GRP Tyres for 1/8 Buggy — What's Working at UK Club and National Level

GRP tyres are relatively new to the UK 1/8 buggy scene, but they've made an immediate impact at the highest level. Multiple UK and European champion Elliott Boots won Round 1 of the UK Nationals at Herts on GRP, with Lewis Jones taking third on the same rubber. If that's not a statement of intent, nothing is.

At RC Pit Box we stock the full GRP range — Flexy, Triky, Micro and Block in all four compounds — and here's what's working at the tracks we know best.

Understanding GRP Compounds

GRP use a different compound naming system to Hot Race. The key things to know:

• N compounds (N25, N35) — designed for clay and oiled outdoor surfaces. N25 is super soft, N35 is soft.
• S compounds (S25, S35) — designed for outdoor dirt and loose surfaces. S25 is super soft, S35 is soft.

As a general rule: oiled clay tracks like Herts and Brookthorpe — reach for N compounds. Outdoor dirt like Shrewsbury — reach for S compounds.

Herts and Brookthorpe — Outdoor Oiled Clay

GRP's Flexy is the standout choice for oiled clay. Its flexible connected tread generates excellent surface contact and is what Elliott Boots and Lewis Jones were running when they took the top three at Round 1 of the UK Nationals.

• Flexy N35 (Soft) — the go-to choice once the track has grooved in and a clean racing line is established. This is where the Flexy really excels, delivering consistent drive and predictable steering.
• Flexy N25 (Super Soft) — for colder conditions or when you need a bit more grip from a fresher, less-prepared surface.
• Triky N35 or N25 — when the line isn't quite there yet. The Triky's more open tread pattern handles a less-prepared or dustier oiled clay surface better than the Flexy. Once rubber goes down and the line grooves in, consider switching to Flexy for finals.

A useful approach on race day at Herts or Brookthorpe: if it's early and the track is still building, start on Triky. Once the line grooves in through practice and heats, move to Flexy for finals.

Shrewsbury (Hadnall) — Multi-Surface Outdoor Dirt

Shrewsbury's multi-surface outdoor track suits a different approach. This is where the GRP Micro has been turning heads.

• Micro S25 and S35 — the Micro has a very similar character to the Hot Race Bangkok v2 on this type of surface, delivering excellent traction across the varied sections of the Hadnall circuit. S35 Soft is the most popular choice, S25 Super Soft for colder or damper days.
• Triky S35 — also very fast at Shrewsbury. Its self-cleaning open tread handles the looser sections well and has shown strong pace at this circuit specifically.

Pricing and Availability

One of GRP's key advantages is price — at £10 per pair for tyre-only, they're significantly cheaper than Hot Race while delivering competitive performance at national level. Pre-glued options on white or yellow GRP wheels are also available for those who prefer to arrive ready to run.

Find Your Compound

Not sure which GRP tyre and compound suits your track? Use our Find Your Tyre wizard — it checks the live Met Office forecast for Herts, Brookthorpe, Shrewsbury and other UK tracks and recommends the right GRP option automatically alongside the full Hot Race and VP Pro range.

All GRP tyres are in stock at RC Pit Box with UK next-day delivery.