What you need to know about performance tyres
Performance tyres for regular road cars were first invented back in the early 1980s when they were designed to be similar to the tyres found in Formula 1 racing. The design was unique and very different to the tyres of the time, with tread blocks that were large and had more grip for the roads. This meant that you could turn corners at higher speeds.
The cost of a high performance tyre
These early performance tyres were expensive – more than $200 a tyre. Back in the 1980s this was an extortionate price when a regular tyre was selling for just $45. Still, they proved popular and performance tyres were soon found on many muscle cars.
The popularity of performance tyres
Manufacturers began to take note and soon many companies were producing performance tyres.
These tyres were better at taking corners and better when steering. They were also safer because they were paired with anti-lock brake technology that was being discovered at the time.
Soon, tyre companies were bringing out different performance tyre styles – those for ultra-high performance, those for cosmetics and those that had great touring performance.
The history of performance tyres
Some consumers would purchase a car during these times without realising they were buying a car with performance tyres. They’d had a shock when they went to replace them though, as they’d be hit with a large bill of $700 or more.
Performance tyres today
These days, many cars have performance tyres and they’ll be around to stay. They are important – not just a design choice but also for good vehicle engineering.
The cost of tyres may even continue to rise, because technology is only getting better and these advancements cost money.
Performance tyres and speed
One of the best ways to improve your car’s speed is not to super charge it or to use a super suspension kit – just put a good set of wheels on the vehicle.
High quality performance tyres will stick to the road and improve your speeds smoothly and more efficiently.
The best performance tyres
If you want a great performance tyre, it’s better to steer clear of the all-season types. These tend to have more traction for freezing temperatures, but if you’re driving in sunny climes in Australia you won’t need them.
Stick to a ‘three season’ tyre instead. All season tyres used to have more grip than others, but this isn’t the case anymore. These days, ‘summer’ tyres can have just as much grip as those for all seasons.
For a high performance tyre, you want a model that is a tall and wide tyre. Why? Because this puts more traction and tyre on the ground, meaning your car receives a bigger grip.
When buying your new performance tyres, ask the manufacturer for the dimensions. The better tyres are normally near the upper limit of what the tyre governing body lets you have.
Test out your tyres
If you’re truly serious about getting proper performance tyres that are some of the best on the market, take them to the track to test them. Avoid getting a speeding ticket for breaking the law and take your vehicle to a place where you can drive it sensibly.
Take note of what tyres other drivers are using – these are normally high performance tyres and some of the best tyres you can find.
Try not to use your regular car on the track too often though – heavy track use can often damage regular performance tyres and could end up costing you a fortune.
We hope this guide helps you choose the best performance tyres that are right for you – good luck! If you think you need a hand in choosing what performance tyres are right for you, don’t hesitate to contact us at Road Runner Mobile Tyres
