How the 2023 Drag-and-Drive Season Changed the 235 Tire Game
While small tire racing has made some serious strides in drag racing as a whole, the drag-and-drive community raised the small tire bar to a whole new level in 2023.
The tiny 235-sidewall designation drag radial (or 26-inch-tall x 8.5-inch width slick) class, commonly referred to as Rowdy Radial, run on the eighth-mile distance.
Before the 2023 drag-and-drive season got underway, mid-to-low 5-second passes would get you towards the front of the class, or in some cases, pick up a win.
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Two years ago, a 5.51 average was Randy Cain’s winning ticket in 1.0. RMRW 2.0 was picked up by Andy Cook thanks to his 5.22 tally, and that average, along with a single pass of 5.13 would stand as the benchmarks in Rowdy Radial.
2022 would see more runs in the low 5-second range, with former class winner Travis Martin picking up the title at RMRW 1.0 with a 5.25 average. Ironically, Cook also used a 5.25 average to win RMRW 2.0 in 2022, marking Cook’s second-straight Randy Radial class win.
Sick Week presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive added the small-tire Rowdy Class to its arsenal in 2023, and the rumor mill talk was we would see our first 4-second pass in competition. By the time Sick Week was completed, a total of ten passes in the fours were turned in.
Devin Vanderhoof enlisted Jordan Tuck to wheel his 1993 Mustang in competition, and the big block Chevy-powered single turbo steed not only lowered the record average to a 4.64, Tuck also produced a 4.59 at 167 mph at the fourth track of the week, Gainesville Raceway.
Not far behind Vanderhoof and Tuck was Sheldon Root, who used a single turbo LS-powered ’62 Acadian to clock a 4.76 at 152 mph best pass, in route to week-long average of 4.81.
Six cars averaged 5.54 or better for the week, led by the 5.11 average of Larry Albright, who almost joined the 4-second group with a 5.02 and 5.03 pass on the third and fourth days.
As the 2023 drag-and-drive headed north for Sick Summer presented by TBM brakes, Cook showed his GTO was still a force to be reckoned with, posting a 5.25 average to win the Rowdy Radial class.
RMRW 1.0 had the third entry into the Rowdy Radial 4-second club, as Matt Moore clocked a 4.95 at 145 mph on his way to a class-winning 5.08 average.
Southeast Street-N-Yeet, held about two weeks ago, would be witness to the fourth and fifth drivers to enter 4-second territory, as Hot Rod Drag Week winner Ryan Hargett donned the small tire for a 4.79 single pass, and 4.82 average to win the Tiny Tire class. Martin nabbed the runner-up spot with his best average ever at 5.01, and also scored his first 4-second blast, a 4.99.
Now, the question is, what will 2024 hold for the 235 tire? Vanderhoof is making the switch from single turbo to twins, although he has yet to confirm if the Mustang will ride on the tiny tires again.
Root has swapped his Acadian from LS to big block Chevrolet, and will also step up to twin-turbochargers. Moore is sticking with his LS single turbo combination, but will change cylinder head and intake designs.
How quick will the small tires go in 2024? Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive is January 28th through February 2nd, just over nine weeks away. Find out more details on the first drag-and-drive of the season HERE!
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Motion Raceworks and Chris Story Fotos.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com