3 Common Mistakes Made During Racing Tire Installation

Racing as a sport or for entertainment purposes is all about how well your car can perform. Nothing gives you a strong foundation for a good performance on the racetrack like a good set of racing tires. While most racers have the tools and equipment needed to install racing tires on their own, not everyone has the skills and experience to know how it is done properly. Here is a quick look at some of the most common mistakes you should avoid when you are installing racing tires on your vehicle:

Mistake: Installing the tires in the wrong direction. 

Why? Most racing tires are made with seamed-together runs of rubber material that run in a certain way. If you install these tires in the wrong direction, which is possible because the way the tires are made, it will cause excess stress on the seams of the tire and they will wear out more quickly. If you get unmarked racing tires and are not sure which direction they should go on the rim, make sure you consult a professional tire installer for advice just to be safe. 

Mistake: Using tires that have not been properly stored. 

Why? Racing tires are a completely different breed than regular car tires. These tires do not need to be exposed to excess heat, cold temperatures, or even pressure from a vehicle sitting still for long periods of time. Before putting a set of racing tires on your vehicle, make sure they have been properly stored. Otherwise, you could end up with tires that are off balance and warped so badly that they affect your driving abilities on the track. Likewise, when your car goes into storage at the end of a season, do what you have to to protect the tires so they will be ready when racing season starts again. 

Mistake: Not making sure the rear tires have the right air pressure. 

Why? With racing tires, it is best that the rear tires have a little higher air pressure than those in the front. If you don't have enough air pressure in your back tires, the tire will dig into the ground when you take off at a high rotation speed. Front tires should be slightly more gripping than the rear, which means a slightly higher air pressure in the rear tires will give you the best all-around traction ratio for takeoff. 

Contact a company like Frisby Performance Tire for more information and assistance.