Static v.s. Kinetic Friction


Ken Block in his modified 1965 Ford Mustang


Photo From Here

Strategy


Rally drivers avoid skidding on tarmac and concrete surfaces, because it decreases cornering ability, and increases tire wear. A key component of rallying is reliability. When things go wrong at 110 miles per hour going through the forest, they go very wrong. A tire blowout is the last thing a driver wants.

Explanation


The static coefficient of friction is always larger that the kinetic coefficient of friction. The frictional force that moves cars is directly dependent on the magnitude of the coefficient of friction between the tires and the road, so the selection of appropriate tires, and the use of exclusively the static coefficients of friction (not sliding on tarmac) can maximize performance.

Exceptions

Sometimes drivers do not always maintain traction, and this is due to track condition, surfaces, turning radii, and sometimes they are just a result of driver error. For the everyday driver, breaking traction is a very bad thing, but professional World Rally drivers don't always see it that way.