If you have ever wished that you were just a bit taller, you can appreciate this item. Starting at Sebring, the Michelin ALMS technical partner GT teams from Flying Lizard Porsche, Corvette Racing and the Extreme Speed Motorsports Ferraris, will all race new 1.2 inch  (3cm) taller front MICHELIN^® tires in 2012.

New cars and new rules for 2012 provide an opportunity to explore new tire dimensions. “Designers and car-makers come to Michelin earlier and earlier in the design phase to help identify the ideal tire dimensions and performance priorities,” said Karl Koenigstein, Michelin North America motorsports technical team leader. “It takes time to consider new dimensions, create designs and constructions, run simulations, and produce a new size. From the team view, new dimensions, especially taller tires, require adjustments in suspension set-ups to compensate for the increased ride height of the taller front tire.”

While wider tires mean more contact with the road and increased grip, slightly taller tires can handle more energy, lengthen the contact patch under braking and help extend tire wear by spreading the load over a greater area. The taller tires also help broaden the range for car set-ups, according to Michelin.