Excess stagger causes higher than average tire loading on the inside edge of the right rear and outside edge of the left rear tires. Excess stagger can lead to tire blistering, loss of traction, and tire failure.
It is easy to diagnose as a crew member. Use a pyrometer to read the tire temps across the contact patch. You can use your hand to feel temperature variance if a pyrometer is unavailable. If the inside two tread blocks of the right rear tire are at a higher temperature than the following two tread blocks, then an adjustment is needed.
Your adjustment options depend on the rules of the event.
There are several options to adjust if allowed.
- Control the pressure buildup in the tire by tire bleeders and or Nitrogen.
- Increase cooling airflow through the wheel with a vented mud cover and remove any tire foam in the wheels.
- Decrease rubber surface area by cutting, drilling, or dip grooving the affected tread blocks.
- Run a harder tire compound. If a harder compound is not available, run a heat-cycled tire.
- Reduce stagger and spread the tire load evenly across the contact patch.
