4.5/28-17 M&H Racemaster Blackwall Drag Tire
M&H Racemaster engineered the first purpose built drag racing tire back in the 1950s and still makes highly competitive tires for multiple drag racing and street applications. These bias ply M&H Front Runner tires offer light weight and reduced rolling resistance to help give you the edge against the competition. Coker Tire Company offers M&H drag front tires for 15-, 16- and 17-inch front runner wheels. Radial front runner tires are also available. Made in USA!
Blackwall Tire
Since the introduction of carbon black rocked the tire industry, the original recipe for most tires has been a solid black sidewall. For classics and collector cars alike, it's hard to beat the no-nonsense appeal of a classic blackwall style tire. British sports car, classic truck and even hot rod enthusiasts love the way a nice period correct blackwall tire looks on their vehicles.
Bias Ply Construction
Bias ply tire construction is a method that was used from the 1900's through the 1970's on passenger cars and light trucks. Bias ply tires feature ply cords that run at a 45 degree angle to the bead, and overlap in a crisscross pattern, depending on how many ply layers are used. This creates a strong tire, but bias ply tires have a tendency to follow breaks or ruts in the pavement. Bias ply tires are the most authentic choice for classic car restorations and traditional hot rod builds. Coker Tire offers a huge variety of bias ply tires for many applications.
M&H Racemaster Drag Race Tires
The M&H Racemaster tire brand has deep roots in the drag racing world, and offers numerous modern drag racing tires, from DOT approved drag radials to 17 " front runner tires for use on modern muscle cars with big brakes. M&H Racemaster also offers period correct slicks for Nostalgia Super Stock cars, Nostalgia Funny Cars, Nostalgia Top Fuel Dragsters, gassers, hot rods and much more.
Please Note
- Tire mounted on wheel for demonstration purposes only. Wheel and other accessories are not included. Please note that dimensions listed (tread width, section width and overall diameter) are non-scientific and based on an inflated tire, mounted to a wheel. Dimensions may vary due to rim width and inflation pressure.
| SKU | MSS024 |
|---|---|
| Weight | 16.800000 |
| DOT Certified | DOT Certified |
| Brand | M&H Racemaster |
| Drag Front Sizes | 4.5/28-17 |
| Tire Series | Front Runner |
| Rim Diameter | 17 inch |
| Tire Construction | Bias Ply |
| Sidewall Style | Blackwall |
| Drag Tire Type | Front Runner |
| Circumference | 88.0 |
| Product Size | 4.5/28-17 |
| Section Width (IN) | 6.3 |
| Rim Width (in) | 4 |
| Availability Date | 2026-05-29T00:00:00Z |
4.5/28-17 M&H Racemaster Blackwall Bias Ply Drag Tire
Frequently Asked Questions
Fitment & Compatibility â–¼
What final fitment checks should buyers complete before ordering the M&H Bias Ply Front Runner 4.5/28-17? â–¼
Before ordering the M&H Bias Ply Front Runner 4.5/28-17, buyers should confirm 17-inch wheel diameter, front wheel width suitability, brake clearance, fender clearance, and steering clearance. The product page does not list a specific approved rim width range, so wheel compatibility should be verified before installation.
Buyers should also compare the 28-inch overall diameter with the current front tire height. A taller or shorter front tire can change stance, front-end height, and speedometer behavior if the front tire signal affects the vehicle. Custom drag setups should be measured carefully rather than matched by size label alone.
Tire Size Equivalents & Conversions â–¼
How should buyers compare the M&H Bias Ply Front Runner 4.5/28-17 with current front tires? â–¼
Buyers should compare the M&H Bias Ply Front Runner 4.5/28-17 by overall diameter, mounted width, wheel size, and intended use. The most important starting point is the 17-inch wheel requirement and the approximate 28-inch tire height. These two details determine whether the tire can physically suit the wheel and stance.
The existing front tire should be measured or checked from its sidewall specs. If the current front tire is shorter, the M&H Bias Ply Front Runner 4.5/28-17 may raise the front end. If the current tire is wider, steering effort and contact patch behavior may change.
Will the M&H Bias Ply Front Runner 4.5/28-17 affect speedometer accuracy? â–¼
The M&H Bias Ply Front Runner 4.5/28-17 can affect speedometer accuracy if the vehicle’s speed signal depends on front tire rotation. The approximate 28-inch overall diameter should be compared with the current front tire diameter to estimate any change in indicated speed.
Many drag cars and older vehicles may use drivetrain-based speed sensing, so the front tire may not always control the speedometer. Still, tire diameter affects rollout and vehicle behavior. Buyers should compare actual mounted diameter because the product page notes that dimensions can vary with rim width and inflation pressure.
Performance & Use Case â–¼
How will the M&H Bias Ply Front Runner 4.5/28-17 perform in drag racing use? â–¼
The M&H Bias Ply Front Runner 4.5/28-17 is built for drag racing front-end use, where low weight and reduced rolling resistance are important. The product page states that these bias ply M&H Front Runner tires are intended to help provide an edge against competition by reducing rolling resistance.
The tire is best understood as a purpose-focused front tire, not a broad all-around performance tire. It supports straight-line drag racing priorities, especially when paired with the correct rear tire and wheel package. Buyers should choose the M&H Bias Ply Front Runner 4.5/28-17 for drag use first.
How does the M&H Bias Ply Front Runner 4.5/28-17 affect steering effort? â–¼
The M&H Bias Ply Front Runner 4.5/28-17 can reduce steering effort compared with a wider front tire because the narrow contact patch creates less scrub at the road surface. This can be useful on manual steering drag cars, hot rods, and front-runner race setups.
Steering feel may also become more sensitive to alignment, inflation pressure, and road surface. Because the tire uses bias ply construction, it may track differently than a radial tire at speed. Buyers should expect light straight-line behavior but should not expect modern, wide-tire cornering response.
Construction, Durability & Load Capacity â–¼
What does bias ply construction mean for the M&H Bias Ply Front Runner 4.5/28-17? â–¼
The M&H Bias Ply Front Runner 4.5/28-17 uses bias ply construction, meaning the internal ply cords run diagonally and overlap in a crisscross pattern. The PDP explains that this construction was common on passenger cars and light trucks from the early 1900s through the 1970s.
For this product, bias ply construction supports a traditional drag racing front runner feel. It can be strong and period-correct in character, but it may follow road ruts more than a radial tire. Buyers should expect authentic bias behavior rather than modern radial smoothness.
Is the M&H Bias Ply Front Runner 4.5/28-17 durable enough for regular street driving? â–¼
The M&H Bias Ply Front Runner 4.5/28-17 i positioned as a drag racing front runner, not as a regular street commuting tire. While M&H offers drag racing and street applications across the brand, this specific product description emphasizes competition use, light weight, and reduced rolling resistance.
Regular street driving adds different demands, including potholes, rain, long heat cycles, braking events, and uneven pavement. Buyers planning frequent street miles should verify DOT status, load capacity, speed suitability, and handling expectations before using the M&H Bias Ply Front Runner 4.5/28-17 beyond track-focused use.
Installation & Maintenance â–¼
What ownership habits help the M&H Bias Ply Front Runner 4.5/28-17 perform consistently? â–¼
Consistent ownership habits for the M&H Bias Ply Front Runner 4.5/28-17 include checking air pressure before use, inspecting for damage, monitoring wear, and confirming that the tire has not developed vibration or tracking issues. These checks matter because drag front runners operate in a focused performance role.
Owners should also keep records of pressure settings, passes, road miles, and any alignment changes. Since mounted dimensions can vary with pressure and wheel setup, repeatable maintenance helps preserve predictable behavior. The M&H Bias Ply Front Runner 4.5/28-17 should be treated as a performance component, not a set-and-forget street tire.
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