Tire selection question.
 

I have a question in regard to tire selection for a hardpacked track that is watered and has a little fluff on top from running.The track is not all clay.Its actually has a small percentage of clay,more sand and other aggregate and native soil.We usually run the track dry/swept in good/warm weather because it packs so well and has decent traction.We are getting into our winter season and we won't be able to run it dry so obviously the tire selection will have to change. I have tried Holeshots in m3 which worked ok.Some have tried x-3000's in red and taper in front.I need suggestions for these track conditions for 2wd/4wd and truck.Thanks in advance!

Anyone?:D

ill throw out the..."run what other people are running" comment.

also, check losi's tire chart out on their site...

I am the guy the local guys are looking to for the info.Our track is relatively new and so here I am doing a little research.Losi's tire chart is slightly helpful,but not the definitive chart.Thanks for the suggestion though.Anyone else?

If the track is pretty well packed/smooth I would start with a taper pin. If it's somewhat abrasive because of the sand/dirt reds would last longer, but if its clay like we have in the midwest, probably won't work. Silvers might be the ticket, but it really depends on the dirt for what compound. Here on clay-based tracks we use pink compound. If reds don't work at all, I would bet it is a pink track.

If the track isn't as smooth x-2000s or 3000s might be better, but if any sort of line sorts out a taper pin might be better again.
Front tires are really experimental, sometimes taper pins steer more, sometimes less.

Truck tires I would say for whatever compound run tapers front/rear as a starting point.

Thanks Dan.The track really gets fluffy and is moist but the base is still hard packed.Tapers should still work you think?

Truck tires I am more confident about, they work on a wider range of conditions than 2wd. Even then, the lower profile tires might surprise you. It is not a science by any means. Tire combos can be the most frustrating thing, and all anyone here can do is say "this is my favorite tire" because we aren't there trying it for you. Really, just go out and try it, some combinations might work when you think they wouldn't.
good luck, have fun.

Have you thought about using the same tire and use a different foam?

Example: Holeshot M3 with a soft foam working on medium bite slightly dusty track and maybe a bomb 1 or 2 stage foam for the damp track with more bite???

With fluff on top and hard on the base run a Losi red ifmar pin. Holeshots will work if it more like dust on the top and hard. X-2000 work well on a track that is broken up. Another tire to try would be bow ties. They work pretty good in this condition but a ifmar pin will be a faster tire.

Thanks guys....Casper,what kind of front tire for 4wd then?

agree on ifmar pin, if it gets bumpy, go with the big shot.

For front tires, cut a set of ifmar pins and give those a go. Too bad they don't make them in fronts anymore.

You could also try some worn ifmar studs. I have seen those work well where ifmar pins work if they have alittle wear on them.

Yeah I forgot. I heard somewhere ifmar pins may be discontinued but the big shots are basically the same tire with a different caucus design. Same pins though.

You can cut down a set of big shots for the front. Not hard to do but does take some time. You can run holeshot fronts. You could go very agressive and run stud fronts as well. It is too bad there are not enough options for 4wd front tires. If you are running 4wd and the track is wet then holeshots all around should work great.

You could see what Schumacher has for tires too. I think they have a pin type tread similar to a ifmar pin.

Another tire that I liked that worked in changing surfaces were proline m3 step pins front and rear. The design on them doesn't lend them to good duty from what I experienced for traditional step pins like a losi, but they would hook up nice when I needed something between an ifmar pin and ifmar stud, especially if you hit sections that were clear of fluff and hard. Of course, ran losi foam in all tires.

I think Casper nailed it for buggy on a fluffy track. Ifmars and Bow Ties work well for truck also. I personally like Losi Studs for truck in these conditions.

Shawn

on my local track when there is a lil fluff we use the holeshots on truck, buggy, and 4wd as well. these tires usually give us a good all around feel.