"Wright, Larry" wrote:
> IF we're still talking about wheel diameter...
> ...does anyone recall which issue of Road & Track (?) that had a
> 'test' of the so-called "plus one", "plus two", etc., wheel upgrades,
> perhaps 2-3 years ago? It's the only attempt I've read with objective data
> on the subject. My memory is not trustworthy, but I seem to remember that
> the conclusion was some handling improvement for "plus one", none for "plus
> two" or "plus three", but no critical drawbacks either, therefore one could
> choose wheel size with aesthetics as the primary criterion.
>
> Lawrence R. Wright, Purchasing Analyst
Larry,
I do remember reading that article, only it must have been 10 years ago, or at
least the first time they did it. I certainly don't recall all the conclusions,
but the one that stuck in my mind, and was subsequently covered in 'handling'
articles, was the "tire patch" or tire surface contact area and SHAPE. It
appears
that, as tires got wider, with the same loading, the patch went from rectangular
with the longest leg fore-aft, to square to rectangular with the longest axis
being across the width. At this point they started drawing diagrams of the
forward and side wards forces, and the resultant force (diagonal of force
vectors). When the aspect ratio of the tire got less than 1 (wider than long)
the
car became less stable until the critical point where it lost traction/control
in
a turn and spun.
Anyway, that's my flawed recollection of the 'wider is better' argument.
On the subject of hard tops and Tigers. I have used my Tiger to go on long
weekend
jaunts to B&B's and car events. Even on nice days, we would put the top on for
the road trip. The reduction of wind noise and buffeting allowed us to cover
greater distances and arrive in better shape than being open. Could even hear
the
radio. On arrival we carried the hard top into the hotel/motel room and enjoyed
the local travel and sun. This allowed me to convince the better half to take
the
trips at all, without discomfort.
My thanks to Karen Foster for the hint, it works fine.
Steve
--
Steve Laifman < Find out what is most >
B9472289 < important in your life >
< and don't let it get away!>
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