Traction compound is almost a "must" if it is allowed. Then tire compound depends on what surface and what compound(s) is/are allowed.

Most succinct explanation of Jaco compounds I've seen is attached. I took it from the BMI site. btw the BMI cars have an optional aluminum spacer that "automatically" sets your rear width and centers the axle with Jaco tires. Well worth the nominal cost not to have to fumble around with stacks of shims.

As far as lane widths...10' is actually REALLY wide for 1/12, usually only found if folks are running both 1/10 AND 1/12 cars. 8' seems to be pretty standard (maybe with a 10' straight as I've seen on the Cleveland track a couple times). I've run on 6' lanes at our sister club in Great Falls, MT and let me tell you there is NOTHING like running in a 4 car freight train for 5-6 minutes each car waiting for the car in front to make a mistake and pounce. I'm shaking every time I climb off the stand there. It teaches PATIENCE and SMOOTHNESS. Those guys clean our clocks every time we go there. Heck, a couple of 'em clean our clocks every time they come HERE anymore. It's probably like practicing billiards on a 9' table and then going to play on the standard 7' or 7.5' bar tables--you look like a shark.