Wow, the new tires are SOFT! And sticky ...

[skybolt]

Just finished pitting a few of the old Drive cars against the two starter Overdrive cars --- as usual the older cars would fishtail, so I took a look at the rear tires. The new Overdrive tires are much softer -- you can feel it while on the car but if you want to see how extreme the difference is, remove one of the Drive tires and compare it with a removed Overdrive tire. 

And that new rubber makes a huge difference. 

I experimented a little, and it wasn't easy because the new and old tires aren't quite the same size, nor do the wheel grooves match. But, you can fit them for ten or so laps. The fishtailing completely stopped when I fixed the new tires to the old cars, and the new cars definitely had a hard time with the old tires. 

This makes me think --- just like on the street, tires are INCREDIBLY important. Of course, there are a few differences, my street car for example doesn't have hard plastic front tires, and doesn't steer by varying the speed of the rear wheels, but still .... TIRES!  Anyone know of any aftermarket Anki-compatible tire suppliers? 

Note: I did not try the old cars, old track, old software but new tires -- it's possible the old software relies on a specific level of stickiness. 

[Kal El]

Skybolt asked about aftermarket tires for our Overdrive cars.  What about Anki?  Do they sell new tires?

[Frank Cisneros]

I cast my own slot car tires. I will try to cast the overdrive tires before spring.

My tires hook up on my Routed slot car track.

Frank

[Sharon Rylander (ANKI)]

Hey guys: our awesome Customer Care team should be able to help with the Drive car tires. You can find their contact info on support.anki.com.

Thanks for your posts!

[NAVYRAZORBAK]

In order to save CS more requests below is the answer I received:

"Unfortunately, due to the larger circumference of the wheels in the Overdrive Cars, the tires will not fit into the Anki DRIVE cars wheels, consequently, we are not able to send Overdrive tires out. However, if you have worn Anki Drive tires, send us pictures of the affected cars and we will send you Anki DRIVE tire replacements."

[Sharon Rylander (ANKI)]

Stated another way, we have two models of tires for our Gen 1 (Drive) cars: 

1) Replacement tires for the roll out tracks 

2) Special tires for Gen 1 cars on the new Overdrive (modular) tracks

So, if you just have worn out Gen 1 tires, ask for #1.

If you have both product sets (Drive & Overdrive), ask for #2.

Contact Customer Care as needed: support.anki.com.

:)

[NAVYRAZORBAK]

I have resubmitted the request exactly as you worded it.  My initial request was "In discussions on an online forum the subject of how the new OVERDRIVE cars had tires made of a different material than the original DRIVE tires and that they seemed to perform better on the new OVERDRIVE track. ... Is it possible to purchase or receive sets of the new softer tires for the DRIVE cars that I own."  This request to me would have been interpreted as requesting #2, but I have replied using more exact wording.

[Jack]

Hi Frank,

Did you ever get a chance to cast yourself some softer Anki Drive tires?

Id be interested n buying a few sets if you have :)

Cheers

Jack