Originally Posted by
wai
Actually wider tyres will not help unless the rubber compound has a higher coefficient of friction.
You can have two tyres on each end of the same axle where one is wide and the other narrow. As long as they both have the same rubber compound, you will find that both will provide the same resistance to slipping. Why racing tyres are wider is because they are made of a softer (partially cured) rubber compound, and the width is to reduce the amount of wear. This is all what F1 is on about now.
The equation of friction is F = uN where F is the force that can be generated between the two surfaces, u is a non-dimensional coefficient of friction, and N is the force normal to the friction surfaces. The trick is to keep the force to a level so that the torque from the engine does not exceed the friction between the tyre and road surface.
Some cars will not break traction because for various reasons the force generated is always less than the friction force.
You can get "better quality" tyres, however to get a higher coefficient of friction, the compound will generally wear more easily and so have a shorter service life.
Everything is a trade off. That is why I suggested not pressing the accelerator as far. Just as you have a bite point with a clutch, you also have a bite point with the tyres as well. You need to feel for that and you are then getting the maximum accelerating force you can.
God i hate physics at uni currently, but it has so many good uses!
Nice explanation wai, clearer than most 90 year old lecturers lol
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