I bought 315/30/18 MT ET Street DRs they hooked up great - didn't spin in any gear. Took them to the track and everything was fine...since then they haven't hooked at all. I burn out all the way through 2nd gear - my car seems to go sideways a little when I get on it. They don't feel safe at all. I looked at them today and noticed this:




Don't know if this is normal or not but it looks like the rubber is pealing off the tire.

 

Looks like you need adjust your air pressure. Other wise I believe them to be fine.
Remember if your car slid sideways what you see is the result of that, no harm to the tire.

 

They were at 30psi when balanced and mounted...hooked up great even then. They're at 27psi now and don't remotely preform like they did before.

 

First, you have a nice looking GTO.

Regarding your post...

I didn't see anything wrong with your tire from the photos you posted.

So, let me ask, are these your first set of tires that are made from a soft R compound rubber?
That's what an R compound tire is supposed to look like after it has been heat cycled.

If so, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. The tires are supposed to look like that after they have been heat cycled

The drag radials you own have the same R compound rubber as the Toyo Proxes R888s.

The difference between these two tires is a drag radial like you have has a soft sidewall making it ideal for traction from a dig while the Toyo R888s are a competition road racing tire. That means they have a stiff sidewall for excellent cornering and stability at high speeds.

Please view this product review and it will show you the rubber will look exactly like the photos you posted (3:04 into the video). It will also teach you how to properly heat up the tire (so I would watch the whole video).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw2lbwPZ5x4

If this isn't your first set of R compound tires, and this info was elementary, I apologize. I simply didn't see anything wrong with your tires in the photos and assumed you have only had regular performance tires up to this point. Regular performance tires are made of a harder rubber which is why they have a longer threadwear. That rubber doesn't look like the R compound rubber after they have been heated.

Anyway, I hope this was informative and makes you feel better.

Have a nice weekend.

 

^ +1
That's what happens when sticky compound tires get hot.

When you get it figured out let me know because I'd like to know.

 

I experienced the same thing. Felt like the car was skating all over the road. I almost threw them out, sure didn't feel safe crossing the 1/4 at 130 mph. I just happened to change front tires to a non run flat and the car feels 100% stable at any speeds and I've gone as far as dropping the rear air pressure down to 22 lb even though with my power level 24 to 26 lb seem to work best. Try swapping your front tires with someone who has non run flats and get back with us.

 

I appreicate the info. Yes this is my first set of drag radials. After referring to the video I still think my tires look differently. I took another photo with the marco setting:

Maybe I'm having a hard time seeing the similarities?

This still doesn't explain why I'm not grabbing the pavement like they were when I first had them on. I spin all the way through second gear.

 

I don't have run flats for the front tires. I'll try lowering the rear pressure to 25lbs and see what happens.

 

EDIT. nevermind.