| In the early 1980's Goodyear Tire prepared a | | | | performance tire known as "touring" tires |
| few high performance cars, mostly the | | | | which were designed to accede to high |
| Chevrolet Corvette. The tire's roots were | | | | performance demands and lessen ride and wear |
| based in formula one racing. The tire's | | | | issues. Within a few years, there was an |
| design was very different than most passenger | | | | entire list of high performance tire |
| car tires and was an overnight victory with | | | | categories which include Ultra-high |
| devotees of the race car. The tire featured a | | | | performance, performance, touring, cosmetic |
| low profile side wall, large tread blocks for | | | | performance, touring performance, etc. |
| good dry traction grip, a very stiff sidewall | | | | |
| and a nylon cap over the steel belts to hold | | | | As technology advanced, automobile |
| the tire together at high speeds. The tire | | | | manufacturers began to equip nearly |
| received a unique sidewall rating and it was | | | | everything with a performance tire even the |
| designated with a "V which meant the tire had | | | | mini van because of one simple reason: they |
| been safely tested in the laboratory to stay | | | | help sell cars because they are attractive |
| together at speeds as high as 149 mph. This | | | | and because of the benefits they add to the |
| is the first time the high performance tire | | | | cars steering and braking. |
| was made in America. | | | | |
| | | | The of this was that a consumer would buy a |
| This tire was an instant hit and were also | | | | family sedan and then end up unexpectedly |
| very costly, even by today's standards. It | | | | having to pay up to 700 dollars for |
| was not uncommon for them to cost over | | | | replacement tires. This creates problems |
| $200.00 each. This was an immense price for a | | | | because consumers dont want to pay for this |
| tire considering the average tire cost around | | | | because they dont believe they are |
| $45.00 at the time. | | | | performance drivers so, instead of replacing |
| | | | them, they end up driving on bald tires. But |
| Since then however, the high performance tire | | | | the fact is that we are all performance |
| has made its way onto almost every modern | | | | drivers. Everyone profits from performance |
| car. This is because automobile manufacturers | | | | tires because they are safer, stop better, |
| found that high performance tires helped cars | | | | react quicker, steer better and are less |
| handle better, corner better, stop better, | | | | likely to blow out on the highway. They react |
| steer better, were safer and worked well with | | | | and work much better with modern car systems, |
| anti-lock brake technology. | | | | and so, it is a good idea to look into |
| | | | getting performance tires, if not for your |
| During this time tire manufacturers began to | | | | flashy sports car, at least for your own |
| produce a multitude of intermediate high | | | | safety. |