It’s somewhere deep in the desolate reaches of the Baja California Desert that the battle between man and machine reaches its apex. At 105 mph, half a football field of desert sand passes beneath the tires each and every second, as the 555 cubic inch 1000 horsepower V8 engine powers past 7500 rpms. The desert is violent. There’s no discharge in the scorching heat. This is the origin story of the MT tire segment.
As the bombs fell in the Pacific Theater on places like Saipan and Guadalcanal, a U.S. Marine named Ed Pearlman was stationed in Guam during World War II. Morale among U.S. troops was low because war is hell. As a way of lifting their spirits, Pearlman organized Jeep races on the 210-square-mile island. And just like that, an American obsession was born.
After the war, Pearlman purchased an Army surplus Jeep and set off to explore the Baja Peninsula, looking for good fishing spots along the way. Shortly thereafter, he co-created the National Off-Road Racing Association. In 1967, the Mexican 1000 off-road race started in Tijuana and ended some 849 miles later in La Paz. This race would later become known simply as The Baja 1000, which many believe is the most grueling off-road motor race on planet Earth.
The race attracted new participants with names you probably already know. Motorsport icons like Mickey Thompson and Parnelli Jones. The latter would go on to win nearly every major North American auto race from the Indy 500 and the Pikes Peak Hill Climb to The Mint 400 and even The Baja 1000 (twice).
Blazing Beasts
In the mid-1970s, an off-road beast was born. Brainchild of both Chevrolet and Parnelli Jones, the BFG Blazer was revolutionary for its day. Its 5.7L small-block V8 put down more power in the desert than it could use on many sections. In many ways, the BFG Blazer was the predecessor of the trophy trucks that power through the Baja today. The trailblazer before there was even a trail to blaze.
In 1979, BFGoodrich acquired the “BFG Blazers”. It fitted them with the unique 3-ply carcass of the second generation BFG All-Terrain T/A. With power, traction, and toughness, the team started piling up wins. The team applied those lessons from the desert. The team began development of what would become the world’s very first radial mud-terrain tire, the BFG Mud-Terrain T/A. The rest, as they say, is history.
Walking the Walk in the MT Tire Segment
Today, BFGoodrich is still busy applying lessons learned in the desert to its latest and greatest MT tire segment offerings.
“Part of the mud-terrain segment is where pure off-road enthusiasts go to find the right tires for their extreme off-road needs,” says BFGoodrich Off-Road Product Manager, Brandon Sturgis. “Here at BFGoodrich, we target this consumer and really enjoy designing a tire for this segment that meets the form and function needs of these consumers.”
And it’s at this intersection where aggressive looks and off-road capability meet that the truly great distinguish themselves from the merely good. According to Sturgis, “we see that our customers are mainly interested in two performance aspects, toughness and traction.”
Toughness like the new BFGoodrich KM3 Moab Edition, which includes a new tread compound for improved rock crawling traction and durability. The tire is currently available in two 42-in. sizes with another 40” size on the way.
Pavement Princess or High Performance Machinery
For any tire guy or gal worth their salt, you already know that not every consumer is looking for the latest and greatest 42 in. tire, designed specifically to crawl the canyonlands of Moab.
According to Continental’s Light truck Off-Road Product Manager, Barry Terzaken, “The MT segment has splintered into sub-segments. There are cosmetic buyers, who are less focused on off-road capability, but desire the rugged and robust look of a traditional MT line. Aggressive AT (all-terrain) and RT (rugged terrain) lines are best for these consumers,” says Terzaken. “True MT consumers have refined to a more focused, enthusiast base.”
That makes sense because some consumers focus more on talking the talk than on walking the walk. In other words, determine how that Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with the 470 HP 6.4L Hemi V8 will spend next weekend. Will it cruise Main Street or power the trails? That decision determines which tire best suits that particular Jeep owner.
Perhaps nobody says it better than Continental’s Terzaken, “Much like an ultra-high performance tire for a sports car, an MT tire is engineered for the extraordinary challenges of extreme off-roading. Durability and robustness with the capability of delivering grip for a vast variety of terrain, while surviving grueling conditions define the requirements for an MT tire.”
Leading UHP tires need a large contact patch and short braking distances. In contrast, the success formula for class-leading MT tires requires something else entirely. And for the sake of easy math, let’s call them two T’s: Traction and toughness. And for the sake of easy math, let’s call them two T’s: Traction and toughness. The first derives from an optimized ratio of tread blocks and tread void areas. The yin and the yang of traction. This is critical because blocks and void areas let leading MT tires evacuate mud from the tread face. They work as the tire spins.
According to Yokohama’s Manager of Product Planning, Kevin Nguyen, toughness comes from “.. 3-ply sidewalls, a full nylon cap, and a high turn-up carcass that assures merciless traction and reliable protection.” Because when the trail gets tough, the only answer is ruthless traction. And maybe it’s just me, but I find solace in that.
The MT Tire Segment and the Trust Edge
Which is precisely why qualifying the customer becomes so important in order to excel in the MT tire segment. According to Yokohama’s Nguyen, “Understanding the MT tire market equips the average independent dealer with a competitive edge in several crucial ways. Being knowledgeable not only builds trust with customers, but also helps tailor recommendations for enthusiasts who may range from serious off-roaders to weekend adventurers.”
So, the next time a lifted Ford Bronco Black Diamond Edition pulls in, ask how the customer uses their vehicle. And, don’t forget to ask about their expectations for their rubber.
Because what began all those years ago in the Baja continues today with you and me. From Jeep races in the Pacific Theater of World War 2 to those grueling desert miles in Mexico and even the casual offroad weekend adventure, there’s a mud terrain tire for the job.
Or in the words of off-road racing icon Parnelli Jones himself, “If you’re in control, you’re not going fast enough.” Now is your time to take control.
