The difference between the normal car tires and racing car tires

gitit store
3 min readNov 6, 2022

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Tires are beasts of burden designed to withstand harsh conditions. Whether it is the racing car tires with their short life span or enduring city car tires, they are designed with performance in mind. This blog will compare road tires with racing tires.

It is no secret that race cars are unlike regular cars, with significant differences in their tires. We understand how distinctive these tires are, with their lack of tread patterns and smooth, flat surfaces. Most tires for race cars are slick, but some models have detailed treads for wet conditions. We’ll go into greater detail below to show why they weren’t designed with the average driver in mind.

HOW ARE RACING CAR TIRES DIFFERENT FROM NORMAL CAR TIRES

1. Longevity

Depending on usage, geography, and driving conditions, a typical car tire should last approximately 16,000 kilometers before needing to be replaced. That roughly corresponds to one race. Racing car tires, on the other hand, are designed to be lighter, with a projected lifespan of no more than 120 kilometers. Because racing tires are designed for speed and performance rather than durability, the elastic deteriorates quickly. For similar reasons, F-1 race cars typically change their tires during the pitstop break.

2. Force

Racing tires for cars are made to be more durable, lighter, and able to withstand more force than standard car tires. This means they can deal with additional loads, air resistance, and up to a ton of downforce. Regular car tires are not designed to withstand that kind of pressure because it is unnecessary on highways or city streets. Road tires can be stronger than racing tires, which are continuously subjected to high downforce, air resistance, and rolling resistance.

3. Temperature

Racing tires are designed to withstand the heat generated by driving at high speeds. These tires are built to withstand extreme temperatures while also preventing tire pressure variations. Tires for racing may experience temperature extremes due to constant throttle over their short life span.

4. Construction

Race car tires are made of a polymer compound that has a second layer of particulate carbon that adds strength and grip. Regular car tires are made of steel or Kevlar-plated radial material that is rigid and elastic.

5. Pattern and tire tread

A typical street tire has 10 to 13mm of tread depth. Its tread pattern includes a variety of squares and notches to aid in wet and dry traction. Slick tires, also known as racing tires, lack tread. This increases the surface area in contact with the road, influencing how quickly they wear and how much traction they can provide on the track.

6. Utility for Dry and Wet Climates

While a standard tire can generally function in both dry and wet conditions, racing car tires are designed separately to handle wet or dry conditions more easily in one case or the other. Each driver in any given race must have a specific number of tires with distinct wet and dry sets.

7. Nitrogen vs. Air

Most car tires are inflated before they hit the road. However, racing cars use nitrogen gas to fill their tires. This non-toxic, colorless gas is used to reduce tire temperature and extend the life of racing tires. It may maintain tire pressure and reduce pressure loss during races while not affecting the rim or tire materials.

Conclusion

It is needless to say that racing tires are clearly not the same as regular car tires. Both types of tires differ significantly in appearance, as well as internal specifications and materials used in their manufacturing.

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