Carpet Racing - Selecting the Right RC Carpet Tire

We got the chance to speak with British manufacturer Robin Schumacher, who was a pioneer in the development of automobiles and tires specifically designed for carpets (or tires, if you ask Robin). British racers have traditionally benefited from the improved traction and cleaner, less-maintenance carpet that the cars provide. Unquestionably, the US is currently experiencing the same advantages as the UK. Here is what Robin shared with our consumers who are new to this racing style in light of its growing popularity.

Indoor carpet racing or outdoor carpet racing - What can you tell us about choosing the right tire for the track's surface?

The most important aspect of a carpet car setup is selecting the appropriate tire. As with a clay track, a slick tire will work best on smooth, clean surfaces where the least amount of rubber is needed to make contact with the track. Similarly, treaded tires aid in pushing water off the road when it is present on the surface. On carpet or Astroturf, spikes or pins of some kind will usually give you the most outstanding results; the "pile" of the carpet or turf will determine which spike or pin is preferable.

Spikes or Pins?

A sufficient spike is needed to delve into the fibers of a longer pile or more shag if you will. For many years, the most widely used Astroturf tire was the Schumacher Minispike. Most racers would choose a tire with smaller pins for the shorter pile Astroturf that races have installed in recent years. Much shorter spikes, known as pins, are needed for carpet tires. A pin's tread density and form are different from a spike's. There are notably more pins and points of contact surrounding the tire with pins, which are smaller, sharper lugs.

We notice that many carpet tires have a higher profile. Why is that?

They said a high-profile tire handles bumps better. Tracks constructed on hard surfaces benefit significantly from the sidewall's ability to flex and function as an extra shock absorber. The drawback is that as the vehicle changes direction, the sidewall will flex, impairing responsiveness and increasing the likelihood of traction roll. However, every surface and circumstance requires a different tire or configuration, much like in dirt racing. The improved responsiveness and driving feel of a low-profile tire exceed the decreased bump handling on the more recent, somewhat smooth tracks.

What do you recommend if a racer is experiencing difficulty with traction rolls?

As previously mentioned, rolling may result from highly high grip levels. Once more, adjustments to the setup, such as lowering the ride height to lower the center of gravity, are beneficial, although, on some jumps, you can find yourself bottoming out. To lessen side bite, we used to witness drivers cutting the outside row of spikes off their front tires.

Compounds are a crucial consideration in dirt racing—what about turf and carpet?

Here, selecting the right rubber compound is as crucial, but it depends more on the circumstances and less on the surface. The most popular medium compound for dry weather racing on the carpet and Astroturf is our "Yellow" compound. The harsher "Blue" compound lasts a long time, whereas the softer "Silver" compound performs well in damp environments.

We notice that you don't include closed cell inserts as we typically see in the US. Why is that?

Different inserts alter the tire's properties. Carpet and Astro tires are built of rather hard rubber to offer the strength and support of the spike since, for instance, if a spike bends over, the traction is destroyed. Because the rubber is hard, a softer, open-cell insert is ideal for this rubber and tread. Conversely, dirt tires are typically composed of weaker rubber and need to be supported by a more rigid insert, like a closed-cell or molded insert. Separate Schumacher tire inserts are available.

Can you tell us more about why you think the Schumacher Cactus will be a popular tire for the upcoming season?

It has a superior mix of grip and longevity, with spike size and density tailored for contemporary carpet racing. The Schumacher Cactus is a hybrid tire that combines the most significant features of all the tires we've created over the years. Additionally, we have sculpted ridges on the tire's edge and given it a low profile to reduce traction roll for improved feel and control.