Tyre change a ‘step back’

Irvine has spent the past couple of months competing in behind closed door sessions at the Cowdenbeath Racewall trying to get used to the new tyres.

A new rule has been introduced demanding drivers switch from 13 inch wheels to 14 inch wheels and use a different specified tyre.

One of the results is that the new tyres have slowed the cars down.

Irvine is not a fan.

He said: “I found a huge difference in the handling.

“On the old tyres you could drive on the edge for the whole race but I don’t think you could do that with the new ones which I feel are erratic and fade off quickly.

“I think it means that I will need to learn to drive the car more and it could make the racing more unpredictable.

“I think it is a step backwards and could make our sport more dangerous.

“Drivers will find a way around the new handicap and I don’t think it will slow the cars down that much but might make the cars less stable and harder to control a bit.”

Kyle used the same car he raced last season at the closed door sessions with one thing reported to those not racing was the squeal coming from the new tyres as the cars cornered.