Tire tread

A method for stiffening a tire tread comprising the steps of:

• extending a first circumferential main groove across the tire tread;
• extending a second circumferential main groove across the tire tread;
• circumferentially extending a subgroove across a radially innermost curved bottom surface of the first main groove;
• axially offsetting the subgroove a predetermined amount from a centerline of the first main groove;
• and
• curving a radially innermost surface of the subgroove, the radially innermost surface of the subgroove being radially inside the radially innermost curved bottom surface of the first main groove.

A system for increasing cornering stiffness of a tire tread comprising:

• a first circumferential main groove;
• a second circumferential main groove;
• and
• a stabilizing structure for increasing tread stiffness, the stabilizing structure having a circumferentially extending subgroove in a radially innermost curved bottom of the first main groove, the subgroove being axially offset a predetermined amount from a centerline of the first circumferential main groove.