KART TYRES: HOW CAN THEY BE MANAGED CORRECTLY? 7 QUESTIONS TO DISCOVER IMPORTANT TRUTHS (AND DISPEL FALSE MYTHS)!

My advice is to measure the circumference before track sessions, especially if you are fitting new tyres (to ensure that the tyres comply with the production tolerances indicated, editor’s note). This activity must always be done in the same way and in the same place, measuring the circumference in the centre of the tread and with the tyre mounted on the rim circumference. Also, pay attention to the pressure, ensuring the correct operating pressure is set. The deviation in circumference measurement must remain within one centimetre, which is equivalent to about 1%, compared to the factory value. It is important to carry out this measurement because a variation of more than 1% can lead to different tyre behaviour and, above all, in the case of the rear tyres, to the need to change the gear ratio of the kart, as the rolling radius of the tyre changes. With the same angular speed of the axle, the speed of the kart varies (if the circumference of the tyre decreases, the speed of the kart decreases at the same engine rpm, editor’s note).