Drag FAQs
Drag Racing Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are my drag tires street legal?
2. What is the proper burn out procedure for Hoosier drag tires?
3. How many runs can I expect from my Hoosier drag slicks?
4. What is the number written on my bias race tire in yellow chalk?
5. Should I use "tubes" in slicks and DOT drag tires?
6. What size hole do I need in my wheels to accommodate the valve stem of Hoosier tube?
7. I have an indentation in the sidewall of my tire after installing a tube?
8. I use Hoosier (slick) drag tires and have noticed what appear to be "X's" appearing across the contact portion of the tread surface, what is this and should I be concerned?
9. Can I swap tires from side to side (from left to right and right to left)
10. If my tires are "feathering or balling up" across the tread what should I do?
11. What might cause uneven wear on the outside or middle of the tread?
12. What is normal wear for a drag tire?
13. Does it matter which direction I mount my Hoosier racing tires?
14. What are the do's and don'ts when storing Hoosier race tires at the end of the racing season?
2. What is the proper burn out procedure for Hoosier drag tires?
3. How many runs can I expect from my Hoosier drag slicks?
4. What is the number written on my bias race tire in yellow chalk?
5. Should I use "tubes" in slicks and DOT drag tires?
6. What size hole do I need in my wheels to accommodate the valve stem of Hoosier tube?
7. I have an indentation in the sidewall of my tire after installing a tube?
8. I use Hoosier (slick) drag tires and have noticed what appear to be "X's" appearing across the contact portion of the tread surface, what is this and should I be concerned?
9. Can I swap tires from side to side (from left to right and right to left)
10. If my tires are "feathering or balling up" across the tread what should I do?
11. What might cause uneven wear on the outside or middle of the tread?
12. What is normal wear for a drag tire?
13. Does it matter which direction I mount my Hoosier racing tires?
14. What are the do's and don'ts when storing Hoosier race tires at the end of the racing season?
1. Are my drag tires street legal?
ANSWER: No. All Hoosier Racing Tire products are designed for a specific purpose. Consult with Hoosier Racing Tire Corp. for specific fitment and application. Utilizing Hoosier Tires in any form outside of their intended use constitutes misuse of the product and can cause SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. Hoosier Racing Tire products are designed and manufactured for racing purposes only, within a closed course designed for organized competition. Not for recreational use.
2. What is the proper burn out procedure for Hoosier drag tires?
ANSWER: With Hoosier's "high traction" compounds, we have found the following burn out procedure to work for most cars. We recommend rolling through the water box to wet the tires. Start the burn out. Once the tires start to "haze", start to slow the burn out down and proceed to the start line. The goal of the burn out is to clean all debris off the tires and heat just the surface of the tread. Again this procedure will work for most cars, but fine tuning the procedure for your car may be needed.
3. How many runs can I expect from my Hoosier drag slicks?
ANSWER: This will vary from car to car. Inconsistent 60' and 330' times caused by tread wear or carcass break down will be your signals to change the tires. Your tires have wear indicators in the tread to give you an idea of how much rubber is left on the tire. Cars that launch hard can cause the carcass material to break down. You should inspect your tires every 10-20 passes, more frequently in high horsepower cars.
4. What is the number written on my bias race tire in yellow chalk?
ANSWER: As a result of a tire being bias in design (as opposed to radial), it will have a circumference that varies from tire to tire. This is not something that is unique to Hoosier but is common to all bias tire manufacturers. Now, to understand its use, you need to understand a little of the manufacturing process as well. After a tire is cured, it is removed from the press and placed on a machine called a "post-inflator". On this machine each tire has air injected into it for a set period of time. The amount of air is determined by our engineering department and is not the same for every type of tire Hoosier produces. After a set period of time, a tire is then measured and the circumference is recorded. Then, a press operator writes the size on the side of treaded tires and on the tread of slicks in yellow chalk. All Hoosier bias-ply tires with a chalk-mark follow this same process. Now, how should the chalk mark be interpreted? It should be viewed as a reference point or a guide on purchasing tires by size. The chalk mark does not tell you the circumference of the tire at running pressure, it does not tell you how big a tire will grow, it tells you that a tire is either going to be bigger or smaller than another one with a different chalk mark. It's just that simple. Bias ply tires, by nature, are going to vary in size, whether you buy a Hoosier or the competition's tire. By keeping good records, using common sense and understanding how the chalk-mark Hoosier tires provide, you will be step ahead in selecting the proper sized tire(s).
5. Should I use "tubes" in slicks and DOT drag tires?
ANSWER: The decision to run tubes is ultimately up to the racer. Hoosier drag tires are capable of safely running without tubes at the race track. Race tires are inherently susceptible to air leakage due to being built of very light gauge material needed to perform in various racing applications. A decision to use a tube should be based on your application and needs.
6. What size hole do I need in my wheels to accommodate the valve stem of Hoosier tube?
ANSWER: 5/8” diameter hole.
7. I have an indentation in the sidewall of my tire after installing a tube?
ANSWER: Tube has been installed incorrectly. Remove tube and flip over so valve stem lines up with hole in wheel.
8. I use a Hoosier (slick) drag tires and have noticed what appear to be "X's" appearing across the contact portion of the tread surface, what is this and should I be concerned?
ANSWER: This is the "shadowing" effect of the splices within the slick drag tire. All our tires have splices, this is where two ends of the tire cord material is joined together to complete an entire body ply or belt. This area where the two ends are spliced together is obviously stronger along the splices and as a result deflects differently than areas with no splices and the result is this "shadowing" effect. You see this more on drag tires than other tires due to the softer compounds being used and the fact that the tread is a smooth surface.
9. Can I swap tires from side to side (from left to right and right to left)?
ANSWER: Hoosier does suggest, depending on the number of runs, swapping tires on a regular basis. The main reason for swapping tires is to help smooth out or even the tread wear. By swapping tires, it causes the tire to be run backwards, thus causing the tire to wear differently, which cleans up the tire tread. Watch for improper wear patterns on the tread, such as rolling or feathering. The tread surface should have a fine grain or velvet look to the surface.
10. If my tires are "feathering or balling up" across the tread what should I do?
ANSWER: Rotate tires from side to side to help the tread wear. Irregular wear should dissipate after a couple of runs. Make sure you are using the proper compound for your application.
11. What might cause uneven wear on the outside or middle of the tread?
ANSWER: You may have had too much air pressure which caused the tire to crown and wear the center of the tread faster than the rest of the tread surface. Having too little air pressure may cause the reverse to occur (excessive wear to the outside of the tread).
12. What is normal wear for a drag tire?
ANSWER: There is no set degree of "normal" wear. If you feel you are getting to much wear, look to shorten the burnout time in the water box. Too much burnout will shorten the tread life of the tires. The softer the compound the more wear you would see given the same amount of burnout time. Most wear to the tread life of a drag tire comes from too much time in the burnout procedure.
13. Does it matter which direction I mount my Hoosier racing tires?
ANSWER: No, drag tires are non-directional.
14. What are the do's and don'ts when storing Hoosier race tires at the end of the racing season?
ANSWER: Tire storage is key. The useful life of a tire, whether mounted or dismounted, is directly affected by storage conditions. Tires should always be stored indoors in a dark, cool, dry room.
DO
1. Remove the tires from the vehicle.
2. Remove the air from the tires and store them on their side in a cool/dark/dry environment.
3. Place tires in a black plastic bag when stored during the "off-season".
4. Make sure the temperature range in the storage location is between 40-90 degrees Fahrenheit.
DON'T
1. Don't store tires in direct sunlight or near electric motors. (Electric motors emit small amounts of ozone.) Tires need to be protected from light, especially sunlight. Light causes ultraviolet damage by breaking down the rubber compounds. The storeroom should not contain electrical welding or any other equipment that could produce ozone.
2. Don't apply any chemical treatments to Hoosier tires. (It's not necessary and may actually damage the integrity of the tire by breaking down the rubber properties of the tire.) Tires must not be allowed to come in contact with oils, greases, solvents, or other petroleum products that cause rubber to soften or deteriorate.
3. Don't store tires in sub-freezing temperatures for any length of time. (The rubber can freeze and may crack as a result.)
Tyre care Tips – Sports Car DOT Radials R7/A7 here : https://www.hoosiertire.com/images/content/files/TCTR7_A7.pdf
ANSWER: No. All Hoosier Racing Tire products are designed for a specific purpose. Consult with Hoosier Racing Tire Corp. for specific fitment and application. Utilizing Hoosier Tires in any form outside of their intended use constitutes misuse of the product and can cause SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. Hoosier Racing Tire products are designed and manufactured for racing purposes only, within a closed course designed for organized competition. Not for recreational use.
2. What is the proper burn out procedure for Hoosier drag tires?
ANSWER: With Hoosier's "high traction" compounds, we have found the following burn out procedure to work for most cars. We recommend rolling through the water box to wet the tires. Start the burn out. Once the tires start to "haze", start to slow the burn out down and proceed to the start line. The goal of the burn out is to clean all debris off the tires and heat just the surface of the tread. Again this procedure will work for most cars, but fine tuning the procedure for your car may be needed.
3. How many runs can I expect from my Hoosier drag slicks?
ANSWER: This will vary from car to car. Inconsistent 60' and 330' times caused by tread wear or carcass break down will be your signals to change the tires. Your tires have wear indicators in the tread to give you an idea of how much rubber is left on the tire. Cars that launch hard can cause the carcass material to break down. You should inspect your tires every 10-20 passes, more frequently in high horsepower cars.
4. What is the number written on my bias race tire in yellow chalk?
ANSWER: As a result of a tire being bias in design (as opposed to radial), it will have a circumference that varies from tire to tire. This is not something that is unique to Hoosier but is common to all bias tire manufacturers. Now, to understand its use, you need to understand a little of the manufacturing process as well. After a tire is cured, it is removed from the press and placed on a machine called a "post-inflator". On this machine each tire has air injected into it for a set period of time. The amount of air is determined by our engineering department and is not the same for every type of tire Hoosier produces. After a set period of time, a tire is then measured and the circumference is recorded. Then, a press operator writes the size on the side of treaded tires and on the tread of slicks in yellow chalk. All Hoosier bias-ply tires with a chalk-mark follow this same process. Now, how should the chalk mark be interpreted? It should be viewed as a reference point or a guide on purchasing tires by size. The chalk mark does not tell you the circumference of the tire at running pressure, it does not tell you how big a tire will grow, it tells you that a tire is either going to be bigger or smaller than another one with a different chalk mark. It's just that simple. Bias ply tires, by nature, are going to vary in size, whether you buy a Hoosier or the competition's tire. By keeping good records, using common sense and understanding how the chalk-mark Hoosier tires provide, you will be step ahead in selecting the proper sized tire(s).
5. Should I use "tubes" in slicks and DOT drag tires?
ANSWER: The decision to run tubes is ultimately up to the racer. Hoosier drag tires are capable of safely running without tubes at the race track. Race tires are inherently susceptible to air leakage due to being built of very light gauge material needed to perform in various racing applications. A decision to use a tube should be based on your application and needs.
6. What size hole do I need in my wheels to accommodate the valve stem of Hoosier tube?
ANSWER: 5/8” diameter hole.
7. I have an indentation in the sidewall of my tire after installing a tube?
ANSWER: Tube has been installed incorrectly. Remove tube and flip over so valve stem lines up with hole in wheel.
8. I use a Hoosier (slick) drag tires and have noticed what appear to be "X's" appearing across the contact portion of the tread surface, what is this and should I be concerned?
ANSWER: This is the "shadowing" effect of the splices within the slick drag tire. All our tires have splices, this is where two ends of the tire cord material is joined together to complete an entire body ply or belt. This area where the two ends are spliced together is obviously stronger along the splices and as a result deflects differently than areas with no splices and the result is this "shadowing" effect. You see this more on drag tires than other tires due to the softer compounds being used and the fact that the tread is a smooth surface.
9. Can I swap tires from side to side (from left to right and right to left)?
ANSWER: Hoosier does suggest, depending on the number of runs, swapping tires on a regular basis. The main reason for swapping tires is to help smooth out or even the tread wear. By swapping tires, it causes the tire to be run backwards, thus causing the tire to wear differently, which cleans up the tire tread. Watch for improper wear patterns on the tread, such as rolling or feathering. The tread surface should have a fine grain or velvet look to the surface.
10. If my tires are "feathering or balling up" across the tread what should I do?
ANSWER: Rotate tires from side to side to help the tread wear. Irregular wear should dissipate after a couple of runs. Make sure you are using the proper compound for your application.
11. What might cause uneven wear on the outside or middle of the tread?
ANSWER: You may have had too much air pressure which caused the tire to crown and wear the center of the tread faster than the rest of the tread surface. Having too little air pressure may cause the reverse to occur (excessive wear to the outside of the tread).
12. What is normal wear for a drag tire?
ANSWER: There is no set degree of "normal" wear. If you feel you are getting to much wear, look to shorten the burnout time in the water box. Too much burnout will shorten the tread life of the tires. The softer the compound the more wear you would see given the same amount of burnout time. Most wear to the tread life of a drag tire comes from too much time in the burnout procedure.
13. Does it matter which direction I mount my Hoosier racing tires?
ANSWER: No, drag tires are non-directional.
14. What are the do's and don'ts when storing Hoosier race tires at the end of the racing season?
ANSWER: Tire storage is key. The useful life of a tire, whether mounted or dismounted, is directly affected by storage conditions. Tires should always be stored indoors in a dark, cool, dry room.
DO
1. Remove the tires from the vehicle.
2. Remove the air from the tires and store them on their side in a cool/dark/dry environment.
3. Place tires in a black plastic bag when stored during the "off-season".
4. Make sure the temperature range in the storage location is between 40-90 degrees Fahrenheit.
DON'T
1. Don't store tires in direct sunlight or near electric motors. (Electric motors emit small amounts of ozone.) Tires need to be protected from light, especially sunlight. Light causes ultraviolet damage by breaking down the rubber compounds. The storeroom should not contain electrical welding or any other equipment that could produce ozone.
2. Don't apply any chemical treatments to Hoosier tires. (It's not necessary and may actually damage the integrity of the tire by breaking down the rubber properties of the tire.) Tires must not be allowed to come in contact with oils, greases, solvents, or other petroleum products that cause rubber to soften or deteriorate.
3. Don't store tires in sub-freezing temperatures for any length of time. (The rubber can freeze and may crack as a result.)
Tyre care Tips – Sports Car DOT Radials R7/A7 here : https://www.hoosiertire.com/images/content/files/TCTR7_A7.pdf