SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/668518
2016 TIRE GUIDE UNDERSTANDING OFF-ROAD TIRES SCORE racers and off-road enthusiasts understand how important a set of tires is to their vehicle. While both want traction and durability, the levels at which tires can provide these vary depending on the its construction. Because tires change the performance and appearance on any vehicle, it's important to understand some of the basics of their construction and design. Types Of Off- Road Tires ALL-TERRAIN- The typical all-terrain tire is designed to provide good traction in a variety of conditions, but generally leans towards street and everyday use. This type of tire is for the vehicle owner who drives mostly on the road and highway, but also likes to take their vehicle off-road. Most all-terrain tires have an interlocking design with more voids than a full street tire tread. The tire tread blocks are larger than a typical street tire, but are spaced close together to provide a smoother ride and good on-road handling. This tread design also has sipes, thin groves cut into the tread blocks, that provide better traction over snow, ice and in the wet. HYBRID - Several tire manufacturers are now offering a hybrid tire that delivers greater capabilities off-road than an all-terrain, but is not quite as aggressive as a full mud-terrain tire. These tires have unique tread designs that feature sipes for all-weather traction, but have slightly wider space between the tread lugs for greater traction over rough conditions. Because the treads are designed in specific shapes and patterns, on-road noise levels are decreased. Hybrid tires also have more aggressive side lugs and improved load capabilities so they can be used for towing. Mud-terrain Mud-terrain tires provide serious traction capabilities in a variety of uneven and rough road conditions. While it's okay to use mud-terrain tires on the pavement, the big block tread designs often create more noise and with softer rubber compounds, they typically don't last as long in that environment either. With noticeably wider spacing between the tread lugs to displace mud, snow and rocks, mud-terrain tires provide optimum traction in severe terrain. Most often TREAD PATTERNS SIPING 076 SCORE JOURNAL