During the 1960s Can-Am sports car races, teams discovered that running with dramatically under-inflated tires—sometimes 40% below recommended pressure—would increase the contact patch so substantially that it generated more grip than properly inflated tires, despite the severe heat buildup and sidewall flex, forcing drivers to completely relearn their braking points and cornering techniques because the car’s handling characteristics would literally transform as tire pressure climbed during the first few laps of racing.
Car Fact #140 — November 2, 2026
