Best dry traction performance just before tire is worn out? True or False?

[mqin]

Hi Guys,

I was just doing a little reading online and I've come across something that interested me a little. I was just wondering if I could find somebody to clearify a few points with me. It'd be much appreciated!!

First of all I'd like to state that I realize in a realistic everyday world, having the proper tires with more than bare minimum threads left is essential for not only my safety but for every other driver around me. And if anybody's wondering bald tires are extremely dangerous on any kind of wet/snowy conditions since they do not provide the proper groves to allow water to be driven out from underneath the tire while driving under those conditions.

Anyways I read earlier that tires tend to give the best traction performance on dry environments just before it's completely worn out, due to the fact that this is the point where it provides the most surface area contact between the bald tire and the ground, however I also realize that tires typically gets stiffer as time goes on, and once it hardens its ability to grip the ground is dramatically decreased, since it's pretty much no longer good...

Now my questions are:
1) If the tires are still fairly new, however due to excessive or whatever kind of driving to wear them down to that point, will they work similarly as slicks? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe slicks are made of a softer compound for better grip? So ofcorse old wornout hardened tires will not, how about fairly new ones? Maybe from 0111+?

2) Once a tire reaches its wear bar, what will typically happen if it's used to the extreme? Would it just pop? Or slowly leak air out?

3) I realize there is a legal limit on the tread left of tires, 2/32? I think, and again please do correct me if I'm wrong. But will typical autocross events and such allow for the use of those tires given the weather is in an ideal condition?

Thanks for any input! and please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong in anything I have said.