Author Topic: Front Tires  (Read 22242 times)

Offline GlennLever

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2010
    • View Profile
    • The Lever Family Site
  • Your Best Time: 1/4 mile 7.950 at 165 MPH
  • Your Engine: Pontiac 461 Alky Blown
  • Your Track: Empire Dragway, NY
  • Your Vehicle: Front Engine Dragster
Re: Front Tires
« Reply #15 on: June 18, 2015, 03:07:34 PM »
The Gentleman that stopped at my pit yesterday did not pass tech because there was a max 30 MPH speed on the side of his tire. The reason I passed is there wasn't one.
« Last Edit: June 20, 2015, 06:35:38 AM by GlennLever »
Glenn R. Lever
Rochester, New York 14617-2012
My Cars https://www.lever-family-racing.com/

Offline JakeB23

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 9
    • View Profile
  • Your Track: Dragstrip
  • Your Vehicle: FED
Re: Front Tires
« Reply #16 on: June 20, 2015, 08:02:36 PM »
Congrats Glenn for getting into the final!

Nice looking car and great driving!

Offline GlennLever

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2010
    • View Profile
    • The Lever Family Site
  • Your Best Time: 1/4 mile 7.950 at 165 MPH
  • Your Engine: Pontiac 461 Alky Blown
  • Your Track: Empire Dragway, NY
  • Your Vehicle: Front Engine Dragster
Re: Front Tires
« Reply #17 on: June 20, 2015, 10:03:04 PM »
Congrats Glenn for getting into the final!

Nice looking car and great driving!

Thanks, I gave it away.

I was running a 10.0 car at night saw his light and left (2 seconds early)
Glenn R. Lever
Rochester, New York 14617-2012
My Cars https://www.lever-family-racing.com/

Offline GlennLever

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2010
    • View Profile
    • The Lever Family Site
  • Your Best Time: 1/4 mile 7.950 at 165 MPH
  • Your Engine: Pontiac 461 Alky Blown
  • Your Track: Empire Dragway, NY
  • Your Vehicle: Front Engine Dragster
Re: Front Tires
« Reply #18 on: July 10, 2015, 12:16:41 PM »
I wrote to NHRA,

"Sir,

At Bowling Green, at tech inspection they were looking at front tires on dragsters that had tread. They were particularly looking for "MoPed" tires and tries with "max MPH limitations". My front tires were gone over with a fine tooth coom and neither of those marks were on them. The inspectors were looking for "For Racing" on the side of the tire, but my tires did not have that. They passed it anyway because there was no "MoPed" or "max MPH limitations".

A gentleman on my forum supplied this input. "Just looked up the rules concerning front tires within the Heritage series, Falls under general regs 5.1 & 5.2 as applies to any NE Class and Jr Fuel and that reg does not mandate racing front tires. Now 7.0pro states manufactured racing tires but does not specify front tires also as does the spec for Fuel and Funny mandating front tires designed for racing."

In the NHRA Rule book under Nostalgia Dragster "Class of competition within Nostalgia Dragster is for front-engine,
methanol-burning dragsters." I find

TIRES & WHEELS: 5
TIRES
Maximum width 12 inches as measured across tread surface or
indicated by manufacturer on the sidewall. See General
Regulations 5:1.
WHEELS
Lightweight automotive-type wire wheels permitted on front axle
only, provided total car weight does not exceed 1,800 pounds,
excluding driver. Maximum rear wheel width 12 inches. See
General Regulations 5:2.

In General Regulations 5:1 and 5:2 I find

TIRES & WHEELS: 5
5:1 TIRES
Tires will be visually checked for condition, pressure, etc. and must
be considered free of defects by the technical inspector prior to any
run. All street tires must have a minimum of 1/16-inch tread depth.
Temporary spares, space saver spares, farm implement or trailer
tires prohibited. Metal, screw-in valve stems mandatory in tubeless
tires, front and rear, on vehicles running 11.99 or quicker.
5:2 WHEELS
Hubcaps must be removed for inspectors, who will check for loose
lugs, cracked wheels, worn or oversize lug holes, and condition of
spindles, axle nuts, cotter pins, etc. Snap-on hubcaps are prohibited
on any class car. The use of “spinner” style wheels or any wheel
design that incorporates movable pieces while vehicle is in motion
or stationary are prohibited. Each car in competition must be
equipped with automotive-type wheels with a minimum 12 inches of
diameter unless Class Requirements stipulate otherwise.
Motorcycle wheels or lightweight automotive wire wheels must be
equipped with .100-inch minimum diameter steel spokes, properly
cross-laced to provide maximum strength. All spoke holes in rim and
hub must be laced. Omissions to lighten wheels prohibited. The
thread engagement on all wheel studs to the lug nut, or
Diameter of stud At least diameter of stud Washer Lug nut
5:2 Section 20 - General Regulations 20.27
lug bolts to wheel hubs, must be equivalent to or greater than the
diameter of the stud/bolt. Length of the stud/bolt does not determine
permissibility. (Example: A 7/16-inch stud must be thoroughly
engaged through the threads in the hex portion of the lug a
minimum of 7/16-inch.)
Wheel spacer permitted. Spacer to be either hub-centric or lug-centric
and must fit with minimal clearance to retain concentricity. The wheel
spacer must not reduce the minimum permitted thread engagement
below the limits established by fastener diameter. (See example as
stated above.) No stacking of wheel spacers allowed.Maximum rim
width on any car: 16 inches. No rear wheel discs or covers permitted
in any category. Top Fuel and Funny Car rear wheels must meet SFI
Spec 15.3. Pro Stock, Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car,
and Pro Modified (Comp) must meet a minimum of SFI Spec 15.1.
."

on 7/4/2015

and never heard back.

Not willing to take a chance on travel and then not being able to race.

Baby has new shoes and shoe laces (stainless steel cotter pins)





I was more concerned about tread depth than type of tire as there is a stipulation on tread depth in the rules.



« Last Edit: July 10, 2015, 05:16:08 PM by GlennLever »
Glenn R. Lever
Rochester, New York 14617-2012
My Cars https://www.lever-family-racing.com/

Offline dusterdave173

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 638
    • View Profile
  • Your Best Time: 5.38in 1/8th
  • Your Engine: 355 CI SBC
  • Your Track: Mooresville, NC
  • Your Vehicle: CenPen 200 inch FED
Re: Front Tires
« Reply #19 on: July 10, 2015, 05:47:08 PM »
S&W Racecars in Pa sells the Kendas for $30 some $$ a piece--I see the same tire sold elsewhere upwards of $70--they do not have any Moped markings or MPH limits and are on lots of cars. I have heard from several folks that real Race Goodyears etc are NOT a safe deal on wire wheels that most of us run due to ???? Something about the way the bead and wheel lip is not compatable??
I love my Kendas and I love that I got them for fair price--they look great also!
Those tires shown Looked like moped tires and would have drawn a look from any tech guy I would think
THANKS for askingthe tech guys to clear it all up so we can all be safe and pass tech
I had my first encounter with NHRA tech when I got my chasssis serted--NEW guy--I think I knew more than he did --he got hammered by the 15 guys that showed hoping for new stickers --they shreaded him alive as they were certing old cars that had been racing every wk end since that guy was born--it was a POOR showing by NHRA and...we were told we would slpit his travel expenses between the number of cars --well that would have been minimal per car but they "cut it off" at 6 or so cars so we All HAD TO PAY A BIG CHUNK --  not fair or a good show--we can't race and give NHRA money without the sticker yet they gouged us on that too. I may just keep on running my local stuff and avoid the NHRA--My first impression was not a good one so guessing the tire deal was BS too.
I have always had a fascination with fast cars at the expense of more normal character development

dreracecar

  • Guest
Re: Front Tires
« Reply #20 on: July 10, 2015, 06:11:45 PM »
Goodyear will not mount tires on wire rims because---
1) designed to be tubeless and if they pinch a tube and ruin it they dont want to be responcble
2) dont have a machine capable of holding the rim without scarfing it
3) some rim widths are too narrow for the for the tube stem to sit properly
4) Most new rims have a SFI rating and the rim lip meets a certian spec so they are liability covered

 Mounted a new set of GY on my wire rims, got the job done on my trucks tailgate using tire spoons but it was a pain. Went thru 2 tubes and I was careful and had to use stem extentions because could not get the stem patch to seat due to the increased tire bead size. A normal 10 minute job (for both) took over a half hour and filled up the swear jar

Offline GlennLever

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2010
    • View Profile
    • The Lever Family Site
  • Your Best Time: 1/4 mile 7.950 at 165 MPH
  • Your Engine: Pontiac 461 Alky Blown
  • Your Track: Empire Dragway, NY
  • Your Vehicle: Front Engine Dragster
Re: Front Tires
« Reply #21 on: July 10, 2015, 06:53:45 PM »
S&W Racecars in Pa sells the Kendas for $30 some $$ a piece--I see the same tire sold elsewhere upwards of $70--they do not have any Moped markings or MPH limits and are on lots of cars. I have heard from several folks that real Race Goodyears etc are NOT a safe deal on wire wheels that most of us run due to ???? Something about the way the bead and wheel lip is not compatable??
I love my Kendas and I love that I got them for fair price--they look great also!
Those tires shown Looked like moped tires and would have drawn a look from any tech guy I would think
THANKS for askingthe tech guys to clear it all up so we can all be safe and pass tech
I had my first encounter with NHRA tech when I got my chasssis serted--NEW guy--I think I knew more than he did --he got hammered by the 15 guys that showed hoping for new stickers --they shreaded him alive as they were certing old cars that had been racing every wk end since that guy was born--it was a POOR showing by NHRA and...we were told we would slpit his travel expenses between the number of cars --well that would have been minimal per car but they "cut it off" at 6 or so cars so we All HAD TO PAY A BIG CHUNK --  not fair or a good show--we can't race and give NHRA money without the sticker yet they gouged us on that too. I may just keep on running my local stuff and avoid the NHRA--My first impression was not a good one so guessing the tire deal was BS too.

They do look like MoPed tires but they are not. They have no max MPH on the side and do not say MoPed on the side.

I went with these because they seem to be on a lot of FEDs and should not have an problems with tech.
Glenn R. Lever
Rochester, New York 14617-2012
My Cars https://www.lever-family-racing.com/

Offline MikenMpls

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 80
    • View Profile
  • Your Engine: 408 dart little m block and Iron Eagle heads
  • Your Track: Cameron, MO
  • Your Vehicle: 205" FED
Re: Front Tires
« Reply #22 on: July 11, 2015, 09:26:29 AM »
I got a new set of Hoosiers (just like the Goodyears) on my wire rims but had to have it done at a Motorcycle shop. He said it was a tough job even with his machine. Properly seating the beads was not easy and took time. The Hoosiers have a rib on the sidewall close to the bead so when it was even all the way around the wheel we knew we had it on properly. Once again it was not easy but we got it done.
Next year I want new front wheels, tires and spindles. just because....

Offline George

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 515
    • View Profile
  • Your Vehicle: 1964 Mercury Comet Super Stock/ M automatic
  • General Location: Midwest USA
Re: Front Tires
« Reply #23 on: July 12, 2015, 04:55:14 AM »
My take on this front tire deal is this: I have a friend who drives my car. I'm not going to put any tire on the car that is not speed rated.......


Offline Roger

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 183
    • View Profile
  • Your Vehicle: 125 inch Altered
Re: Front Tires
« Reply #24 on: July 12, 2015, 08:21:08 AM »
George, your friend has a good friend

Offline StigO

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 11
    • View Profile
  • Your Best Time: 6,48/210 1/4 mile
  • Your Engine: Gray DRCE3 500"
  • Your Track: Tierp Arena Sweden
  • Your Vehicle: Neil&Parks FED
Re: Front Tires
« Reply #25 on: July 12, 2015, 02:24:46 PM »
An easy way to put front tires on without any tools.
Start at opposite side of valve, put the tire in the low part in middle of wheel and tie it.
Work your way to the valve and tie it a couple of times and when you are at the valve then just bend tire with your fingers.

Also use a good valve with strong spring so it don´t let the air out when you got some speed on it.

Offline ricardo1967

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 570
    • View Profile
  • Your Best Time: No full pass yet.
  • Your Engine: Alky SBC 400
  • Your Track: Brown County Dragway (Bean Blossom, IN)
  • Your Vehicle: 173" FED
Re: Front Tires
« Reply #26 on: July 12, 2015, 03:03:26 PM »
StigO, that is a great idea! Thanks for sharing that.

Offline jspell

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 132
    • View Profile
  • Your Best Time: 7.48 / 178
  • Your Track: Maple Grove Raceway
  • Your Vehicle: 2014 Ken Keir Dragster
Re: Front Tires
« Reply #27 on: July 12, 2015, 05:45:40 PM »
Really good idea...I just put the tires on my blacktop driveway it the hot sun for awhile and they went on my new Hayden rims like butter...

Offline rooman

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 559
    • View Profile
  • Your Best Time: 6.200/222.05 (1/4 mile--NT/F)
Re: Front Tires
« Reply #28 on: July 13, 2015, 06:34:12 AM »
My take on this front tire deal is this: I have a friend who drives my car. I'm not going to put any tire on the car that is not speed rated.......

George,
            discounting the moped tires which are meant for seriously low speed vehicles, any good motorcycle tire will work on a dragster. The speed ratings for tires are based on running the tire for an hour under load and heat build-up is usually what will kill the tire. Most dragster applications see less load than on a motorcycle as there are two tires carrying the weight and if the car is working the way it should most of the weight is on the rear tires until you shut off.
   As for putting the late model race tires on spoke wheels Bruce is correct in that the narrower version of the Goodyear will work. The Hoosier will also do the job but after mounting a pair of them for me my nephew (who manages  Hoosier's shop here in Brownsburg) told me that he would pay for a set of the narrow Goodyears rather than mount another pair of the Hoosiers.

Roo

Yeah, I am from the south--any further south and I would have been a bloody penguin.