neverstop

Have a set of Hoosier 17" drag radials that have only been down the quarter mile once and down the 1/2 mile three times. That being said they are ~3.5 years old and they look decent on the surface but may require a small patch from where a small staple is stuck in the tire, but I haven't pulled it out yet so may be nothing there. Nothing obviously wrong with them other than kinda old

going to a 1/2 mile event in a month though and wondering if you guys think a 3.5 year old Hoosier drag radial is safe for something like that?

I'm hoping my car will trap >175mph if I can hook up and with ~800whp I'll need all the traction help I can get. Are these tires too old to be safe at 180mph?

I dont' mind buying another set of tires so not trying to be cheap but don't want to waste $600+ and also I have never been a big 1/4 mnile guy so no experience with how old drag type tires last.

thanks

imma_stocker

iTrader: (19)

How were they stored? Carefully examine the entire surface area including the inside for any sign of dry rot. You should use a prybar to flex the sidewall and tread.

Even brand new DOT-R tires can fail on the way to 180mph. As my hot rod co-worker said, nothing is safe at those mph.

JoeNova

Quarter mile?

DHR Darren

iTrader: (1)

If inside and warm, they are fine but they will have still hardened up and will not perform like a new set.

neverstop

they were stored inside in CA where it never get stoo hot or cold. They've only been to the track three times, once there was one burnout and blown 2005 C6 diff right at launch, second there was one burnout and ran low 10s at >135mph so kicked out for no cage, and then last time was 6 months ago at a 1/2 mile race where we put them on my buddy's 550-600whp Vortech C6 and went 155mph+ twice, so they barely have use but in years they are not new


I'll take some pics and post up, they look ok to me but last thing I want is a blow out at 175mph....

stevieturbo

Strangely, any time I've used anything other than virtually brand new Hoosier DR's at an airfield...they offered almost no grip at all.
Last year I had to abort runs at 175mph as they were still lighting the tyres.

Switched to Toyo 888's ( 235/45x17 ) and they gripped far better. The same has happened on two occasions at airfields.
It just seems the Hoosiers wear done very quickly, and need to be very new to get the best from them.

So I would be cautious and have a backup plan, but they would still be worth trying. When new they grip very well. I was using 255/50x16 though.
Mine are also pretty unstable at speed compared to other tyres I've used too.

M&H make some I was considering trying this year in 17", and they blabbed about their tyres being the best drag tyres in the world etc etc.
As soon as I mentioned airfield and 1/2 or 1km stuff....they suddenly went silent about any abilities saying their tyres are drag use only. WTF.

In previous years although with less power, MT DR and Nitto DR's have worked well for me and felt stable at all speeds, even with lowish pressures ( again 16" sizes )

Guard dog

Just get new tires. Yolu don't want to find out they weren't any good at 180mph.

neverstop

my other tires are Nt05R and I didn't do burnouts but I couldn't get those to hook until 60mph at 700whp no matter what the psi. The hoosiers dead hooked my buddy's 550whp C6 in 1st, if R888 hook up that well then I'm sold for sure.

gnx7

iTrader: (28)

I would run them.

I have run the Hoosier drag radials 275/40/17 on my car and they didn't hook up very well at Shift Sector. That runway is soooo dusty, dirty, no prep that 2wd cars simply have a hard time hooking up.
Also tried Nitto NT-05R same size brand new.... slightly better.
The only 2wd car to go 200mph there is a Porsche which has the motor weight all over the rear tires.

I can't really pour in the power until 5th gear out there! Next time I'm trying a 275/50/15 M/T ET street Drag radial.

007FJ

iTrader: (28)

Check the rules. Texas Mile doesn't allow DR's for instance. Lots of 888's and Hoosier Autocross/Road Race rubber out there last weekend.

Beanslsxnova

iTrader: (1)

I respect your question, but why risk your life and your car over a $500 set of tires. I feel like if you have to question it just get some new ones and don't look back.

coltboostin

Easy answer is yes, but unless the surface is very clean it may not be the best option anyways.


But I'd run em. No hesitation if there is no signs of cracking/dry rot.

imma_stocker

iTrader: (19)

Stored as described, I'd torture test and inspect. Not at the track, just romp on them close to home. If they are dry you will see cracks after abusing them.

Torture test them close to home when you aren't rolling dice at 180mph. Inspect them often as tire temps and pressure increase. Did this with my BFG radials, looked fine in the driveway but a 10 mile trip showed cracking. They still hold air but I won't drive on them.