For road racing grip is related to the rubber compound. Many tread patterns that you see are usually not needed for road tires (i.e. the tread pattern on GP4K).

I love the way the continental GP4Ks corner. Gatorskins are nice for commuting/winter roads but they don't feel as nice cornering and are a bit harsher to me. Doubt my race results would drastically change with the tires I buy though.