Warbird

Dear all,

Just a quick question on racing during winter in US and Europe, is that majority of the racing is indoor carpet track? What tires are the most popular choices?

Cheers

BrodieMan

iTrader: (3)

Spec tires seem to be very common at most tracks so I would check with the club you plan on racing at. From what I've read on RCTECH, Sorex have become very popular. Jaco's have a great reputation but I can never find them in stock. I've been using Muchmore Absolute 32* as the spec tire for my club with great results, no broken rims or any failures at all plus they are always in stock at Tower. Apparently Muchmore rims are weak but I have not had any evidence of that. Sweeps have apparently increased greatly in quality. Solaris is another winner.

Hope that helps a bit

Warbird

Thank you for information, much appreciated!

BrodieMan

iTrader: (3)

I raced at a track with wood barriers today and my Muchmores fell apart from a couple minor wall taps. On my track they hold up fine but we have really flexible vinyl barriers. They have good traction though. Tried out some of the new Schumachers/Sorex XG-32 BM today and held up to a few wall taps just fine but they are expensive. I'm ordering some Sweep Real Blues to test out for a spec tire, been hearing good things and the price is great.

From everyone I talk to, Jaco Blues are awesome but finding them seems to be impossible.

HPI Gumballs are garbage. I gave them away after one meet.

Warbird

Thanks, so for carpet surface the lower temp rating tires are the go? If I assume that is because it is indoor and carpet dose not retain heat as much as asphalt?

It that case a thinner insert is also a better choice for carpet racing?

Cheers

BrodieMan

iTrader: (3)

I've only been running on-road for just under a year so I am not overly knowledgeable on tires, especially inserts as I buy pre-mounts. On carpet you want harder compound tires 30 - 36* as the high traction from the abrasive surface heats the tires up really quick and keeps them hot. Tires for hot weather asphalt & carpet are usually around the same "degree".

After lots of research I'm going with Sweep Racing Real Blues as my clubs Spec Tire. Jilles Groskamp has just joined the team so if Sweep tires have Jilles endorsement, the should work just fine for my little club.

CarbonJoe

Sweep QTS-32 True Blue tires were the spec tires at the Halloween Classic, Indoor Champs, and Midwest Grand Slam last year, and look to be the same this year. Most of the local racers have converted to them from Jacos and Solaris.

tc3team

I like the sorex 28 indoors, but really it depends on what tyre the series decides on.

Buckaroo

iTrader: (3)

Indoor racing on carpet at my track. Although some guys are running things like Jaco Blues (when available), Solaris softs/mediums, and Muchmore 24/28, the overwhelming favorite is Sorex 24s. Paragon is our tire treatment of choice.

Warbird

Great thanks, so more towards a softer compound, right? So it will generate heat a lot faster, and it is a good carpet choice, right?

HarryLeach

There's a bit more to it.

Age of the carpet, average turnout on race days, traction compound used, temperature of the track, all those factor in to the ideal tire compound.

If the track gets real cold, a soft tire will have more grip.

If the track has 40+ guys every race day, you might need a harder tire to free the car up for corner speed.

If the carpet is fairly new, again, higher traction, so a harder tire will probably carry more corner speed.

If there's predominantly only one traction compound in use, traction can raise during the day. If there's a mix, then there's a chance nobody will have traction.


Best bet is to ask the guys you're going to be racing with what the tires of choice and/or spec tire is.

theatriks

iTrader: (8)

you use muchmore 32s for carpet....i thought the 24s were suited more for carpet?

HarryLeach

Usually when a track specs a tire, they go with a harder tire for longer wear, thus fewer sets required to finish a season.

With open tires, you could just change compounds through the day to maintain the same handling and speed.

With a spec tire, you have to stay on top of your chassis adjustments to stay [or get] fast.

theatriks

iTrader: (8)

what is a spec tire ....at my club we can use any tire we want except for tcs sooo i dont know what u mean by that

HarryLeach

Spec tire means either the track, or the club has decided that everyone is only allowed to use one tire brand and compound.

If you can use any tire you want [except TCS], your club has an OPEN tire rule, no restrictions.