Radial tires can't reach the super-high speeds bias-ply tires can?

[Big time]

I've read the Bugatti Veyron tires last only some seconds at 250mph+
In Formula 1 they keep reducing car speeds to prevent tire failures.

However dragster bias-ply tires have gone 300 mph+ for many decades.
As well as Bonneville salt flats racers: nobody uses radials tires there.

So it seems radials are limited to 250 mph- ???

[henk4]

I've read the Bugatti Veyron tires last only some seconds at 250mph+
In Formula 1 they keep reducing car speeds to prevent tire failures.

However dragster bias-ply tires have gone 300 mph+ for many decades.
As well as Bonneville salt flats racers: nobody uses radials tires there.

So it seems radials are limited to 250 mph- ???

perhaps the non existence of the need for cornering could be an argument not to use radials...In F1 top speeds are being reduced for other reasons. The Michelin failure at Indy several years ago was an incident.

[demonrunning07]

My opinion:
The nitro dragsters that go 300+ mph run the quarter mile in <5sec so by the time they hit their top speed, they're cutting their engines and pulling the 'chute. And then they completely rebuild the engine and get a fresh set of tires. Dragsters also run their tires at much lower pressure than would a street car. Not only does this increase the contact area with the ground but I'll bet it also allows for greater tire temperatures.

Salt flat cars don't even have to worry about traction. Not only are they going completely straight but they have several miles over which to accelerate before they hit their top speed. And they generally have a push-car to get them initially moving. For friction/aerodynamic purposes, they probably use high tire pressure but they can also use thicker/harder rubber compounds since traction isn't as much of a factor in their sport.

[Matra et Alpine]

I'm not a drag fan, but mate was, my understanding of the desire for bias ply is that the "rotate" more and thus absorb the initial power kick and give the tyres a better chance to maintain traction at launch.

Also the problem with high speed and high performance tyres isn't the ply affecting the life, it's the rubber. THe heat at high speeds and the basics of traction will wear a tyre a LOT. We used to get 25 stage miles out of the best tyres on the rally twin cam escort

[Rasmus]

Indeed! With a bias ply you want the walls to wrinkle -- which means running around 14psi plus/minus 1 -- in an effort for the tires and suspension to soak up the hit and grip. However, with enough power you'll start to spin the rims in the tire, which means using a bead lock.

I think I'd piss me pants if I had to take a turn fast on those tyres. It's scary enough to turn the car around for the return lane.

[Big time]

Salt flat cars don't even have to worry about traction.

When aerodynamic drag beings to load the body traction becomes a big issue.
That's (one of the reasons) why they use jet engines as the salt offers limited traction capabilities.

As speed increases centrifugal force tends to place incredible strain on tires.
Bias-ply are way stronger than radials. That's why most heavy trucks still bias-plys.
This increased ruggedness may explain why bias-ply tires can handle speeds radials can't.

[Matra et Alpine]

Haven't we already covered that speed over long time isn't a benefit of a cross-ply ?
Dragsters aren't long distance
I still think the only reason on drag is the ply can absorb that initial kick.
Stronger, I dont have evidence either way but logic does suggest that the cross ply will be by virtue of the overlapping cross bias versus the single radial and only multiple ply on the tread area. So can see for trucks but again I'd ahve thought the advantage of trucks is the stronger side wall integrity to cope with rough handling/kerbing/industrial sites.

[clutch-monkey]

i always heard cross ply referred to as tougher in an offroad context. preferred on most of the farms i visit for farm vehicles