New Tyre Compounds

[Rocket R/C]

I have given 8 new compounds to most of the team guys to start testing. I have found a source over here for Jap rubber, and rubber for the wet, so I will try to keep things updated as I get testing results.

A big thank you to the team guys for all your hard work with testing so far. We have 4 really good compounds, and Im sure that there will be many more to come. I keep digging for new compounds all the time, and I make sure they work before they go into production. Ive bought piles of tyres in the past that were not good for much else except taking pictures.... and I still have most of them to remind me not to buy them again. I dont want anything in my lineup that doesn't work well... thus lots of testing. So thank you again to all the team guys for the great work in making things progress alot faster than if I tried to do it myself.

I will have tyre setups from the Worlds in Holland for all the team guys up on the website soon.

[Rocket R/C]

See the tyre page for the additional compounds added.

The one I am most excited about is the Diamond, which is an equal to the jap 40. It should be a popular tyre once I get them out there.

Simon will have quite a bit before the Dutch Indoor if all goes well.

[grotty67]

has anyone got views on the price of tyres? i personally think they are getting far too expensive, i hear the rocket tyres are now £9.00 a pair, is this true and why, when the pound is so strong against the US doller are the prices going up?, surely with a sport that as got a limited amount of enthusiasts involved, we should all (including manufacturers) be trying to keep the costs down and encourage new people to start racing, any veiws or reasons???

[Rocket R/C]

Hello Scott,

This is a subject I dont mind addressing in the least bit. I ask myself daily why I even decided to get into the tyre business. I make next to nothing on them. Once I get done with having the donuts cut, packaging costs and time (which I do myself), and shipping costs to get it to you, I just make my money back. I have no problem breaking down the costs of things, but I dont really need to do that. If I could sell tyres at 4 pounds a pr I would, but I have them set right now so that I just break even. So do you want to know why I am in the tyre business??

Because I love this hobby.

I dont have to do this. Think about it, I am the only American (except for my buddy Kevin over here) that takes F1 Model Stock Cars seriously. I spend piles of money to get over for the worlds to race one big race a year with you guys, and man do I wish I could do it more. The reason I got into this tyre business at all is that I want to build up Stock Car racing in the USA. Well the first thing is that I realized I couldnt do it without tyres..... cars are easy to build, and bits can be had, but tyres are a problem. So I realized that nobody over here would make tyres for me unless I had them cut in large quantity.... thus Rocket RC was born. I just figured I would sell a few over there to guys that wanted them, and have enough for myself to race here. Well it got larger than I expected, and I also have done more research and development into new tyre compounds than anyone else has done in years. What has it brought you guys?

Quality race tyres that you can properly adjust and tune a chassis with.... and make it through a heat.

Put a set of Golds on your car at an abrasive track, and you will go through twice as many, or more tyres, than with say a pearl of mine on the outside rear. If you use less tyres, and the car stays more consistant, and you make more finals..... is it worth the higher price?

I would pay more money to win more races for sure.

Do I have to do this..... no
Do I make money at this..... no
Do I enjoy this....... HELL YES!!!

So I am sorry you feel the price of my tyres is too high, but that is what it costs to get a quality consistent product to you. And I especially thank Simon, Stu, Trev, Jody, Alex, and Paul, that do all of the testing on that side and gives me the feedback I need so that you get great tyres to run. I wish I could cut the price in half.... but its not me that drives the price my friend. All I really wanted was more than Golds and Jap 40s to run on. It wasnt enough of a choice for me, and I feel I have stepped up and created some great tyres to race on..... with more to come.

I hope that answers your question, and again I am sorry you feel that the price of tyres is more valuable than a well handling race car. In the USA compared to any other form of racing, I am the cheapest around. I wish I could do more..... Im only one guy 3500 miles away.

[grotty67]

Thanks for the frank reply! i have run with Pearls for the last three meetings and YES they are better than golds and Yes they do make the car handle better and yes they are more consistent, i have no problem in paying for that, i just wanted an answer to the cost increase , thanks for Rocket Tyres !

[Rocket R/C]

No problem Scotty. I hope I wasnt too frank.... its just a tough subject for me to deal with.... especially when I am trying to justify the amount of money I put into this and dont make any back. If I could give them away I would.

Thanks for writing, I think its probably on more peoples mind than just yours.

Also just so you know I am coming out with a tyre that is equivilent to the jap 40 in all regards, same rubber compound, a little better wear according to Simon and the boys that have tried it, and it will be the same price as the rest of the tyres, which is 1.50 cheaper than the currant UFRAs. If I could do it for all of them I sure would.

[grotty67]

Not at all Pete, i have come up against the same problem many times, the cost of materials is constantly rising, as you know i make a few body shells and wings and ABS is so expensive, i make nothing on the bodys. The wings to make them look any good take about 2 hrs to produce. That is why this year i will only make them to order and the bodys, well ime looking for a new vac former, the new tyre sounds good, when will you have any?

[Gary 328]

I can run a whole meeting on one set of rocket rear tyres at Adur, magenta and a pearl or a pair of pearls. Compared to nearly a gold a heat on the outside rear.

Any news on the hotrod yet please Pete

thanks

Gary