Haha you can't beat a good old discussion.
In 2010 the new CIK chassis friendly TKM was introduced along with the new tyres.
Lets look at the Tony Kart Viper which was released in early 2010 (50mm version not the 30mm version). With 25mm stubs, mag components and seat stays. That kart has remained the same, apart from the fuel tank and steering column supports both top and bottom. I believe the bearing carriers have additional holes for seat stays now as well. The fundamental design of the kart has remained the same as released in 2010. The options and uses of them were all available the same as today. With the Tony Kart there is a perception that you need to be on a fresh kart as they go soft/wear out lol, I cannot comment on this as it moves away from topic but plenty of 2010 Tony's remain at the front when well maintained and straight.
CNC barrels were introduced in 2008 I seem to remember, possibly wrong there. Early ones were very very good. Come to think of it, in 2010 the extreme engines were actually faster than they are today, because back then you could run a stuck ring legally, which most did to good effect. The new CNC barrels are not as good as those early freaky barrels now. That's why everyone is chasing and paying silly money for motors with barrels from that period so that says to me that motors have not improved. Maybe people have bought better motors than they had in 2010 but at the sharp end people had CNC then. Builders are not doing anything different, barrels are still set with the same port timing, ignition timing, clearances, so I can't see how the engines have improved. It is not like the BT82 is a new engine with lots of development happening by the builders.
The sticking point is the wear rates. Trying to attribute the increase in wear to changes in karts and engines just isn't possible in my experience, given how stable they have been since 2010. I honestly feel the time has come 100% from the tyres, but I don't think its all that great an increase in lap time, maybe two tenths since 2010? This would not be an issue, until you consider the wear rates now. You are very lucky to get a weekend of S1 out of a new set of slicks at Clay or GYG. In 2010 this was not even a consideration.
Venom can you honestly say you are happy with the wear rates you get out of your tyres?
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