On a race track, you're on a predictable, smooth track with no unexpected events (hopefully). you are prepared to sacrifice a great deal for speed and you want maximum ultimate grip so wider tyres will help that. But on the road, you need to deal with a more complex set of factors, not the least of which is steering feel and agility. You also have to accept that you can't dodge the laws of physics. If a tyre loses grip, then the car will start sliding and you'll slide until you stop or slow down enough to regain grip or hit something. On a racetrack, you'll see the first two, but on the road it'll be the last almost every time.
I would have added that on a race track, the support infrastructure
and a pint are mere meters away. Yet so many of us road-going owners adopt modifications that only make sense for a race track rather than tweak our trads for the venues we use. We do not mog on racing surfaces,where there is no slow traffic and a fully equipped paddock at hand. Frankly, though I very much enjoy being pitcrew, I much prefer mogging country back roads.
30 years ago, when I learned about camshafts and their effect, I asked John Sheally, the famous racer, to advise me on which to buy. He mildly replied by asking which type of roads I liked the most and that I should choose accordingly for all components.
L.
