Drag radials, why are they,,,,,,,,,

Harder on driveline parts? I am guessing there is not much sidewall give to cushion the driveline?

Virtually no give compared to a slick due to the radial construction, they act like a street tire in that respect. The shock sent through the drive spikes higher (especially when they slip and grab, wheel hop, or whatever) vs a slick which will absorb some of that in the sidewall. They are also harder to recover once they start spinning (in my experience) vs a slick.

I've broken two axles and a spider gear on drag radials with "stock" power in my Challenger, after going to slicks I haven't broken anything (yet) despite better 60' times.

The answer is simple.......you do NOT spin a drag radial. The tire is dead hooked or it is spinning, there is no in between. They also have a stiff sidewall, but it is not so much about the sidewall as the "hooked" part of it. Slicks "give" because they wrinkle up as well as black track when you hit them with real power. Radials are "hooked" and put ALL that power through the driveline. If there is a weak link, you will find it.

Walk through the pits at a race and look at the FAST radial cars. I am talking about the ones that run low 4s in the 1/8 and 60 foot in the 1.0s. These cars have massive power and are dead hooking the tire. They are built like Pro-Mods for a reason, they HAVE to be. They all have Pro-Mod style rears, with many even having floaters. Twisted and broken 40 spline axles are common, as well as broken chassis', ripped out 4-link brackets and bent housings. Many have now also gone to the Top Fuel type center in the rear wheels. These cars BREAK parts and bend up stuff, if not properly built.

Here is a graph of a 4.16 pass with a 1.06 short time. Notice what you DON'T see in the shaft speed.........tire slippage................ and the Gs are over 2.6 at the hit and climb to well over 3.4. That's HARD on parts

Monte

The only breakage I've had with driveline hard parts was when I was using radials. Broke my 9.25 carrier in half somehow. LOL

Been just fine with regular slicks.

I am amazed that the radial tires hold that well. I am guessing these cars are on the edge of losing traction, most all of the run?
Monte, has there been any improvement or lessons learned concerning the "radial rock" that some radial drag tires are/were plagued with?

It's ALL about power management, but once you get it stuck and moving, the radials will ALWAYS be faster than slicks.

"Radial Rock"...........never heard that and have no idea what you are referring to

I had radial Slicks on from Mickey Thompson 10 years ago.They would start to twist the car from side to side so bad I had to lift on have the runs I made. Superstock racers have had the same trouble running the radial Slicks.

I miss the popcorn eating smiley

Personally, I don't likem. Couldn't get a feel for them and what they were doing. Spent half my time at the track trying to dial them in. Minor temp track changes and you will be forever focking around with tire pressures and suspension changes. They wouldn't let me change my dial at half track, so I got rid of them.

I think you guys are talking about 2 different type of tires. Monte was talking about a drag radial tire, and your talking about a drag radial slick, which have been known to oscillate the car from side to side.

The tires have changes so much in 10 years.