Abstract: Improved tires designed for use in an improved tire/vehicle system having two pneumatic front tires and two pneumatic rear tires are provided. The improved tire/vehicle system is especially effective on wet road surfaces. The front tire treads are each divided circumferentially into first, second, and third zones. The rear tire treads are divided circumferentially into four zones. Both the front and rear tires have tread groove patterns that are asymmetric and are especially configured for tires having negative camber.

Abstract: A tubeless inner tire or shield 14 provides for easy assembly of the shield 14 into the outer tire 12 and over the rim 16 as compared to previous designs. The beads 43 in the shield comprise stranded filaments and the bead portion 40,42 of the shield 14 has increased flexibility. The increased flexibility of the bead portion 40,42 eliminates kinking of the shield 14 upon assembly which could prevent the shield 14 from properly sealing against the rim 16. Air passageways 44 between the inner shield 14 and outer tire 12 are provided on the shield 14 near the bead portion 42. The air passageway 44 includes a protrusion 50 extending from the surface of the shield and has an inclined radially inner surface 58. The inner surface 58 is inclined at an angle of 25.degree. to 60.degree. relative to a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the inner shield 14.