Question about this cotton picken tire game

[Fastwood01]

We basically was running your Saturday night local races. Just wipe your tires deep and roll. Well last couple of years we started venturing out to your bigger races and it's a whole different ballgame. You here people say "well you need lets say a 4 week old tire rolled 60 cc" etc, etc. My question is. Just I need a 4 week old tire or say 3 month old tire etc,etc. Are you rolling the tires first then setting them up for that period of time or do you wait closer to race time to roll? Hope this makes sense and thanks.

 

[SoCo Tire Treatments]

Need tires of all ages, usually something like a fresh roll, week scuff, 2 week scuff, month scuff, and older, with multiple.
As for when to roll, each person does it different, i do a bit of both, depending what i want from the tire and where im racing.

 

[ONEHARDHEAD]

There's your answer. Earl just told you why there is such a difference in the "have's" and the "have-not's". Tires have become such a specialty now that the average hobbist racer is hard-pressed to keep up with it. It's also why specialists such as Mr. Mewhorter and others are in such high demand. It's a long learning curve and to get "instant" results, it's a good option for some to hire such experienced help.

 

[Fastwood01]

Thanks. The reason I was asking about the rolling. I talk to people and they say they reroll tires after a certain amount of weeks and was wondering when the best time to roll them for certain races. Example.. Neeses is 3 weeks away have tires because here say is you need about a month old low rubber tire but no info on when to roll them. Track gets ton of bite during the day. Roll now or wait?

 

[jsstump#70]

Roll now or wait?

Short answer is Yes, No and Maybe. There is NO way to know. That is the reason tire specialist exist. The temperature of the track, of the air, the humidity and of course the moisture content of the track all will determine what is needed, not to mention the individual kart set up and driver preference. There is no one right way to treat tires. What works today may be junk next time because of a hundred other factors. You also must consider this, lets say you invest thousands into different tire sets and an extensive treatment program. You show up with dozens of sets all treated at different times and different ways. You have potentially ever possible tire combo covered. I ask you, how do you know which ones to run? There is not enough practice time available and the track changes all day. My point is, as complicated and magical as the tire treatment game is, reading the track and anticipating changes is just as complicated and magical. Way too many things to consider other than to treat now or later. I say treat now and free up some time to correct all those little things that pop up later. If you let it, overly worrying about this (and other stuff) will rob you of any enjoyment karting had to offer you. Treat now (or later) then go out and give it the best effort you can and try and enjoy the competition, fellowship and experience. Good luck.

 

[Ted Hamilton]

IMO, if you don't want to take the time to learn, or don't have the space / machines to prep tires, perhaps it makes sense to pay for a tire specialist.
Otherwise, I'd find a simple prep program, test it at your local track, taking notes, and doing practice days too...then apply at a higher level. If you are loyal to a certain brand and dealer, they'll usually help you out, as will plenty of friendly racers (until you start beating them.)

I ran a set of new tires on my unlimited, no prep, and was mid pack... I then prepped them with the only prep I had and ran as good as any on handling...(was down on power due to small engine...)

After all, the specialists got there just like any one else -- one step at at time.

 

[SoCo Tire Treatments]

Thanks. The reason I was asking about the rolling. I talk to people and they say they reroll tires after a certain amount of weeks and was wondering when the best time to roll them for certain races. Example.. Neeses is 3 weeks away have tires because here say is you need about a month old low rubber tire but no info on when to roll them. Track gets ton of bite during the day. Roll now or wait?

Neeses is going to take an older tire once the track gets sealed over. That means a 2014 tire more than likely. Id say around week 30.
At times its 3-6 month rolled tires, sometimes its more recently rolled tires.
You never know which until things get going and see what the track wants.

 

[SoCo Tire Treatments]

Thanks. The reason I was asking about the rolling. I talk to people and they say they reroll tires after a certain amount of weeks and was wondering when the best time to roll them for certain races. Example.. Neeses is 3 weeks away have tires because here say is you need about a month old low rubber tire but no info on when to roll them. Track gets ton of bite during the day. Roll now or wait?

This will more than likely depend on what has been used internally, and the amount that was used.
With my internal, if im going somewhere that i think is good, like Neeses, ill keep my older rolled sets and not re roll. Lets say im going to Saint Matthews, its usually nowhere near as hard biting as Neeses, ill re roll a fairly new set, OR ill just roll a brand new set. I like my older sets, and try to keep them for those better tracks, but if its been 6 months, i might freshen up the inside if say im going to Paradise.
As you can see, theres really no definitive answer because of the good tracks, and the not so good tracks we have. I like to have options, and if i see a re roll is working better, i can do that at the track.