Choosing a tire compound is entirely dependent on the track and conditions in which you are racing. We provide some very general help here, but there’s no substitute for experimentation and learning from other drivers.
Many racers consider compound to be more important to tire selection than pin/tread pattern.
Harder tire compounds
- Slide more easily
- More durable
- Less prone to fold-over
- Provide stability on dry/smooth tracks
- Often used on carpet and turf tracks
- Often work well in high-temperature conditions
Softer tire compounds
- More traction
- Less durable
- More prone to fold-over
- Can provide extra traction on low-grip tracks
- More grip in low-temperature conditions
- Often work on hard, polished tracks
For on-road use or smooth tracks, you can also consider using tire additive to increase traction. It is not particularly effective for loose or dusty tracks.
Natural rubber
- Better for dry tracks
- Usually softer than natural tires
Synthetic rubber
- Better for wet tracks
- Usually harder than synthetic rubber tires, but last longer
Foam tires
When using foam tires, the softness of the tire is shown with its shore rating. The guidelines above for harder vs softer tires still apply.
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