ROAR NATS: AKA's new prototype tread and long-wear compounds

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By Aaron Waldron
LiveRC.com

AKA has not only prepared a new prototype tire pattern for this weekend’s ROAR Fuel Off-Road Nationals, but the SoCal-based tire brand has brought with them two new test compounds aimed directly at the demands of racing nitro vehicles on the hard-packed, abrasive surface of Silver Dollar RC Raceway. Mark Pavidis shared more information about the new stuff in AKA’s pit area.

AKA’s newest 1/8-scale buggy tire doesn’t yet have a name, but it does use closely-packed square lugs to provide long tread life in high-wear conditions while still providing grip in the dust outside the groove. The lug size and spacing slots the tire between the Catapult and the Grid Iron, and it has been popular among AKA team drivers - particularly Ryan Cavalieri and Ryan Lutz. “If our guys like the new tread, they’ll enter production,” said Pavidis.

You’ll notice an additional yellow dot next to the green or blue ink marks indicating Soft or Medium - because AKA is working on new long-wear versions of each compound. “It’s been a thorn in our side for a long time,” said Pavidis, who continued to explain how creating longer wear options was important considering the direction of 1/8-scale racing - but insisted there are still conditions where the original compounds will be best. “On this track, our standard Soft compound will last 15-20 minutes - and this compound more than doubled that.” The whole team is running the new “Green Yellow” compound.