oil, water, a crack in the surface that leached a little water, etc-and it was game over for us small-tire guys. I was 5.90 on 28x10.5 if it matters. Going back to 32x14 improved round-to-round "consistency" by reducing that one variable.

quote:

Originally posted by M802138:
you can indeed run fast on small tires, and consistently. The trick is making the chassis and suspension work so that it is consistent. What "I" found (and everyone's program is different) is that by using smaller tires, yes I was able to fit the car into different classes (did some heads up stuff as well), but in bracket classes, having the smaller tires introduced another variable. That variable is track conditions. All it would take was just a little bit of oil, water, a crack in the surface that leached a little water, etc-and it was game over for us small-tire guys. I was 5.90 on 28x10.5 if it matters. Going back to 32x14 improved round-to-round "consistency" by reducing that one variable.

This right here is why most of us backhalfed our door cars and went with bigger tires. Sometimes a smaller tire is faster but becomes harder to hook consistently especially when you get a cold track or 150* track temps. Or a track that is not just perfect. Big tire gives you more room for error. I backhalved my Camaro when it was running 7.30's because I knew I would be going faster soon.

Which is better on a small tire Radial or Bias Ply? I do not know both are marginal and puts you at the mercy of the track conditions and weather.

One other thing in my opinion even when you do get the small tire to work they are not very forgiving on air pressure and the tires do not get nearly as many passes out of them.

Here's some recent past information that started this mess. We added 1.5* of timing to the base timing table for last year's Thanksgiving race(s). It turned the car into a wheelie exhibition show. We even tried to put the car on its back, not intentionally. We seriously neutered the front suspension with very little travel, full tight on the shock extension & added a launch retard. That got us wheel spin & no wheelies. During this whole mess we did manage to get in the money 3 times with semi-finals being our best for these races.

Then our next race(s) was Tucson, AZ. mentioned in above post. While having horrible 60's & me being sick, we did well; in the money 3 times. We were making suspension changes every run. The car turned back into a wheelie show, because we turned off the launch retard, started slowly loosening the front shocks & adding travel. The 60's were anywhere from 1.28 - 1.41 partially due to rear tires & my sloppy staging; blaming me being sick. Below the back tires were even with 60'.



Moving on to this past weekend. We're starting to get the 60's better (1.30 - 1.34) than Tuscon & the wheelies calmed down. Video below was the last run in the finals on Sun. We were making changes almost every pass. We almost have the front-end back to full travel while tightening the front shocks rebound at the same time. End results, in the money twice with one of them being a win.

While the 60's are a shyt show, we are consistently going rounds & in the money.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be_vbcT8I1s

2BKING

IMO and I am not bracket racer according to some who use to be here.The only reason to run a small tire in brackets would be if not enough power to get it loose on any track. I can see running smaller tire that much power and tracion needs. JMO

That said I do thin a lot run more tire than needed. If your 1200 hp dragster has same size tire as T/F with 11000 hp.You might have inch too much tire.

Years ago there was a 10" unlimited class I think at Indy heads up. This was a dragster deal. Ohio wire mafia fella participated in it as I recall.
I think that would be a blast and would give modestly fast dragsters a chance heads up against BB/Blower dragsters.
Of course the BB/Blower guys aren't as enthusiastic about it.

I run and MT 3062 29.5x105 SS on my 64. It works just fine for me. I ran S/C at the last Divisional and it repeated 60' every ass with no issue. Generally the same bracket racing. Its a heavy car(3600 and change) but I've gone 8.80's, 60's suck because they are not with the front tire.

We run the same tire on the Vette and last race our 60's were within .02 all weekend in 12 passes. From Thursday night street night to raceday. From 1.08-1.10. On raceday we were within.005 all day and won that event. 1.084-1.089

How my car typically leaves, now that we found the issues. This was at the divisional last fall

Al,

I like seeing the pics of your cars & the ones you're associated with & hearing about them. You seem to have it all worked out for bracket racing. I more than welcome you to come out to our local bracket races/T&T's & give me some pointers/tips on my set-up. I don't have wheelie bars & don't have plans for one, even though many have suggested them.

I've pulled nice big wheelies with vehicles with bars. Now, for the 1st time I've done it without bars. I personally don't like the big wheelies without bars. Be it right or wrong, I'm trying to set the front tires down consistently around 40'. Then have full front suspension travel to keep the front-end nose high the rest of the run. Right now, the car is setting the fronts down at the 60' & I have another 1/2" travel to go on the front.

I'm all ears, but the car isn't going to see a back half/bigger tires. I have always done above average with small tires. I'm doing well with the current set-up, but there's always room for improvement.

2BKING

I have (2) T & T's coming up with (3) local points races this month. I'm making headway on the 60' variance, but still have work to do. I really need to get this worked out by my self-imposed deadline the end of Feb.

The new Hoosier radials with the C30 compound are supposed to ship Feb. 14th, I'm not holding my breath. Maybe they will help, maybe not. I'm also considering going back to a bias ply slick for testing with this combination.

I had mentioned in an earlier post about having some consistency in the 5.90-6.0 second range. While I'm not overly happy with what's going on with the 60's in the 5.60-5.70 range. The end result(s) seems to be I'm consistently getting in the money & winning with both ET ranges.

As a last resort, I'll kill a little power with the launch retard.

2BKING is just sharing a little small tire info, be it right or wrong.

quote:

Originally posted by B KING:
The new Hoosier radials with the C30 compound are supposed to ship Feb. 14th, I'm not holding my breath. Maybe they will help, maybe not. I'm also considering going back to a bias ply slick for testing with this combination.

2BKING

The new Hoosiers shipped today & are supposed to be here tomorrow. I'm excited to test this new compound, hope they work! Hopefully get some passes on them next weekend.



2BKING likes new slicks on the car.

BKing ,
have you tried the MT PBR ?
I have only ever run radials on my Plymouth . Started with 275s . MT ETSS , Hoosier 275s and 28x10.5 PBR's . Always worked good though slow car 11.00's. When I went tbrake I had to use a 29.5(30"tall) x 10.5 PBR . Since then I have gone back to footbrake , prefered tyre is the 29.5 PBR though I have also run Hoosier 30x10.5 radial and the Goodyear 30x9 radial . The Hoosier and GY are both quicker than the PBR . BUT PBR has better life .
All my racing is bracket or national event so not radial prep .
And yes mine is now a 6.50s/6.60s - 10.25/10.40s car @ 3780lbs . Not like you real fast guys

Tex

Tex,

I'm on my 2nd set of the 29.5x10.5 PBR's, they're my favorite radial now. The Hoosiers are a close 2nd & are slightly quicker in ET. Pretty sure it's due to the big weight difference. We run on a non-radial prep tracks. Our Home track is Las Vegas, NV in cold & hot conditions.

2BKING

Not that I know what I am doing but Ill be at next weeks TNT and might stay and race as well. First time out for the truck so not sure we shall see how it goes.

Al,

I'm sure we'll both be busy, but if there's anything I can do to help you out; ask. The way I look at it, you might as well stay & race. As you know track time with the new truck will be a good thing.

2BKING

quote:

Originally posted by B KING:
Al,

I'm sure we'll both be busy, but if there's anything I can do to help you out; ask. The way I look at it, you might as well stay & race. As you know track time with the new truck will be a good thing.

2BKING

Well maybe a little. I need 1/4 mile passes to work on the stop program honestly. Next weekend will likely be the one time Ill be running without it for awhuile. Wish I could run it that way at the bracket races but they no longer run S/Pro at bracket races. So I gotta figure out what to do. Used to enjoy taking the Cuda to the bracket races to run on the stop. Those guys didnt seem to enjoy running a car dialed 11.05 that went mid 150's