[masraum]

The size and shape of a tire helps to determine the shape of the contact patch and the way the tire works as a whole system. We all know that tires are more than just a static square contact patch that exhibits friction. Sports car tires, to maximize cornering want a contact patch that runs mostly side to side. Dragster tires need to accelerate, so their contact patch needs to be longer from front to back. Also, the sidewalls of a dragster tire are designed to be soft, allow the bead of the tire to rotate in relation to the tread surface, and be a part of the whole traction system. It's more than just where the rubber meets the road. Tires and traction are part of a whole system.