The Comp T/A Drag Radial was the world''s first street-legal drag radial that met U.S. Department of Transportation''s (DOT''s) street tire standards and took BFGoodrich''s T/A (Traction/Advantage) to the dragstrip. However, BFGoodrich''s unification of its high performance tires under the g-Force T/A family name has led to changing the original Comp T/A Drag Radial''s name to g-Force T/A Drag Radial.

NOTE: In order to further differentiate the renamed Comp T/A Drag Radial from the existing g-Force T/A Drag Radial (that features a directional tread design), The Tire Rack will identify the renamed Comp T/A Drag Radial as the "g-Force T/A Drag Radial-2".

The only change will be the tire''s name on the sidewall. The g-Force T/A Drag Radial-2 will retain the Comp T/A Drag Radial''s dimensions and proven asymmetric tread pattern, making it compatible with the original Comp T/A Drag Radial, allowing both tires to be paired together for use on the same axle. While the name change will take place gradually during the second and the third quarter of 2004, BFGoodrich plans to convert all sizes by the fourth quarter.

No matter whether you run the g-Force T/A Drag Radial-2 or Comp T/A Drag Radial, their radial construction combines the enhanced traction, superior handling and extended durability not normally associated with competitive bias-ply drag racing tires.

The Drag Radial''s popularity has resulted in some questions about the tire''s high speed capabilities because, unlike other Ultra High Performance street radials, its speed capability is not indicated on the sidewall by a speed symbol in its size or service description. While the Comp T/A Drag Radial has many of the internal construction features usually found in high speed radial tires, the feature that prevents it from being speed rated in the "normal" ways is its unique high-hysteresis tread compound. This compound has extreme energy-absorption characteristics that help the Drag Radial readily conform to the track surface to help launch the car and take it to victory... an eighth- or quarter-mile at a time. This same tread compound, when subjected to continuous operation at very high speeds, could possibly overheat and blister like super-sticky "qualifying tires" that have been used in professional oval track or road racing competition. Thus, even if the Comp T/A Drag Radial is available in a vehicle''s ideal size for use in activities other than drag racing, it should not be used in competition where the car and tire will be exposed to extreme cornering loads or sustained high speeds.

It is also important to remember that the Drag Radial operates most efficiently on the strip at cold inflation pressures of between 15psi and 20psi (in no case should below 12psi be used). And after the racing is done for the day, it is essential that Drag Radials be reinflated to normal highway operating pressures in order to safely bring the driver and trophy back home. Running any tire at relatively low inflation pressure for a given load reduces the tire''s speed capability by causing it to stretch more and operate at a high deflection (more radial bulge). The Drag Radial is built to withstand brief "bursts" of high speed while inflated at low pressure (such as would be experienced on a quick car in the quarter-mile), but no tire can be expected to survive for a long time at high speed while operating at high deflection. While the tires require minimal scuffing, heat cycling is recommended to further enhance consistency and wear.

The Comp T/A Drag Radial has been one of the most widely publicized and most successful drag radials ever used in competition. In addition to clinching the NOPI Drag Racing Association (NDRA) championship in 2003, BFGoodrich''s Comp T/A Drag Radial set a new world record for the fastest time on a DOT-approved tire. Paul Efantis drove his Toyota Supra to a new world record in the NDRA BFGoodrich Pro Street Class by ripping off an 8.25 second quarter mile at 170.8 m.p.h. With the world record, Efantis beat his own previous mark set on the same tire.