Mounting ContactRC foams to offroad rims

[200sx]

A number of fellow racers have asked me how I mount foam tyres to my offroad rims, they say this is what's putting them off trying foams.

It's really simple and in a lots of ways easier than mounting mini pins/spikes; you only have to do it once for many many weeks of racing, no balancing issues, no trimming of beads/ensuring the bead sits correctly, not having thin superglue run down your arm etc.

Here is what you need:

• ContactRC JY45 front and JY35 rear foam donuts.
• An old set of front and rear wheels.
• An old stub axle with 12mm hex fitment.
• A drill (cordless is best because it runs slower).
• A sturdy stanley knife.
• Curved lexan scissors.
• Loctite powerflex superglue gel.

The process:

1. Using the lexan scissors trim the inner ribs off the wheels (scissors curved edge away from wheel) but leave the outer dish intact. You don't have to be neat, just take off as much as you can. No need to break out the dremel.

2. Decide whether to mount full, slim or 'somewhere inbetween' front width. I prefer slim as it gives the most even steering through the corner, go wider for more turn-in. Trim the inside edge of the front wheels accordingly.

3. Clean the rims and inside surface of the donuts with motor spray and leave to dry.

4. You will notice a slight kink to the donut's profile on one side, this is from the 'stamp' cutting process when they are made. This is the edge you want to lose so stretch the other squarer profile side over the rim first until it's flush with the outer dish and has equal overhang the other side.

5. Mount the axle in your drill and fix the wheel to it. Spin it up and gently slice the excess tyre a bit at a time until what remains is approximately the width of the rim, a couple of mm is here nor there.

6. Use the loctite power flex glue to stick the outer and inner edge of the tyre to the rim. Check after the first few runs and glue again where necessary. I tried contact adhesive but is went everwhere and needed re-gluing weekly.

There's absolutely no need to true the tyres (these are buggies not high precision LMP racers!) the supplied diameter is perfect for buggies. The profile will start to take shape after a couple of rounds, keep an eye out for uneven wear and adjust camber accordingly. You want the profile to resemble that of a mini pin it will take a couple of weeks to get there but will work fine until then. Additive helps speed this up.

Mount the wheels to the car, set ride height, apply an additive of your choice and go race!