Technology: Why paddle conveyors are becoming increasingly popular
Tire manufacturers produce different options for specific circuits. Intermediate-terrain tires such as e.g. the Pirelli Scorpion Soft are the most popular high-end tires for motocross, but there are circuits that require hard surface tires as well as those for soft surfaces or muddy conditions. The so-called paddle tires for soft terrain and sand have recently also been used on harder tracks. Antonio Cairoli and Eli Tomac are the pacemakers of this hype.
Recently, sand/mud paddle tires have become more popular than ever. Just like in motorsport, tires are increasingly the subject of discussion within the teams and among the drivers. Since the beginning of this year, the choice of tires has become a hot topic, as Eli Tomac and Antonio Cairoli increasingly opt to use a paddle tire even when the surface is not sandy or muddy.
This concerns the ratio between the contact surface of the studs and the space between them. For soft terrain, less contact patch and more stud spacing equates to tires digging deeper into soft terrain for better traction. On hard terrain, more contact surface and less space between the studs provides the necessary grip by allowing more rubber to make contact with the track.
Paddle tires are made for the softest terrain and specifically for the rear wheels. So they dig deeper into the ground to get forward momentum. The studs on these tires are higher, further apart and only work in one direction. In the 70s, paddle tires were experimented with, but they were quickly banned by a rule change by the FIM. This is because they dug deep grooves in the track and threw up enormous amounts of earth, sand and stones at the cars behind them. The current blade bands are legal because the blades have open breaks.
Over the years, these tires have received better rubber compounds to improve cornering and braking power. And Cairoli and Tomac took advantage of this and started to weigh the advantages of these tires against the disadvantages. An important reason to use these tires is to increase the chances of a holeshot.
Driving with a paddle tire feels like your engine has more pulling power. Because more and more circuits are being built for races, the use of a paddle tire seems more and more logical because this also loosens a hard track. Watering a track in advance also encourages the use of this type of belt.
Eli Tomac used the paddle tire more than any other rider at this year's AMA Nationals. Even when the track looked bad and there was no rain forecast at all, Eli opted for the tire because he felt more comfortable on it. And so Antonio Cairoli also used a Pirelli paddle tire last summer during his entry into the Nationals over the big lake.
The trick is to look for the soft parts of the track when the circuit starts to dry and therefore the surface becomes harder. In other words, go to the soft ground, where you normally stay away with regular tires.
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