Picked up a nail in the center of my ET's. Took it to my local tire store. They took out the nail, put in a plug, put a patch on the inside and VIOLA, just like new. Haven't had a problem in 3 years. Oh, and I have no tubes either.

 

It is called a plug patch, It it a flat pc of rubber patch with a nipple or pc of rubber that is built into the flat patch.
The tire guy will drill a hole in your tire so the nipple will stick through. They then use an ahesive and stick it in the inside of the tire and cut off the extra tip of the nipple.

My tire guy said it was good to run on the track and do burn outs because the nipple wears with the tire and will not leak.

Jim

 

I just can't picture it... A plug in a race tire. Guys, I'm sure it may work fine, but with my butt going over 100mph on a hot summer day I will not be using a patch or plug.

The manufacturer recommends tubes with ET Streets. I use them.

I wonder what the manufacturer would say abotu plugs and patches, in conjunction with no tubes...

I'm sorry, but tubeless ET Streets with a plug patch I hope I never see in the lane beside me. Too much can go wrong too quickly at the big end of the track. I have seen too many people get hurt or wreck becasue of a smalll part or stupid judgement call. If you can afford to race you should be able to afford the proper equipment.

Yea Yea, I know someone here has probably run with plugs for years with no problem, but personally my safety is worth more than the cost of a set of tubes.

 

like it was stated earlier, he already bought a tube. the problem is that the center mount valve stems hit the brake calipers. her is what mickey thompson's site says:

 

Back in the early 70's there was a couple places in savannah here that use to be able too take the stem out the middle and attach it to where ever you wanted it.But like most everything else certain trades seem to just get lost.

 

You need to see the plug patch to understand how it works. I have made some low 12 passes at over 100 mph with out any problems. I have talked with guys that have had problems (busting tubes) in ET Streets so they guys I run with will not run tubes.
I have four sets of tires and wheels between two cars so I guess money is not a problem for me.
Check it out, then form an opinion.

Jim
Systems Analyst

 

Yes I know what you mean I never have ran tubes either and it wasn't because of any money issue it was because I didn't like the tubes. I have ran many sets of et's without tbes and never had a problem.

 

I fully agree on NOT patching an ET Street w/ out a tube.

BUT, I also disagree with running without tubes. My setup is 16x9.5" Centerlines, 26x11.5 ET Streets, and rim screws.

They leak about 1psi/day because of the rims screws and no tube, but who cares....you don't drive on these things daily, and I just air them up before I hit the strip.

George Baxter was the original owner of these rims/tires/screws. He ended up installing a new set of ET Streets on them, and sold them to Fred (Injuneer). Fred ran them for a few passes, decided he wanted something bigger, and sold them to me. They've been in the hands of a couple big names on this board, and both obviously felt this setup was fine. I've had no problems with the setup thus far, and I normally run 12-15 psi in them, depending on my traction needs. I'll probably go down to 10psi with them.

With rim screws, I'm not going to be able to spin them on the rim and break the bead. Dunno, I've seen too many people run these tires without tubes for me to warrant tossing a set of heavy tubes in there. If George and Fred think it is fine, well, so do I.

 

I agree that if you are forced to patch a drag tire definitely use a tube, I've been through that personally. As for the question of using tubes or not using tubes, it's all up to the individual. I ran my ET's/Hoosiers tubeless up until just recently and was suprised to find the tire more consistent with tubes, so that is why I use them.

Randy

 

I'm really not arguing guys...

All I am saying is that probably patches work fine. Probably no tubes works fine. Probably rim screws or not, whatever you decide to do is fine.

What I am saying is when something doesn't work fine, I don't want it to because I did something that saved me a couple of bucks and it ended up costing me a race, a wrecked car, an accident, or an injury to myself or others.

Tubes are not much money. The manufacturer recommends tubes, even provides tubes to work with their product. If something did happen at the big end of the track that resulted in a blowout and I didn't have tubes and the guy next to me was hurt I would always wonder if I could have prevented the injury. If I follow directions I know that I have done everything reasonable. If I don't follow directions not only do I have some doubt, I may also be exposed legally for failing to comply with proper/recommended use.

That is all I am saying. I have not had an issue with tubes blowing but I use plenty of talc and rim screws.

 

The psychology of all this is sort of interesting. Someone asks for an opinion. Divergent opinions are expressed. Then people get crabby and adopt a sort of huffy tone. Reminds me of my 13yo daughter arguing with her friends about which teen idol is cuter or something

BTW: I guess I am part of the girlish bickering, because I am reposting without any tech content! So just to reiterate what Ted posted: you can all do what you want and probably be fine. I tend to follow the standard, tried and true route and not take shortcuts. And there's no way I could see the tube+rim screw route as being anything but safer.

Is the difference significant? I am not sure the data exists to prove it one way or another. But it is extremely flawed reasoning to say that because you have personally gotten away with something for years, it must be safe. Why? Because we are talking about rare events. Leaving out my road race experiences, I have never "needed" even seatbelts at the track, let alone my 5-point harness, helmet, and roll bar (soon to be a full cage). The slightest injury would not have resulted from omitting these expensive, annoying safety items. Does that mean these shouldn't be used? Of course not, they are to protect you from an unusual event.

So, one person's experience with a safety item means nothing. Most of you aren't old enough to remember the "controversy" about seat belt laws. Now, leaving aside the issues of personal freedom and responsibility, one argument made by the "anti" side was ludicrous. They came out of the woodwork with stories about weird accidents where they either survived fine without any restraints, or even could claim (sometimes plausibly) that wearing a belt might have resulted in an injury that they avoided. Does that mean the seatbelts should not be used? Decide for yourself.

Anyway, I still say it's foolish to run drag tires without a tube and rim screws. Not that anyone who does so is a fool, just that they are doing something foolish. But as a believer in personal responsibility and freedom, I say "go ahead". Just please try not to line up with me at the track. I don't want your car next to mine when your rear tire deflates at the big end!

Rich Krause