Quote:
Originally Posted by unclebilly
Well I know that on every race car (and kart) I have owned / driven, keeping all else equal, a 10cm wider tire has allowed us more speed through a corner and faster lap times. As mentioned, a bigger tire allows you to push harder before it steps out or ‘goes off’.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GH85Carrera
Find me a race team anywhere driving on dry pavement that wants to go to a skinnier tire to increase speed. Good luck.
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I think what some are missing is the "why" that wider tire performs better. It's not just the sole function of increasing the width dimension.
As Island mentioned above, a wider tire spreads the weight/force/pressure load more so the contact patch is wider, but also shorter, so no real increase in surface area. And besides, any increase in area is equally offset by a reduction in pressure (err something like that). So, the only real determining factor of "grip" is the friction coefficient of the materials involved.
So, all else being equal, a wider tire doesn't generate as much heat (and/or generates more cooling). Therefore a wider tire allows a softer compound to be used for a given "optimal" temp range.
Softer compound = higher coefficient of friction (i.e. more "grip").
At least that's how I understand it...