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CONCORD, NC - Bridgestone Officials have notified World Karting Association, that due to a lack of ample supply of Bar Coded YLM Tires, and in an effort to ensure that competitors in the Pro IAME Junior and Senior classes are well covered for the season ending Grand National event October 13-15 at GoPro Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina, the new Bridgestone YNB Compound would be the tire that will be utilized.

All competitors in these 2 classes who have pre-entered by the October 6 deadline, will be issued  1 free set of practice tires, as well as 2 sets of race tires for the weekend. Tire pick-up will begin at noon on Thursday Oct.12th.  Additionally, any drivers in these 2 classes who still have the Bridgestone YLM Tires in the wrapper, can do a one for one exchange for the new YNB compound tire at the event.  Bridgestone asks that competitors contact, Margay Racing Products at (314) 771-4242 or Grand Products at (215) 244-1940 with the quantity of each size so they can have the proper amount at the event for exchange.  

As of September 13, dealers have taken possession of the YNB tire, giving customers time to purchase additional tires for practice, and testing on the new YNB compound.  This is a copy of the Bridgestone announcement:   

As Bridgestone enters its 40th year of supplying premium kart racing tires to the US Karting market, Bridgestone Kartsport would like to confirm its product line for the 2018 season and beyond. Consisting of two new compounds (YNB, YNP) along with two existing compounds (YLC, YDS), Bridgestone continues its practice of offering a complete range of tires for all sprint kart racing applications.

Homologated with CIK-FIA as the ‘prime’ compound, the Bridgestone YNB has already proven to be an outstanding tire in the KZ & KZ2 categories in WSK, the CIK World Championship and CIK European championship and will replace the YLM compound typically used in premier-level racing in the US.

Bridgestone has long been the tire of choice when it comes to wet weather racing and that dominance is set to continue with the new YNP rain tire which features a new compound and more aggressive tread pattern and replaces the YLP compound.

The YLC and YDS compounds have proven to be ideal tires for club, regional and national level racing for several years and both compounds will remain unchanged for 2018.

Continuing a relationship that exceeds 25 years, Bridgestone will be the exclusive tire supplier for the World Karting Associations 2018 six-race Manufacturers Cup series.

2018 Bridgestone Kart Tire Product Summary: 

YDS Compound: Sizes: 4.5/10.0-5, 6.0/11.0-5, 7.1/11.0-5 Durometer: 68 Barcoded: no

Available: now Applications: Club racing with an emphasis on durability

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YLC Compound: Sizes: 4.5/10.0-5, 6.0/11.0-5, 7.1/11.0-5 Durometer: 48 Barcoded: yes

Available: now Applications: Club, regional & national level racing, ideal for Briggs LO206 and Yamaha categories 

YNB Compound: (NEW) Replaces: YLM Sizes: 4.5/10.0-5, 7.1/11.0-5 Durometer: 36 Barcoded: yes

Available: September 1st Applications: Premier & National level racing 

YNP Compound: (NEW) Replaces: YLP Sizes: 4.5/10.0-5, 6.0/11.0-5 Durometer: 35 Barcoded: yes

Available: late September Applications: 2 & 4 cycle rain racing 

Please note: durometer readings are taken at a temperature of 23 degrees Celsius +/- 2C (73.4F +/- 3.5F) with a humidity of 50% +/-5%.

This decision was made as a result of the ongoing professional relationship between Bridgestone and WKA, with officials feeling this is the absolute best way to maintain as level a playing field as possible in the midst of an unexpected situation.