Contact RC Tyres GT8/Rally BLACK Pre-Glued Foam Tyres 38 Shore 103mm JB38B

Overview

The Contact RC Tyres GT8/Rally BLACK Pre-Glued Foam Tyres represent a premium choice for 1/8th scale buggy enthusiasts across the UK and beyond. These meticulously engineered tyres combine cutting-edge foam technology with striking aesthetics, delivering the performance characteristics that serious RC racers demand. Whether you're a competitive racer looking to shave milliseconds off your lap times, a weekend basher seeking reliable all-round performance, or an RC hobbyist in the UK exploring the capabilities of off-road buggies, these pre-glued tyres offer an exceptional foundation for your RC car setup.

What sets the GT8/Rally BLACK tyres apart is their availability across five different shore hardnesses—25, 35, 38, 40, and 45 shore—allowing you to precisely tune your buggy's handling characteristics for specific track conditions, weather patterns, and driving styles. This level of customisation is rarely found in ready-to-run RC solutions, making these tyres the choice of serious RC competitors who understand that tyre selection is fundamental to achieving competitive lap times. The 103mm diameter sizing ensures compatibility with standard 1/8th buggy platforms, whilst the innovative engineering reflects Contact RC's decades of experience in delivering performance RC components.

These pre-glued tyres arrive mounted on durable Schumacher black rims featuring a 17mm hex fitting—the industry-standard connection point for 1/8th scale buggies. The sleek black finish not only looks fantastic on your RC buggy but also serves a practical purpose, as black rims help dissipate heat during high-speed running. Now equipped with wheel decals as standard, your buggy will have a professional, finished appearance right out of the box.

Key Features

• Five Shore Hardness Options — Available in 25, 35, 38, 40, and 45 shore ratings, allowing you to select the exact compound that matches your local track conditions and driving technique. Softer compounds provide better grip on loose or dusty surfaces, whilst harder compounds excel on slick, prepared tracks and deliver superior durability during high-speed runs.
• Pre-Glued Design — These tyres arrive pre-glued and ready to bolt onto your buggy, eliminating the time-consuming and sometimes frustrating process of hand-gluing foam to rims. This convenience factor means more time spent enjoying your RC car and less time in preparation work, though the quality of the glue bond is absolutely critical to performance.
• Improved Wheel Construction Without Breath Hole — New manufacturing delivers wheels without the traditional breath hole, which significantly improves the glue bond integrity. This advancement is particularly beneficial during high-speed runs where traditional wheels with breath holes could suffer from delamination or premature foam separation, ensuring your investment remains secure throughout extended racing sessions.
• 103mm Diameter — The 103mm diameter represents the optimal size for 1/8th scale buggy racing, providing the perfect balance between rolling circumference for speed and ground clearance for obstacle negotiation. This sizing has been proven across countless racing configurations and is the industry-standard choice.
• 17mm Hex Fitting — Universal compatibility with virtually all modern 1/8th scale buggies thanks to the standard 17mm hex fitting, making these tyres a drop-in upgrade for your existing RC platform without requiring adapters or modifications.
• Cool Black Rim Design — The distinctive Schumacher black rims feature an eye-catching inner spoke section combined with outer foam protection rings, creating a professional appearance that looks stunning on any RC buggy. The black finish also aids in heat dissipation during intensive racing sessions.
• Wheel Decals Included — Each pair of tyres arrives with professional-quality wheel decals, allowing you to personalise your buggy's appearance and add a custom touch that elevates the overall aesthetic of your RC car.
• Durable Schumacher Rim Construction — The wheels are mounted on genuine Schumacher rims, recognised throughout the RC racing community for their durability, precision manufacturing, and ability to maintain structural integrity through countless races and high-impact moments.
• Supplied in Pairs — Each purchase includes a matched pair of pre-glued tyres, ideal for front or rear fitment depending on your setup, or purchase multiple pairs to equip your entire buggy and maintain consistency across all four wheels.

Technical Performance

The Contact RC Tyres GT8/Rally BLACK Pre-Glued Foam Tyres represent a significant advancement in 1/8th scale buggy tyre technology. The foam compound construction is engineered to deliver consistent grip across a wide range of track conditions, from carpet indoor circuits to dusty outdoor layouts. The five available shore hardnesses (25, 35, 38, 40, and 45 shore) allow competitive racers to dial in their setup with precision previously unavailable in pre-glued tyre options. The 38 shore variant included in this particular package offers an excellent all-round balance suitable for most UK track conditions, providing sufficient grip for competitive racing whilst maintaining adequate durability for extended practice sessions. The 103mm diameter combined with the foam's inherent compliance allows the tyres to conform to track imperfections, maximising contact patch and ensuring predictable handling characteristics. The revolutionary construction without breath holes significantly improves glue bond quality and prevents the foam separation issues that can occur on traditional designs, particularly during high-speed running and aggressive cornering. The pre-glued implementation means the foam has been permanently bonded to the Schumacher rim using professional-grade adhesives, ensuring your investment remains secure throughout competitive seasons.

What's in the Box

• 2x Contact RC Tyres GT8/Rally BLACK Pre-Glued Foam Tyres (38 shore hardness)
• Mounted on Schumacher black rims with 17mm hex fitting
• Wheel decals for personalisation

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are these tyres suitable for both indoor and outdoor RC buggy racing? — Yes, the GT8/Rally BLACK tyres are designed as versatile all-round options suitable for both indoor carpet circuits and outdoor off-road tracks. However, if you race extensively in specific conditions, Contact RC's availability of five different shore hardnesses means you can optimise your setup by selecting a softer compound for loose outdoor surfaces or a harder compound for smooth indoor tracks.
• What is the difference between the shore hardnesses, and which should I choose? — Shore hardness refers to the foam compound's rigidity. The 25 shore option is the softest, providing maximum grip on loose or slippery surfaces but wearing faster. The 35 and 38 shore options offer balanced performance suitable for most conditions. The 40 and 45 shore options are harder, providing longer tyre life and superior performance on smooth, prepared tracks. This particular package includes the 38 shore variant, which offers an excellent middle-ground suitable for most UK racing scenarios.
• Why is the new wheel design without breath holes better? — The traditional breath hole allowed air to escape from between the foam and rim, but at high speeds or during intense cornering, this could lead to foam separation and delamination. The new solid wheel construction creates a superior glue bond without compromises, meaning your pre-glued tyres will maintain their integrity through entire racing seasons without the risk of foam peeling away from the rim mid-race.
• Are these pre-glued tyres ready to use immediately? — Yes, these tyres arrive pre-glued and mounted on their rims with the wheel decals included. You simply bolt them onto your 17mm hex hubs and you're ready to race. There is no requirement for additional gluing, curing time, or preparation work.
• What makes these tyres suitable for competitive RC racing in the UK? — Contact RC has earned recognition amongst competitive RC racers for delivering performance-focused components backed by real racing experience. The GT8/Rally BLACK tyres are used by serious competitors and are proven in racing environments. The availability of five shore hardnesses means you're not locked into a one-size-fits-all solution but can instead optimise your setup for your local track, skill level, and preferred driving style.
• Are the black rims purely aesthetic, or do they serve a functional purpose? — Whilst the black rims certainly look excellent on your RC buggy, they also provide functional benefits. Black surfaces absorb more heat, which aids in heat dissipation from the foam during intensive racing sessions. The distinctive inner spoke section and outer foam protection rings also help protect the foam from damage during impacts.
• How long do these pre-glued tyres typically last? — Tyre lifespan depends on your driving intensity, track surface, and chosen shore hardness. Softer compounds (25 and 35 shore) provide superior grip but wear faster, typically lasting 8-12 race meetings. Harder compounds (40 and 45 shore) offer extended lifespan, sometimes lasting 20+ meetings, but with slightly reduced initial grip. The 38 shore variant offers a balanced approach with reasonable durability for most applications.
• Can I use these tyres on buggies from different manufacturers? — Yes, provided your buggy features the standard 17mm hex hub fitting, these tyres are fully compatible. The 17mm hex is the industry-standard connection point across virtually all modern 1/8th scale buggies, making these tyres a universal upgrade option regardless of whether you're running a Schumacher, Kyosho, TLR Racing, or other mainstream 1/8th buggy platform.

Why Buy from RC Model Shop?

RC Model Shop is a trusted UK RC retailer and authorised dealer for all the brands we stock, including Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi, FTX, Hobbywing, Spektrum and more. Based in Walsall, we have a physical store where customers are welcome to come in, view products and purchase in store. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, a weekend basher, or just discovering the world of RC for the first time, our team of experienced RC enthusiasts is here to help you find the perfect setup and provide ongoing support. Order the Contact RC Tyres GT8/Rally BLACK Pre-Glued Foam Tyres 38Sh-103mm JB38B today with confidence, knowing you are buying from an authorised retailer with genuine products, expert knowledge and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Shop online or visit us in Walsall — we look forward to helping you get the most out of your RC experience.