A few years ago, I had a work assignment that had me with full pit access to the Indy 500. I can't remember which tire manufacture had the deal, Firestone maybe??, but all cars ran on the same manufacture's tire. They were extremely friendly with sharing information, and it was with a bit of pride, but they told me that there hasn't been a wreck due to tire failures in a really long time. The tires have become that good. After every tire change, the pit crews take readings from the tires, and set them aside to be examined later.
Unfortunately for NASA, I think this really long time was after the designs of the shuttles. But you gotta think that some racing slicks on the shuttle would have been pure awesomeness
Unfortunately for NASA, I think this really long time was after the designs of the shuttles. But you gotta think that some racing slicks on the shuttle would have been pure awesomeness