Thought I'd get people's thoughts on a controversial topic... tyre treatment.
Should we be allowed to use it, at least on our practice tyres (provided we dont exceed the manufacturers specified durometer reading)? Given tyres are the major cost, would it be worthwhile to try and extend the tyre's useable life rather than just 1-2 meets?
Should we be allowed to use it, at least on our practice tyres (provided we dont exceed the manufacturers specified durometer reading)? Given tyres are the major cost, would it be worthwhile to try and extend the tyre's useable life rather than just 1-2 meets?
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A big can of worms that one.................you'd have people using "special tyres" at every meet..... plus I am pretty sure tyre treatment is a no go zone because it has the potential to rip up tracks using Hotmix etc... !!!!
Hi Pete,
On SL-1's, occasionally you can indeed get a good few meets out of them (sometimes not, too). Unfortunately, on MG Reds or better that's just not, and NEVER is, the case. There is no doubt that a brand new set of reds is 2 tenths better than a lightly used set, which are another 2 tenths better than a "well used" set. I've always gone by a golden rule when you are 8 or more tenths off the pace, and no changes seem to be working - one of the following is wrong, and MUST be rectified to fix it (in order of probability):
1. The tyres are crap. Put new ones on.
2. The seat's in the wrong spot. Move it (or replace it with one that isn't broken).
3. The chassis is bent/broken/twisted/crabbed - fix or replace it.
That checklist ALWAYS works when you're way off, and can't find any time. And I'd wager that 75% of the time (or more) a new set of tyres is the cure. So basically, if you want to be competitive, you have to spend $250 bucks. Of course, if you could treat your tyres, you'd be spending what, ten bucks at most to freshen up a set?
This would be IDEAL for club-day and small opens. Then, at big meetings make the rule that you can't treat your "pool" set of tyres. (only problem with this idea - can old treated rubber on the track contaminate a new non-treated tyre so the sniffer thinks it's treated?). If this is non policeable, I say just let the doors wide open and allow people to use ANYTHING. That way there's no such thing as cheating! =)
I've also never been told with conviction by anyone that sounds like they know what they are talking about, that tyre treatment damages race tracks. Most of the time it's mentioned in a similar way to how Steve has before, he's "pretty sure" there's "potential"... I'm guessing that means it's what's you've been told by someone Steve? I've been told many times that this is the case, but never by anyone who claimed to know how or why this could happen, only by people who also had "been told".
The greatest thing for karting in a recession would be.... TYRE TREATMENT!
All the tyre treatments I'm aware of (acetone, kerosene, methyl salicylate) are volatile. They'd evaporate pretty quickly from the track surface, and even if they didnt, they'd evaporate pretty quickly from any tyre that went over any residual amount.
Col Fink said:can old treated rubber on the track contaminate a new non-treated tyre so the sniffer thinks it's treated
have you noticed whether the amount of performance drop-off is dependent on the starting compound? in my experience, SL1s are useful for ages, Reds 4-8 outings, but Yellows, you can still have half your tread left and be losing anywhere up to 1sec or more.
Col Fink said:I'd wager that 75% of the time (or more) a new set of tyres is the cure
reds go after 2 meets. mabye 3 if your nice to your tyres(im talking about competitive times).
otherwise reds will last ages for practice.
yellows go after 1 meet. some squeeze 2 meets out of them, buyt by the 3rd meet/practice you can be over 1 sec slower!!!
We banned it recently in New Zealand - even though someone got caught by a sniffer trying to use it at our Nationals and was withdrawn from the meeting. (Allegedly used - protecting myself legally here.) Tyre treatment on a tyre harder than the Mojo D2 yet softer than an MG Red is worth upwards of 6 tenths of a second. At the 2008 Nationals it was worth a second and a half, though only if you had the 'right' treatment. IMO just let sleeping dogs lie as it will cause you less headaches in the long run.
It might be expensive for a new set, but in the long run it is fairer on everyone else.....
=(