Troubleshooting guide

The Moving Target of Proper Pressures:

Ultimately, one of the difficulties in setting correct tire pressures lies in the condition of lower pressures

producing more grip once the tire is up to proper operating temperature

. However, higher pressures

bring the tire up to operating temperature sooner, ultimately at the expense of grip later in the race

(compared to a lower pressure at that same tread temperature).

Therefore, proper pressures are often based on how soon and how long optimum grip is needed. This

principal is more relevant in lighter direct-drive or clutch karts. Heavier shifter karts tend to generate

higher tire temperatures more rapidly due to their increased power and weight.

New Tire Break-In:

The final curing of the rubber on a racing tire takes place in the first laps taken with a new tire.

Therefore, the proper procedure is to take two or three laps to gradually bring the tire up to

temperature, then only one or two more laps at normal operating temperature. It is imperative that the

tires be allowed to completely cool down before racing on the tires. Any other process risks the

performance and longevity of the tires.

Setting Up for SL (Spec) Tires:

The first basic thing to realize about “SL” tires is that they give less grip. As a result, the wide rear

stance of a kart that runs on “open” (soft) tires will not necessarily work. To start setting up on SL tires,

set the kart up fairly wide and then after several laps, bring the rear track width in 1.0cm (.5cm per

side). Keep repeating this procedure until the back of the kart stops sliding and starts to lift when

cornering. If you move the rear track in to the point that the kart hops, you have gone a little too far.

Make sure you run at least three to four laps to allow the harder SL tires to actually warm up.

Once you have the kart handling consistently in both directions and you find that you have the rear end

of the kart handling well (but the front is pushing or understeering), the next step will be to widen the

front track width. As track conditions improve and the grip levels come up, you can then move the front

track back inward.