After revealing new tyre supply contracts for the majority of its classes earlier this month (see HERE), Karting Australia has provided more information surrounding the products and process of selection with the following ‘Competition Tyre FAQs’ statement.
The organisation is also inviting karters to submit “genuine questions” not covered in the statement below, the answer of which will be included in a future communication.
2022 – 2026 KARTING AUSTRALIA COMPETITION TYRES – FAQs
Following Karting Australia’s recent announcement of the tyres to be used in Karting Australia competition for the period 2022-2026, there have been a number of questions that have been asked by the karting community.
Detailed below is a summary of the most common questions that have been raised. In addition to the information in these FAQ’s, the Australian distributors of the incoming tyres will be able to provide specific information on the tyres that they will be supplying in the coming days as they prepare for 2022.
Who are the Australian Importers of the two brands?
The Maxxis tyres are imported by St George Karts.
The LeCont tyres are imported by Patrizicorse.
What wet weather tyres will be used?
The wet weather tyres will be the same brand as the respective dry weather tyres, just as they are now.
Cadet 9 and 12 -Maxxis MW21 (Front) and MW22 (Rear) Wet Weather Tyres will be used. All other classes – LeCont SV1 Wet Weather Tyres will be used.
Will I need to buy different sized rims for the Maxxis Cadet tyres?
No – the Maxxis tyres are the same size as the current tyres used in the Cadet 9 and 12 Class meaning that the current rims being used in these classes will be able to be used.
Is the Maxxis Cadet tyre the same as the tyre currently used in non-Karting Australia events in NSW?
The tyre submitted in the tender for the Cadet classes by Maxxis is exclusive within Australia to Karting Australia. It is specifically designed for the Cadet classes.
What were the key characteristics of the tyres that Karting Australia set for the different groups of tyres in the tyre tender?
The Karting Australia Board set the following criteria for the respective groups of tyres.
All the selected tyres exceeded the performance and durability targets set by Karting Australia.
What testing was completed for the tyre tender?
Manufacturer evaluation of tyre suitability for Australian competition across a variety of Australian Circuits.
Independent testing of the tyres on identical karts using factory set-up and tyre pressures as per manufacturers recommendations managed by Karting Australia’s Chief Operating Officer Lee Hanatschek and highly credentialled, independent karting industry member Troy Hunt. Multiple days of on-track testing and validation of the manufacturer test data that involved running the tyres well past the required durability levels.
What did the independent testing involve?
All tenderers were permitted to undertake their own testing under Australian conditions of the tyres that they submitted in the Tender. They were required to supply Karting Australia with the test results obtained from the Australian tracks that they used in their testing.
Karting Australia conducted its own independent testing and evaluation of the tyres during 2020.
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Equipment Used:
- New control chassis at factory settings.
- New engines for each Class.
- Tyres were tested at the inflation pressures recommended by each manufacturer.
Measurements:
- Measurements and data recording was done every step of the way.
- Throughout the tests at pre-determined intervals, all tyres – left, right, front and rear tyres, were measured at the inside and outside circumference.
- Tread depth measurements were recorded before testing and at pre-determined intervals throughout the tests.
- All test runs were timed using the MyLaps timing system.
- Visual records of each tyre were made at pre-determined stages of the tests.
Objective Assessment Scores:
At the completion of all the tests, each tyre was given an Objective Performance Score out of ten (10) that was representative of the tyre’s performance in each of the following areas: safety, grip, durability, consistency, longevity, new tyre gain and used tyre drop off.
Will the same tyres be used for all levels of Competition?
Yes. The tyres for all Classes will be the same across all levels of Competition – Club, State and National. It won’t matter if you are racing at a Club Day or an Australian Kart Championship event – you will all be racing on the same tyre regardless of where you live.
What are the recommended retail prices of the tyres?
The Australian Distributors of the tyres will be announcing the RRP for the tyres in the near future and will also be announcing the wholesale prices for retailers at around the same time. The benefits of a highly competitive tender process that we have now completed, is that it encourages all tenderers to focus on presenting the best tyres that provide the best value for money.
When can we expect to see stock of the tyres in Australia?
It is expected that the first shipment will arrive in Australia during November.
When will we be able to use the tyres on track?
The current contracted tyres are for use in all Competition until the end of 2021.
We expect that you will be allowed to use the 2022 tyres in practice and social karting after the end of the 2021 competition karting season – in a similar fashion to the previous tender. This will probably be from mid-December onwards. Karting Australia will provide further details later in the year.
The new tyres will not be distributed until they are allowed to be used on our tracks.
Will we still be able to use our current tyres for in 2022?
The current tyres will NOT BE USED in competition karting after 31 December 2021. The current tyres WILL BE eligible to be used in Social Karting throughout 2022.
What tyre is the 4SS Class going to be on?
The 4SS Class does not form part of this tyre tender and is covered under a separate supply contract that has several years left to run. The 4SS Class will remain on the Vega VAH tyre.
Will we still be able to purchase from our local dealer, or do we have to purchase direct through the Australian distributor?
Both of our contracted suppliers have their existing supply chain and distribution networks in place that utilise both direct and regional distribution outlets.
There will be no change to the supply network from either distributor. The consumer can purchase from their local dealer or through the various online outlets that supply the Australian market.
Additional Information
Should you have a genuine question regarding the tyres that is not covered below please email media@karting.net.au and if appropriate it will be included in further information to be distributed over the coming months or we will forward it to individual suppliers for their attention.
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