Performance Tire Guide Part 2: Max Grip

Max grip. Yes, it's a genuine category of performance tires, and it's made up of what I loosely refer to as Southern California tires. The area's scarce rainfall, generally good roads, and the proliferation of high-powered, money-is-no-object cars make these kinds of tires a must-have for any serious SoCal enthusiast.

Many of the tires shown here represent the highest technology-for street use-offered by each tire company. Since each tire maker takes a different approach to presenting the best of its max grip technology, the types of tires presented in this group are far more diverse than those seen in last month's UHP tire guide. Some are designed to excel in wet performance, because dry grip limits are rarely reached by the average driver, while others are designed for high-speed stability or just sheer cornering grip for the occasional autocross. Purpose and application for each tire is also reflected in the selection of sizes available and their performance ratings.

The lack of price sensitivity from buyers in this category translates to fewer compromises in the manufacturing process. Some of these max grip tires are designed to be O.E. applications on today's supercars and reflect the needs and requirements they must meet. In many cases, tires are now both directional and asymmetric in tread design because of this no-compromise mentality. When combined with the staggered wheel setup as seen on many high-performance or aftermarket applications, these tires become corner specific.

From a manufacturer's standpoint, these are perhaps the most difficult types of tires to design. Though cost limitations are not as stringent, these tires have to put up with the most extreme abuse and at the end of the day still must be able to be driven to the grocery store. Unlike a race tire, max grip rubber does not have the same purity of purpose. For example, a race tire is made to provide maximum grip in either the dry or wet, not in both. In addition, race tires do not have to provide grip at nearly the wide range of operating temperatures as a street performance tire.

Most importantly, they do not have to last as long. The longevity of a tire not only has to do with the compound or tread rating, but also in the internal construction, which must be more robust in operation and even in failure.

To help you choose a tire, we've also compiled a list of choices preferred by some of the top tuners in the country. In some cases, the tuner also recommends a less expensive alternative. Keep in mind that many choose their tires based on sizing availability, such as for a Porsche 996 twin turbo that requires something in at least a 295/30/R19 size. Other tuners pick their tires based on the types of vehicles and buying power of their customers. Others are closely affiliated with tire manufactures in terms of support and in some cases development of tires aimed specifically for the aftermarket.