Karting1.co.uk

[xratedkarting]

For some time during 2011 I have been asked if we may be able to use a softer tyre over the Dunlop DCH ones allowing the Aixro to even better lap times, I have resisted due to wear rates and therefore costs.
However a NEW karting idea to echo that like Formula 1 has been put forward. If each driver was allowed to have 2 sets of new dry tyres for race day, ( one being the DCH and the other the much softer DDS) and both set would be marked and each driver MUST use both compounds during the racing day and must also use the same 2 sets of tyres for the next event, would this make the race series even more exciting and keep the costs the same? Please can i hear back if anyone has any other ideas that could be added to this rule.

[kai]

Shall we just call them 'options' and 'primes', then?

Seriously, though, I think it’s a great idea.

Apart from bringing the divergent preferences on tyre compound choices among the drivers together into the best possible way – in the spirit of the driver-led democracy that we enjoy – I agree this promises extra spice.

In the case of an all-wet race meeting the same two sets of dry tyres would obviously just be kept until the next meeting. What if, however, a race day is mixed dry/wet?

Anyway, would this be a world-first in karting, I wonder?

I gather our grids are looking very promising, too, so can't wait!

Meanwhile, let's work out the best way to run this. Let's please also hear from people racing or involved in other series.

[alexp]

I like the idea. I found the wear rate on the DDS to be similar to DCH. Are we allowed to use kers also?

[gd2go]

Anything that makes the race day more interesting & has the backing of the majority of drivers sounds good. One downside is drivers considering "trying / testing" the series may be deterred by the need to buy 2 sets of tyres.
Certainly an idea worthy of serious consideration

[John Savage]

Kart racing is as a great man once said "the purest form of driving" tyre changes will distract from this especially if races are won and lost in the pits.

The fact that each driver would also need a pit crew will add considerably to the costs

If its not the case that changes are to be made during a race then why go for all the extra administration and the possibility of creating considerable discord amongst the drivers

The best idea would be to use a rock hard compound and have one set of tyres for the season, then we would see who is the best driver

If any of you are not finding driving an Aixro "interesting" then may I respectfully suggest that you are not pressing your right foot down hard enough
_________________

Dellorto, Mikuni and Keihin Jetting & Kart Setup Software
www.rotaxjetting.com

[xratedkarting]

I think that the suggestion is not to split races with "pit stops" but to use both compounds throughout the racing day, ie with 3 heats and a final drivers could opt to use the DCH twice and the DDS twice, timed practice and other practice on the day of the races would need to be sorted??
Keep coming up with ideas chaps as this is NEW to all of us, Like the prime and Option idea

[kai]

OK,

I think ‘gd2go’ makes a good point about people ‘giving it a try’. However, that may only concern the occasional hire/driver as I presume any owner/driver keen on racing will do so more than once a season. Besides, a one-race-only owner would still have practice use of both sets of tyres. Hire/drivers might only be charged for one set anyway as that is effectively what they would use in one race.
The difficulty would be coordinating with the cycle of brand-new vs. part-worn tyres used in a given meeting.

[lupetto]

Hi guys,

I could ask a lot of questions on how this should be implemented, but I'll rather bring up my opinion as part of the discussion.
I think it’s an interesting idea especially when a race can otherwise be boring. That’s why they change tyres in 2-hour F1 races. And with unlimited resources it could be fun to have different tyres between heats on a karting race weekend as well.
But there is enough tactics in the tyres anyway, especially if they are soft enough. With the setup, air pressure, etc. the driver can decide if he wants full grip instantly, or if he wants to pick up speed towards the end of the race. Also he needs to think about his driving during a race, so he has some grip left when he needs it.

Therefore I'd rather go for a medium tyre and put that right foot down

[lupetto]

[kai]

Pah, I’m still waiting for a nice diesel kart engine to come along, with a big turbocharger of course.

Any more suggestions on tyre rules?

Doesn’t KZ run DDM/DEM now? What is their experience with those, I wonder?

[Latestarter]

What sort of lap time difference would you expect between the different tyres?
Tim

[Latestarter]

Sorry,just noticed Kai's 2 secs difference in an earlier post and I agree that anything that may cause confusion in the ranks is best avoided as the good spirit in the paddock is a huge plus. As a compromise, put Jurgen and Bjorn on hard tyres and let every one else run soft.
Tim

[Antoine]

A. We could have 4 sets of soft and 4 sets of hard for the season, to be used as we want

Or

B. Same as above but for a race meeting: 2 heats on hard, 1 heat on soft - driver to choose which heat he want to use the soft. Final on soft.

For each meeting we use a new set anyway so introducing the soft tyres with a limitation of 1 new tyres per meeting would not increase the cost.

I am personnaly interesting by soft tyres, not necessarily because of laptimes but because of the driving experience.

[alexp]

[Antoine]

Indeed you need to change the set up - I think you want harder chassis with soft tyres and vise versa. However it is hard to give general rules of karting set up as they are so much variables (driver style, chassis make, etc...).

I think the most important thing with soft tyres is: get the pressure right or you are going to destroy them in no time. (9psi cold is good starting point).