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