Slicks

What are slicks?

Slicks are racing tyres with no tread pattern and no road approval. They deliver the highest grip available on a dry circuit. The whole tread face is in contact with the asphalt, with no grooves and no pattern to give away grip in the dry.

Why no tread?

Tread serves exactly one purpose: clearing water. In the wet it prevents aquaplaning. In the dry it is counterproductive, because less contact area means less grip. Slicks maximise that contact area and therefore offer far more grip than a road tyre. In the rain, though, slicks are dangerous: even a small amount of water causes a complete loss of grip.

Slicks on a track day

Slicks are not road legal, so you cannot drive to the circuit on them. They have to travel in a trailer or a service vehicle. They also need heat: below roughly 80 to 90 degrees Celsius tyre temperature they are worse than a road tyre. Professionals use tyre blankets or run a deliberate warm-up lap.

Slicks in the ESC programme

For experienced track drivers, ESC runs programmes with a slick option, usually combined with coaching, because slicks demand experience. Come and feel maximum grip.