Mickey Thompson ET Street S/S P305/35R19: Ultimate Grip for Street and Strip

For performance car enthusiasts, the quest for grip is a never-ending journey. It’s the foundation of acceleration, handling, and overall driving excitement. But what if you want a tire that can deliver blistering performance at the drag strip and still provide a comfortable, safe ride home? That’s the age-old dilemma: finding a tire that excels in two vastly different environments. Many have tried, and many have fallen short. This is where the Mickey Thompson ET Street S/S Racing Radial Tire - P305/35R19 steps in, promising a solution to this enduring challenge.

Introducing a Contender: The Mickey Thompson ET Street S/S

Mickey Thompson, a name synonymous with drag racing innovation, has long been at the forefront of high-performance tire technology. Founded by the legendary racer and innovator himself, the company has built a reputation for pushing the boundaries of grip and speed. The ET Street S/S represents a culmination of that legacy, a tire designed to deliver track-ready performance while maintaining street-legal civility. The “S/S” stands for “Street/Strip,” a clear indication of its intended dual-purpose nature. The specific size we’re focusing on, P305/35R19, is a popular choice for modern muscle cars and high-performance vehicles.

The Foundation of Grip: Contact Patch and Compound

Before we delve into the specifics of the ET Street S/S, let’s talk about the fundamentals of tire grip. It all boils down to two key factors: the contact patch and the rubber compound. The contact patch is, quite literally, the small area of the tire that’s in contact with the road surface at any given moment. The larger and more consistent that contact patch, the more grip you have. Think of it like this: would you rather try to stand on one foot or two? Two feet provide a larger, more stable base.

The rubber compound is the other half of the equation. Different compounds have different properties, affecting how they interact with the road. Softer compounds, like those used in racing tires, tend to be “stickier.” They conform to the microscopic irregularities of the road surface, creating a greater effective contact area and increasing mechanical grip. Imagine pressing your hand onto a smooth surface versus a rough one – you’ll get a better grip on the rough surface because your hand can mold to its shape.

Decoding the R2 Compound: Mickey Thompson’s Secret Weapon

The ET Street S/S utilizes Mickey Thompson’s proprietary R2 compound, a formulation honed over decades of racing experience. This isn’t your average street tire compound. The R2 is designed to heat up quickly, reaching its optimal operating temperature with minimal burnout. This is crucial for drag racing, where a strong launch can make or break your run. A cold tire simply won’t grip as well as a warm one.

While the exact chemical composition of the R2 compound is a closely guarded secret (as it should be!), we can talk about its general characteristics. It’s a relatively soft compound, which, as we discussed, enhances its ability to conform to the road surface. This “stickiness” is what allows the tire to generate impressive traction, even from a standstill. However, this softness also means that the R2 compound will wear faster than a harder, more durable compound found in typical all-season tires. It’s a trade-off: ultimate grip versus long tread life.

Tread Design: More Than Meets the Eye

The tread pattern of the ET Street S/S is another key element in its performance arsenal. It’s a directional pattern, meaning the grooves are angled in a specific direction to efficiently channel water away from the contact patch. This is important for maintaining grip in wet conditions, although it’s crucial to understand that the ET Street S/S is not designed as a dedicated rain tire.

What’s more striking is the minimal tread void. Compared to an all-season tire, the ET Street S/S has significantly less empty space in its tread pattern. This maximizes the amount of rubber in contact with the road, boosting dry traction. Think of it like comparing a slick racing tire (which has no tread at all) to a deeply grooved snow tire. The slick tire has far more contact area and, therefore, far more grip on a dry surface. The ET Street S/S strikes a balance between these extremes, providing enough void to handle occasional wet roads while prioritizing dry grip. The tread depth of this specific tire, P305/35R19, is 6/32 of an inch. This is relatively shallow compared to a standard street tire, further emphasizing its performance focus.

Radial Revolution: Construction Matters

The “Radial” in the ET Street S/S’s name refers to its construction. Unlike older bias-ply tires, where the internal plies run diagonally, radial tires have plies that run perpendicularly across the tire, from bead to bead. The ET Street S/S uses a polyester-ply, steel-belted radial construction.

What are the benefits? Radial construction provides several advantages:

• Improved Handling: Radial tires generally offer better handling and steering response due to their more flexible sidewalls.
• Smoother Ride: The radial design absorbs bumps and road imperfections more effectively, resulting in a more comfortable ride.
• Better Fuel Efficiency: Radial tires typically have lower rolling resistance than bias-ply tires, which can contribute to improved fuel economy.
• Increased Stability: The steel belts provide stability at high speeds, crucial for a tire designed for drag racing.

Beyond the Spec Sheet: Real-World Performance and Considerations

The ET Street S/S is D.O.T. approved for street use, meaning it meets the minimum safety standards set by the Department of Transportation. This allows you to drive your car to the track, unleash its full potential, and then drive it home again, all on the same set of tires.

However, there are important considerations. As mentioned earlier, the soft R2 compound will wear faster than a typical street tire. This is the price you pay for exceptional grip. Also, while the directional tread pattern provides some wet weather capability, the ET Street S/S is not designed for heavy rain or standing water. Hydroplaning (where the tire loses contact with the road due to a layer of water) is a real risk. Prudent driving in wet conditions is essential.

Another critical point is the manufacturer’s warning: DO NOT USE ON DYNO. Dynamometers, used to measure a car’s horsepower and torque, place extreme stress on tires in a stationary setting. The sustained high load and lack of airflow can cause the tire to overheat and potentially fail. This warning is common for high-performance tires designed for real-world driving and racing, where the tire is constantly moving and cooling.

The speed rating for this tire is Y, meaning that the tire can safely handle speeds of up to 186mph. The Load Index is 104, meaning the tire can handle 2260 pounds.

The Competition: How Does the ET Street S/S Stack Up?

The ET Street S/S isn’t alone in the street/strip tire market. Key competitors include the Nitto NT05R and the Hoosier D.O.T. Drag Radial. While a full, instrumented comparison test is beyond the scope of this article, we can make some general observations:

• Nitto NT05R: The NT05R is another popular drag radial known for its excellent dry traction. It’s generally considered a strong competitor to the ET Street S/S, with a similar focus on street/strip performance. Some users report that the NT05R may offer slightly better wet weather performance, but the ET Street S/S may have a slight edge in dry grip.
• Hoosier D.O.T. Drag Radial: The Hoosier is often considered a more track-focused tire, with an even softer compound than the ET Street S/S or NT05R. It may offer superior grip at the drag strip, but it will likely wear faster and be less suitable for extended street use.

The best choice depends on your specific needs and priorities. If you prioritize maximum dry grip and spend most of your time at the track, the Hoosier might be a better option. If you want a more balanced tire with good street manners and still excellent drag strip performance, the ET Street S/S or NT05R are strong contenders.

Living with the ET Street S/S: Practical Tips and Advice

If you choose the ET Street S/S, here are some tips to get the most out of them:

• Tire Pressure: Experiment with different tire pressures to find the optimal setting for your car and driving style. Lower pressures generally provide a larger contact patch and better grip at the drag strip, but higher pressures are recommended for street driving.
• Heat Cycling: New drag radials often benefit from a heat cycling process, which involves gradually heating the tires up and then letting them cool down. This can help to improve their consistency and longevity.
• Regular Inspection: Inspect your tires regularly for signs of wear and tear, such as cuts, bulges, or uneven tread wear.
• Avoid Burnouts (on the Street): While burnouts are necessary at the track to heat up the tires, avoid them on the street. They will significantly shorten the lifespan of your tires.
• Avoid Winter Conditions: The tires are not designed to perform in winter conditions.

The Final Verdict: Is it the Right Tire for You?

The Mickey Thompson ET Street S/S P305/35R19 is a compelling option for enthusiasts seeking a tire that can deliver exceptional performance on both the street and the drag strip. Its R2 compound, optimized tread design, and radial construction work in harmony to provide outstanding grip, handling, and stability. It’s not a tire for everyone, though. If you’re looking for a long-lasting, all-season tire, this isn’t it. But if you’re willing to accept the trade-offs of a softer compound and prioritize performance above all else, the ET Street S/S is a worthy contender for your high-powered machine. It’s a tire that embodies the spirit of Mickey Thompson: innovation, performance, and a relentless pursuit of grip.