5 yr old drag radials?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 816
Likes: 107
I have run DR's at least that old....one set worked decent the other just didn't hook. Now these were tires I bought new and had just been on the car a long time. My cousin also had an old wore out set of Mickey T's that had been on his car for a while....got them warm and managed a low 1.7 '60 so that's not bad. They are all a little different, if not cracking or dry rotting then they are worth trying. Worst thing is they just wont hook.
If I was asked if I would buy a set of 5 year old dr's......well they would have to be real cheap and I would expect them no to work.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,526
Likes: 885
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
2019 C6 of Year Winner (track prepared)
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 64
Likes: 4
From: Dallas TX
Tires expire 5 years after the birth date (manufacturing week/year). Not worth taking a chance. I have thrown away brand new-with stickers, and rubber nipples still present--"roll around" tires used for fitment on street rods because they reached 5 years old.
I saw a guy lose an eye at 7-11 topping off a 6 yr-old tire that exploded at 30 psi (very good amount of rubber and tread left) right through the sidewall. I helped him stem the blood while waiting on an ambulance. That was enough for me...I want to be around to walk my daughters down the aisle.
It is illegal for commercial tire shops (Discount Tire, NTB) to mount or air up tires older than 5 years old. (OSHA regs)
I saw a guy lose an eye at 7-11 topping off a 6 yr-old tire that exploded at 30 psi (very good amount of rubber and tread left) right through the sidewall. I helped him stem the blood while waiting on an ambulance. That was enough for me...I want to be around to walk my daughters down the aisle.
It is illegal for commercial tire shops (Discount Tire, NTB) to mount or air up tires older than 5 years old. (OSHA regs)
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
My 3 yo Hoosiers were still sticking well enough to cut high 1.4x's on my '08 bolt-on. They'll turn 4 in Jan, so I'm hoping they still hook. Racing season here is Oct to Apr. The dry heat takes a lot out of any tire during the Summer.
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