[Christ]

Originally Posted by gascort

An interesting debate, everyone. Like most, I agree with the main concepts here (I teach Physics) that increased Surface Area does not affect frictional force; increasing SA decreases pressure, reducing the frequency of microwelds.
We do laboratory tests in my class (not with tires, but with a variety of materials, including rubber) and the average results over many trials and groups indicates no change in friction by changing the SA by doubling or even quadrupling. Changing the normal force (weight), on the other hand......
On an anecdotal note, I have some huge tires (315/35R17), or 31.5cm wide, on my mustang. Just for looks - not for aero or friction for sure. I get all sorts of comments about how it "must hook up good" and I can't take time to correct everyone. It hooks just as well as the stock 245 tires I had. Maybe worse, I think these tires are harder. When it is raining, though, I can get sideways on the freeway if I hit the throttle. Then I wish for skinny tires.

Reminds me of a guy I saw on RT 270 in MD (off RT 15S) with a big azz diesel (He had TRUCK NUTZ, too. ) Decided to shrug off the speed limit and show his ass and all the black smoke he could muster with his Banks' Six-Shooter setup (Banks' sticker in the rear window)... and totalled the truck at ~80 MPH because when he throttled it, the turbo spooled, causing the tires to spin on the wet ground, slinging the truck sideways in front of the person he was obviously showing off to, and sliding into the median (he was passing on the right) strip, basically totalling his truck. What a fool. He's lucky he didn't roll it, the stupid ass. I didn't bother stopping to see if he needed help, I just kept on my way. When I came back through, the truck was gone, and there were several sets of tire tracks in the median. I can only assume his "mo-powa" buddies came and pulled him out and took it home so he could lock it in the garage.l