Ok, it's my understanding that to get the maximum possible grip out of a tire, you have to "shave" it...

My question is this: Why does shaving a tire get better grip than the new tire or the tire after a little bit of wear on them? Why is it that a shaved tire gets better grip than a highly worn tire, when it is the same rubber that is exposed? Am I incorrect in my understanding that a shaved tire gets better grip?

 

Street tires? It’s a ridiculous idea.

Competition tires? Yes. See the Tire Rack for a explanation of “shaving” and “heat cycling.”

 

I have been told by many racers my senior that unless you are looking for the absolute best consistent lap time that shaving is the way to go. If you are still a fairly novice driver that it is not necessary and the rubber will last you a lot longer if you do not. The downfall will be that over time the rubber will not be as grippy as it ages and goes through heat cycles.

 

Shaving a street tire isn't pointless. Shaving the tire cuts down on the length of the tread block, shorter the tread block the less "wiggle" it will have. Give you more precise cornering and stability. And if it's a new tire you will get rid of the slippery mold release when you shave them as well.

 

I think it will end up with a rougher surface and it helps to prevent chunking.

 

+1

But it's almost pointless for street driving, since you probably wont be pushing them to the absolute limit. Plus, you're reducing the life of the tire.

But for racing on street tires, shaving will have benefits. Mainly in the reduction of wiggle and removal of the harder mold surface rubber. The reason shaving is better than just driving on the tires for a while is that driving on the tires will heat cycle them, degrading the rubber.

 

In Korea, there is one maker/one model race, and it's been proven time after time that shaving tire tread shaves few tenth of seconds off the lap time. Theory is more tire surface for cornering grip=> faster cornering speed... But the jury is still out there...

 

ST class drivers shave 615's all the time , its a street tire!! Its not pointless for a street tire , just pointless to be used on the street.