Don Terrill’s Speed-Talk

Has anyone used tire softener?


What works?

Looking to put them on a set of drag radials for alittle more "stick"

The branded stuff like Track Claw, Hot Lap, etc. all work fairly well though with a little different effects one to another.
Generally expensive to use with circle track tires. Drag tires, I wouldn't think a concern. In my time, I've used everything from diesel and acetone to
"blanket roller" for printing presses. Go kart racers are a good source for the latest & greatest tire treatments.

I recently had a conversation with three Goodyear Racing tire engineers, that happened to be at an NHRA national event, on this subject.

The bottom line was they said not to use it. The reason that they gave was that the chemicals used to "soften" the rubber will leach into the tire until they affected he bond between the rubber and the cord. They couldn't say how long it would take (mainly because it depended on how much you used during each application).

They did say that the correct inflation pressure was very critical. These three engineers were involved in the testing of the Ford Cobra Jet factory race cars, which use a 9" tire on very high HP (800+) cars. They tested tire pressures on these cars from 12 psi to 25 psi and said that if they were "off" by two psi it would make a significant ET difference under average track conditions. On bad tracks (high temperature, poorly prepared, etc.) no amount of traction compound will help.

interesting. Thanks for the info

yes every weekend..track claw..best stuff on the market..but now we circle track race.

Who sells track claw?

Whats the best way to apply it?

www.speedwaymotors.com www.jegs.com www.summitracing.com
Follow the directions on the can.