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