Tire Construction Racing Kart Tires
Wide and small are the key words when talking about racing kart tires because our studies have shown that these features are needed to increase the area of tire contact and ensure a low center of gravity for the kart itself. As a result, tires have an aspect ratio of 60-37%, much better then the ratio of about 96-70% for ordinary car tires. Even a F1 tire has an aspect ratio of only 45%.
Kart tire characteristics are not, however, restricted to externals but these tires must also be light, simply constructed and provide an outstanding grip because they have been developed exclusively for racing. As racing tires, they come without an inner liner and the carcass itself, without sidewall rubber, forms the sidewall. The tread, made of a special compound, is much thinner than ordinary tire, a design intended to prevent standing waves.
The following Fig. Shows the names of the parts of a kart tire, followed by an explanation of their functions.
Two types of kart tires are available, slick tires for use when the circuit is dry and a patterned tire to be used in wet weather. The grooveless slick tire has an increased contact area while the groove pattern is ideal on wet surfaces. The Dunlop wet tire employs a block pattern with a combination of vertical and lateral grooves to counter aquaplaning.
