Winter Tire Talk: What's This Modification?

[CirrusSR22]

Came across this on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqsgIb9z12Y Apparently he's epoxying little rubber strips into the sipe openings for better ice traction? I'm guessing this keeps the sipe "open". Anyone seen or heard of this before? Anyone know Japanese? :D

A couple more related videos, one (poorly) showing better ice performance of the modified tire.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJgGIQSPtTA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgq9VIQRcYA&feature=related

[mryakan]

I think that is tire studding. It is very effective and is used in WRC during snowy race events. However, studded tires are illegal in many states and provinces (though that might apply to metal studding not rubber studding as in this example), so check your local regulation before doing such a thing.

[Jim@tirerack]

He is using something to work as studs. I am not sure how they are going to stay in the rubber. Tires that are studdable are made to be studded.