A specialized category of automotive equipment exists to bridge the gap between daily road use and competitive drag racing.
This product is a type of Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) approved radial designed with a soft, high-traction rubber compound and a tread pattern optimized for maximum grip on dry pavement.
For instance, products like the Nitto NT555RII and the specific model detailed in this article serve this niche market.
These performance radials provide the necessary traction to effectively transfer high horsepower to the ground at a drag strip while remaining legally compliant for use on public roads, offering a versatile solution for performance enthusiasts.
tire mickey thompson et street s s
The Mickey Thompson ET Street S/S stands as a prominent example of a high-performance, street-legal drag radial.
It is engineered specifically for high-horsepower muscle cars, modern performance vehicles, and sports cars that see both street and drag strip duty.
This tire’s design philosophy centers on delivering exceptional straight-line traction without completely sacrificing the characteristics required for public road use.
Its development is a direct result of decades of drag racing innovation, translating track-proven technology into a D.O.T.-approved package for enthusiasts.
A key element of this tire’s performance is its proprietary R2 compound.
This specialized rubber formulation is significantly softer than that of standard passenger car tires, allowing it to heat up quickly and provide superior adhesion to the pavement.
The R2 compound is engineered to offer a balance between the extreme grip needed for a successful drag launch and a reasonable level of durability for street driving.
This balance is crucial, as it allows drivers to use the same set of tires for driving to the track, competing, and driving home.
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The tread design of the ET Street S/S is a clear indicator of its performance intentions.
It features very large, nearly continuous tread blocks and minimal void area, which maximizes the amount of rubber in contact with the road surface, known as the contact patch.
This design is highly effective for dry traction, channeling the engine’s power into forward momentum with minimal wheel spin.
While this minimalist tread pattern is excellent for grip, it inherently has limitations in displacing large amounts of water, a common trade-off for tires in this category.
Beyond the tread, the tire’s internal construction and sidewall are equally specialized. The radial construction provides stability and a good ride quality on the street, which is an improvement over traditional bias-ply drag slicks.
However, the sidewall is engineered to be more flexible than a typical radial, allowing it to wrinkle and absorb the initial shock of a hard launch.
This controlled wrinkling helps the tire maintain a larger and more consistent contact patch as weight transfers to the rear of the vehicle, which is a critical factor in achieving low 60-foot times at the drag strip.
On the street, the ET Street S/S offers a unique driving experience.
While its straight-line grip is formidable, its cornering capabilities are softer than those of a dedicated ultra-high-performance summer tire due to the flexible sidewalls.
Drivers must be mindful of its characteristics, particularly in wet conditions where the minimal tread voids reduce hydroplaning resistance.
The tire is designed for responsible street use, primarily for getting to and from car shows or the racetrack, rather than for aggressive all-weather daily driving.
At the drag strip, the tire truly demonstrates its purpose. Following a proper burnout to heat the R2 compound to its optimal temperature, it delivers impressive launch grip.
This allows drivers of high-power vehicles to launch at higher RPMs with significantly reduced wheelspin compared to conventional street tires.
The result is drastically improved acceleration off the line, leading to better elapsed times and a more consistent, repeatable performance pass after pass.
Mickey Thompson offers the ET Street S/S in a wide array of sizes to fit a diverse range of vehicles, from classic American muscle cars with 15-inch wheels to modern performance cars requiring larger 18, 19, or 20-inch diameters.
This extensive size availability makes it an accessible upgrade for a broad spectrum of the performance community.
Choosing the correct size is critical not only for proper vehicle fitment but also for optimizing the car’s overall gearing and performance profile.
When compared to other tires in the Mickey Thompson lineup, the ET Street S/S occupies a specific niche.
It is more street-friendly than the more aggressive ET Street R, which features even less tread void and is considered a step closer to a pure slick.
Conversely, it offers substantially more traction than a standard ultra-high-performance summer tire, making it the ideal intermediate choice for owners who prioritize drag strip performance but still require D.O.T.
legality and some measure of street civility.
Proper care and procedure are essential to maximizing the performance and lifespan of these specialized tires.
This includes performing a correct burnout to heat the compound without overheating it, as well as managing tire pressure precisely.
Lowering the air pressure at the track expands the contact patch for better grip, but it must be returned to the recommended street pressure for safe road driving.
These steps ensure the tire functions as designed in both environments.
Ultimately, the target demographic for the ET Street S/S is the serious performance enthusiast who regularly participates in drag racing events but drives the same vehicle on the street.
This tire is not intended for the average commuter or for use in inclement weather.
It is a purpose-built tool designed to provide a significant competitive advantage at the track, giving drivers the confidence that their vehicle’s power is being effectively translated into motion.
Key Performance Characteristics
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D.O.T. Approved for Street Use
A crucial feature is its full compliance with Department of Transportation standards, making it legal for use on public roads.
This certification means the tire has met minimum requirements for tread depth, markings, and construction necessary for street safety.
For enthusiasts, this eliminates the need to transport a separate set of racing slicks to the track, offering significant convenience. However, its D.O.T.
approval does not imply it performs like a standard all-season tire, and users must remain aware of its specialized design limitations.
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Proven R2 Racing Compound
The tire utilizes a specific rubber formula known as the R2 compound, which is derived directly from Mickey Thompson’s extensive drag racing experience.
This soft, high-grip compound is engineered to provide maximum traction under heavy acceleration. It heats up quickly during a burnout, becoming sticky and pliable to create exceptional adhesion with the pavement.
This composition is the primary reason for the tire’s superior straight-line performance compared to conventional street tires.
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Enhanced Traction with Minimal Tread Void
The tread pattern is intentionally designed with large, solid tread blocks and very few channels or voids.
This design maximizes the surface area of the rubber that touches the ground, which is essential for achieving optimal grip in dry conditions.
By creating a larger and more stable contact patch, the tire can handle the immense torque of high-horsepower engines during launch. This design philosophy prioritizes straight-line performance above all else, including wet-weather traction.
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Purpose-Built Radial Construction
While it is a radial tire, its construction is highly specialized for drag racing applications. The internal structure and sidewall are engineered to allow for controlled flex and “wrinkling” upon launch.
This behavior helps the tire absorb the initial shock of power delivery and allows the contact patch to conform to the pavement, preventing wheel hop and maintaining grip.
This blend of radial stability for the street and bias-ply-like launch characteristics for the strip is a hallmark of its design.
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Requirement of Proper Burnout
To achieve maximum performance, the tire requires a proper burnout procedure before each run at the drag strip.
The friction from the burnout heats the R2 compound into its optimal operating temperature range, making it significantly stickier. A short, effective burnout cleans any debris from the tread and activates the compound’s adhesive properties.
Skipping or improperly performing this step will result in a significant reduction in available traction and inconsistent launch performance.
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Wide Range of Available Sizes
The manufacturer produces this tire in a comprehensive range of sizes to accommodate a vast array of performance vehicles.
This includes sizes for traditional 15-inch drag wheels common on classic muscle cars, as well as larger diameters up to 20 inches for modern sports and performance cars.
This broad availability ensures that owners of many different platforms can find a suitable fitment to upgrade their vehicle’s traction capabilities without requiring major modifications.
Practical Usage and Optimization
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Tire Pressure Management
Properly managing air pressure is one of the most critical aspects of using this type of tire effectively.
For street driving, pressures should be set to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations or slightly higher to ensure stability and proper wear.
At the drag strip, the pressure should be lowered significantlyoften into the 15-22 PSI range depending on the vehicleto increase the size of the contact patch and allow the sidewall to flex correctly.
Always remember to reinflate the tires to street pressure before leaving the track for safe road operation.
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Suspension and Drivetrain Considerations
To fully capitalize on the immense grip provided, the vehicle’s suspension must be properly set up. The increased traction will expose any weaknesses in the suspension or drivetrain components.
Upgrades such as adjustable shock absorbers, stronger control arms, and reinforced axles may be necessary to prevent wheel hop and component failure.
The tire and suspension must work together as a system to manage weight transfer and maintain consistent contact with the track surface during a hard launch.
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Mindful Driving in Wet Conditions
While the tire is D.O.T. legal, its design makes it ill-suited for wet or rainy conditions.
The minimal tread voids are not effective at channeling water away from the contact patch, which can lead to a high risk of hydroplaning, even at moderate speeds.
Drivers must exercise extreme caution when caught in the rain, reducing speed and avoiding standing water. For vehicles that are driven frequently in wet climates, this tire is not a recommended choice for year-round use.
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Storage and Longevity
The soft R2 compound that provides excellent grip also wears much faster than standard tire compounds and is susceptible to hardening from heat cycles and exposure to the elements.
To maximize the tire’s lifespan, it should be stored in a cool, dark, and dry place when not in use, away from direct sunlight and sources of ozone like electric motors.
Proper storage helps preserve the compound’s pliability and ensures it is ready to perform when needed for the next race day or event.
The technology behind street-legal drag radials has evolved significantly over the past few decades. Early iterations were often a harsh compromise, offering mediocre performance on both the street and the strip.
Modern advancements in rubber chemistry and computer-aided tread design have led to products like the ET Street S/S, which provide a much more refined balance.
These tires now deliver traction levels that were once exclusive to pure, non-streetable racing slicks, fundamentally changing the landscape of street car drag racing.
Understanding the concept of a tire’s “contact patch” is fundamental to appreciating this tire’s design. The contact patch is the literal portion of the tire that touches the ground at any given moment.
The ET Street S/S is engineered to maximize the size and stability of this patch, especially under acceleration.
The combination of a wide, flat tread profile, minimal voids, and a flexible sidewall all work in concert to lay down as much rubber as possible, which is the key to effectively transmitting power to the pavement.
The physics of a drag racing launch involve complex dynamics of weight transfer and torque application. When a car accelerates aggressively, weight shifts from the front to the rear wheels.
A tire like the ET Street S/S is designed to capitalize on this weight transfer.
Its flexible sidewall absorbs the initial shock and allows the tire to “squat,” pressing the tread firmly onto the racing surface and creating the grip needed to propel the vehicle forward with minimal wasted energy from wheelspin.
A frequent debate among drag racers is the choice between radial and bias-ply tire construction.
Bias-ply slicks are known for their very forgiving sidewalls that wrinkle extensively, making them excellent for absorbing harsh launches on less-than-ideal surfaces.
Radials, like the ET Street S/S, offer greater stability at high speeds and better ride quality for the street.
The ET Street S/S represents a hybrid approach, incorporating some of the forgiving launch characteristics of a bias-ply into a modern, stable radial platform.
Matching the tire to the vehicle’s power output and suspension is a critical step for any serious racer.
A car with moderate horsepower might not need the extreme grip of an ET Street S/S and could perform well with a less aggressive tire.
Conversely, installing these tires on a very high-horsepower car with stock suspension could lead to broken drivetrain parts.
The tire is one component in a balanced system, and its selection should be made in consideration of the entire vehicle setup for optimal and reliable performance.
Tire markings provide essential information, and this is especially true for performance tires. Beyond the standard size designation (e.g., 275/40R17), consumers should understand the D.O.T.
code, which confirms its street legality, and any specific compound identifiers.
While drag radials like this often omit a traditional treadwear rating due to their soft compound, understanding the load index and speed rating remains important for ensuring the tire is appropriate and safe for the specific vehicle and its intended use.
The term “tread void ratio” refers to the percentage of a tire’s tread pattern that is composed of open channels or grooves versus solid rubber.
A standard all-season tire has a high void ratio to effectively evacuate water. In contrast, the ET Street S/S has a very low void ratio.
This design choice is a deliberate engineering trade-off, sacrificing wet-weather performance to maximize the amount of rubber available for dry grip, which is the paramount concern for a drag racing-oriented tire.
The future of this tire segment will likely be driven by further innovations in polymer science and compound chemistry.
Engineers are constantly working to develop new materials that can offer even more grip while simultaneously improving tread life and street manners.
As automotive technology pushes engine power to new heights, tire technology must advance in parallel to provide the traction necessary to use that power effectively, ensuring the continued relevance and evolution of products like the ET Street S/S.
Frequently Asked Questions
John asks: “Realistically, how many street miles can I expect to get from a set of Mickey Thompson ET Street S/S tires?”
Professional’s Answer: That’s a common and important question, John. The lifespan of these tires on the street varies greatly depending on several factors.
Because of the soft R2 compound designed for grip, they will wear much faster than a typical street tire. A vehicle’s alignment, driving style, and horsepower level all play a significant role.
With conservative street driving, some users report getting between 3,000 to 8,000 miles, but aggressive driving or frequent track use can reduce that number considerably.
It is best to think of them as a specialized performance part rather than a long-term daily tire.
Sarah asks:
“I know they are D.O.T. legal, but are these tires actually safe to drive in the rain?”
Professional’s Answer: Hi Sarah, safety is the right thing to be concerned about. While the ET Street S/S is D.O.T. legal, it is not designed for wet conditions.
The tread pattern has very few voids, which are necessary to channel water away from the tire. This makes them highly susceptible to hydroplaning.
If you are caught in an unexpected rain shower, it is critical to reduce your speed significantly and drive with extreme caution.
For any regular driving in rainy climates, a different tire with a proper all-season or summer tread pattern is a much safer choice.
Ali asks:
“What is the main difference between the ET Street S/S and the ET Street R model?”
Professional’s Answer: That’s a great question, Ali, as it helps clarify their intended uses.
The ET Street S/S (Super Sport) is designed as a street/strip tire, offering a balance between excellent drag strip traction and reasonable street manners.
The ET Street R (Race) is a step closer to a full racing slick.
It has even less tread void and is designed for maximum performance at the track, with only the bare minimum of features to retain D.O.T. legality.
Essentially, the S/S is for the enthusiast who drives on the street more often, while the R is for the dedicated racer who needs a street-legal tire primarily for competition.
Maria asks:
“Do I need to install inner tubes with these tires, like with some old-school slicks?”
Professional’s Answer: Hi Maria, that’s a good point of clarification. No, you do not need to use inner tubes with the ET Street S/S. They are designed as modern tubeless radial tires.
They should be mounted on high-quality wheels that are in good condition and free of any defects that could cause air leaks. Using them without tubes is the standard and recommended installation method.
David asks:
“What is the correct burnout procedure for these tires to get the best grip at the track?”
Professional’s Answer: David, getting the burnout right is key to performance. The goal is to heat the R2 compound evenly without overheating it and to clean off any debris. A controlled, steady burnout is best.
Start by rolling through the water box just enough to wet the tires, then pull forward to a dry spot.
Apply the brakes to hold the car steady and spin the tires until you see a light haze of smoke.
There’s no need for a long, massive smoke show; that can actually overheat the compound and make it greasy. A short, effective burnout is all that’s needed to activate the tire’s grip.
Chen asks:
“Can I use the ET Street S/S on the front wheels of my car as well?”
Professional’s Answer: Hi Chen, that’s an important question for vehicle balance and safety. The ET Street S/S is specifically designed as a rear-drive tire for acceleration traction.
Its construction and tread pattern are not optimized for steering or braking responsibilities.
It is strongly recommended to use them only on the drive axle (the rear for most performance cars) and pair them with a high-quality radial tire on the front that is designed for steering and handling, such as a Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/R or a comparable performance street tire.