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Getting ready to hit the track with your Dodge Charger? If you've put the time and money into your muscle car to make it a drag strip beast, you might be wondering about which set of tires you should use, and slicks have probably crossed your mind.
While slicks tend to be some of the best tires you can use for drag racing, they're not great in some other areas, so it's important to understand the pros and cons of using slicks on a Dodge Charger.
Slicks have been around for a very long time because they were some of the first tires designed for specialized racing events, like drag racing. First introduced in the 1950s by Marvin and Harry Tires (M&H Tires), they quickly became the most popular drag racing tires of the era. They have smooth tread and no grooves or sipes, so you'll notice them right away versus something like a drag radial tire. Having smooth tread ensures maximum surface contact with the road, which is ideal if you want to launch a powerful car like the Dodge Charger. What's more, slicks unwrap their outer layer when experiencing rapid acceleration – essentially, they balloon outward – and that increases the gear ratio to help your vehicle accelerate even faster. That's why you still see these tires in use today.
There's a reason that slicks have been around for so long, and that's partly due to unmatched performance. That said, some additional benefits are often overlooked, and you can learn about all of the pros of using slicks on a Dodge Charger below.
The most notable benefit of running slicks is that you'll have better traction in dry conditions. Since there's no tread pattern or groove, the slick offers maximum surface contact with the road, which is better for traction. Slicks also tend to be made with softer compounds that don't overheat or blister, which allows them to become sticky and further improve traction when exposed to enough heat (that's why you see burnouts before launching with slicks). While you tend to see slicks at drag racing events, the benefits aren't only felt at the drag strip. Slicks often provide better cornering as well if you opt for those specific options.
One of the lesser-known facts about slicks is that they offer better acceleration by creating a taller gear ratio. When you launch the sidewall twists to improve traction, but as it unwraps the diameter of the tire grows and the gear ratio becomes taller, which is better for top-end speed. In fact, this can be the difference between a record time at the track and falling flat again.
Slicks are some of the most affordable tires you can buy. While they won't last long, if you’re only racing a few weekends per year you can't go wrong with a set of tires like Mickey Thompson ET Drag Tires. Not only are the tires more cost-effective than most drag radials or even summer tires, but you only need two of them for maximum performance.
Slicks will help your Charger maximize its traction at launch and even at high speeds, but they're not always the best tire for every situation. Learn about some of the cons of using slicks on a Dodge Charger below.
The biggest drawback of using slicks is that you'll have pretty much zero traction if it rains. Unfortunately, this can result in poor performance, along with causing your vehicle to slip and slide around, which is dangerous.
There's a reason you often see rubber lying around at the drag strip, especially after a long day of racing. On average, slicks give you the most bang for your buck but they don't always last as long as more expensive drag radial tires.
One of the drawbacks of slicks that many people overlook is the fact that sometimes they're not street-legal. Essentially, you'll have to tow your Charger to the strip, install the tires at the track, or use a trailer. If you need to drive your Charger to the track, you might be better off with something like Nitto NT555RII Competition Drag Radials instead.
When you want the most possible traction for your Charger and you want to shave off a few seconds at the drag strip, you can't go wrong with a slick tire, especially if you don't mind hauling your vehicle to the track. While there are some drawbacks to overcome, the benefits tend to outweigh the cost if you’re building a drag car.
When you need slicks for your Dodge Charger our sales techs are always ready and waiting to help. Plus, they'll help you find tires to compliment a drag setup like Mickey Thompson ET Street Tires that pair well with the brand’s slicks.
