Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Slicks (referring to racing tires on cars)

I didn't have racing slicks on my 1968 Camaro either because I drove all over the place and you really didn't want to have slicks on your car in the rain because you could slide off the road. However, I had really wide tires for going fast around corners and better handling on my 1968 new Camaro then simply because I liked going around corners as fast as I could often then. in 1968 this was the first car I owned with Bucket seats outside of a VW Bug which was a 1965 I owned before I bought the 1968 Camaro when I started working as a computer operator and computer programmer around age 19 or 20 after studying at Glendale College. You could make quite a lot of money then in computers simply because most people didn't know anything about them at all. I suppose in some ways it's still that way except for home computers and ipads and smartphones now. And most people only learn a minimum to get buy on these things now and aren't pouring over tech sheets to stay current like we did then. 

 begin quotes:

Tire Truths: Differences Between Street and Race Rubber | IMSA
Racing slicks are specialized, smooth tires with no tread pattern designed exclusively for dry racing, maximizing contact with the track surface for superior traction, acceleration, and cornering. Made from soft, sticky rubber compounds that require heat to function effectively, they are used in motorsports like Formula 1, drag racing, and circuit racing to maximize speed. 
Key Features & Characteristics:
  • Zero Tread: The absence of grooves means 100% of the tire surface is in contact with the pavement, providing maximum grip on dry surfaces.
  • Soft Compound: Slicks are made from soft compounds that get "sticky" when heated, allowing them to cling to the track.
  • Drag Specifics: In drag racing, specialized slicks are used, with sidewalls that "twist" to absorb shock during high-torque launches and provide better traction.
  • Temperature Sensitivity: They operate in a narrow temperature window and require "heating up" to reach peak performance. 

Limitations:
  • Not for Road Use: Slicks are unsafe for public roads because they cannot channel water, making them highly prone to hydroplaning.
  • Rapid Wear: The soft compounds required for grip mean they wear out quickly.
  • No Wet Performance: They are completely useless in the rain. 

Slicks were popularized in the 1950s by M&H Tires for drag racing. 
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