s10dreamer

On the back of the new issue of HotRod, NITTO tires has a new ad.
"NT555R The World's first 20-inch Drag Radial"
Its available in 275/40R20 and 305/35R20.

My question is: What is the advantage to a 20-inch drag radial?
I know most of the time people use 16,17,18 inch drag tires. I heard that they hook up better. Would a 20-inch provide a little more final gearing?
To sum it up is there an advantage to a 20-inch drag radial? Or is it just so people can be "rolling on 20's" at the track?

Rogue86

iTrader: (14)

Your last assumption would be correct.

waterbug1999

iTrader: (3)

There would not be any sidewall...

s10dreamer

Thank you.

Dave J

iTrader: (2)

those will be crap with such a small sidewall
I bet it will be a challenge to get a 2.0 60ft out of them

s10dreamer

The ad says "The NT555R combines a high-grip compound and a semi-racing construction to provide maximum traction off the line."
A 2.0 60ft in not maximum traction. lol

Villain281H

iTrader: (5)

Some modern cars have rotors that will not allow a smaller rim to be used so tire companies are getting requests for bigger drag radials.
As mentioned above, the sidewall would be tiny compared to even a 17" diameter wheel.

Derek

waterbug1999

iTrader: (3)

Does it say you have to heat the hell out of it and only get 4 runs before no more tread? Thats what its going to take.

Red 01SS

iTrader: (2)

Matt D

iTrader: (49)

Nittos on stock wheels barely hold stock power levels. A 20" would be even worse.

s10dreamer

They come with 6/32nds of tread brand new. Is that alot in the race tire area?

Dave J

iTrader: (2)

maximum traction for a 20 inch will be crap and as stated above even the 16/17 inch nittos have problems holding stock power.

I had the 315/35/17`s when I had my stock bolton car and couldnt even get a 2.0 with them then I used the bfg dragradials and was always high 1.6-low 1.7`s with the same setup just different tires(even the same tire size)

botom line is 15 inch are for the drags and 20 inch are for the show

Chris Gage

iTrader: (18)

The advantage to these tires are the guys with these new cars going out to a road course. There are alot of new cars that have 20" stock wheels and wont allow for a wheel any smaller without doing a major brake/rotor job and dropping alot of coin while doing it.

RAGENZ28

iTrader: (5)

Keep in mind which wasn't listed even if the tire did work good, which I doubt it will, 20" rims and tires are heavy and will cost you by adding rotating mass. In short the added weight will slow the car.

TJ

iTrader: (10)

i will never run these tires, but for arguements sake, they offer a 275/40/20.
same sidewall as most of the 17's guys run, but the 20" tire is going to have more rollout.
chances are, i bet it hooks decent for the guys who wont toss their big brakes or wheels for track times.

there is a trailblazer ss that put down 450 n/a that has a set on order. ill post up if he ever gets to the track with them.....

procharged_z06

I am glad these tires came out in a way . When i go to the track i use the ccw drag pack & when i want to look good and do some city / hwy cruising on my H.R.E 19/20 542r's i can have a tire that will hook up MUCH better than even the best regular radial tires for 2nd - 4th gear pulls.