When slicks and when rain tyres?

Slicks: dry track and thin standing water in individual corners — as long as the racing line is visibly dry, slicks are usually the right call. Rain tyres (grooved): from constant water film on the entire racing line. Intermediate tyres do not exist in karting — either slick or full wet. Deciding factor: temperature and driver preference in the transition zone.

What tyre pressure do I need?

Cold pressure depends on tyre make and outside temperature. Rule of thumb: MOJO D5 (Rotax) 0.75–0.85 bar cold, MG Red (KF/OK) 0.80–0.90 bar cold, LeCont SVA (rain) 1.20–1.40 bar. Always measure hot after the session — target 1.0–1.1 bar hot. Higher pressure = less grip but faster warm-up.

How long do karting tyres last?

Race tyres (MOJO, MG, LeCont) are typically good for 1 race weekend of qualifying quality; can be used as training tyres afterwards. Training tyres (Vega, Sakamoto Sport-O) last 3–5 race weekends. Signs of wear: colour paler than new, feathering on the edges, loss of grip in the final third of a stint.

Which wheel diameter for karting?

Standard for karting: front 5 inch, rear 6 inch. Alu wheels (Douglas, AMV, MXC) are stiffer and dissipate heat better than magnesium wheels — magnesium is lighter but temperature-sensitive. Wheel width: front 130 mm, rear 210 mm for standard chassis; for CIK-FIA class rear widths from 180 mm are usual.

Do rain tyres need break-in?

Not in the classic sense — but the first three laps in the wet should be driven at controlled pace: rubber compound only reaches operating temperature after roughly 3 laps. Pressure adjusts less than slicks in the wet — plan the cold pressure closer to the target.

Tyres & Wheels

Kart tyres & wheels — the only contact to the track

Tyres are the final tuning parameter between engine output and lap time. A wrongly chosen or worn tyre costs seconds per lap and neutralises all fine chassis tuning. At keep-racing you will find slicks, wet tyres and training tyres from Dunlop, MAXXIS, Sakamoto (Sport-O) and SAVA/MITAS, plus matching wheels in aluminium and magnesium.

What you will find here

Slicks — according to the regulations of your series: hard, medium and soft compounds.
Wet tyres — profiled for rain, DIN-compliant for training and race use.
Training tyres — cost-effective for high mileage, ideal for driving schools and driver training.
Wheels — aluminium and magnesium wheels, 5-inch for kart standard, RR wheel sets front and rear.
Accessories — balancing weights, tyre inflators, valves.

Quick tyre choice

Hard compound → longer life, less grip. Soft compound → more grip, faster wear. Most race regulations prescribe brand and compound — check the regulations of your series before ordering. Our team is happy to advise you.