[Flieger]

Originally Posted by RaceProEngineer

While Richard is off doing something else, I have not contributed for awhile . . .

Before calling BS too loudly, Richard is having a little fun with you gentlemen. There are two hidden and critical pieces behind the physics.

Alan, you can achieve the same TOTAL AREA footprint with narrower tires AT THE SAME PRESSURES. The problem will be the SHAPE of that footprint (contact patch). The wider tire offers more lateral grip, where the contact patch is wider from side-to-side -- better for cornering, not as good for drag racing!

The other element is this: with a wider tire, one can generally run LOWER pressures, further adding to the area of the contact patch. Physics: The PSI can be slightly lower because the VOLUME of the air inside the tire is greater.
I know I should have let you gentlemen figure this out on your own, but I couldn't resist.

Ed

I don't see how volume of air in the tire matters one bit unless you are looking at temperature.