I raced Ignite last year which is an LO206 class. What I did was
Every other weekend I replaced the oil. The tires are R80, and can last a whole season. Last year in a large class the winner on weekend 7 was still on original tires
I was planning on getting a Margay Ignite as well! Seems pretty similar to the maintenance schedule that I heard from others, except for the tires, I normally hear that you should switch them every 3-4 races. When you used the same tires for the whole season did your times decrease or remain the same? I’m also assuming it depends what level of racing you’re doing. If it’s local racing then it doesn’t matter but at regional or national lo206 then 3-4 races would be more appropriate. Just a guess
The ignite rules run super hard tires, so new tires don’t really make a huge difference.
It depends on how much practice time you are putting in between races too. Above club level, there is more time spent testing prior to the event and more practice time during the event so that can eat up some of there life.
Soft or Hard compound tires will dry out over time as the natural and synthetic oils evaporate or get cooked off during use and storage. One way to combat this is to wrap them in some sort of plastic. I have seen many racers using simple cling wrap from the grocery store and started doing the same. It seems to help. I make three or four passes with the film as snug as I can get it, then use a torch to shrink the film down in the center and along the sides to conform. Not melting it, but just heating it to the point where the film naturally shrinks a little. Best to store them in a cool dark place. Heat and sunlight will degrade the rubber over time as well.
Oh ok makes sense, yeah I was thinking with the Ignite every 3 races or so, depending on how they look. I’m also planning on doing practice and testing before races, so I can adjust my gearing and understand the track better. I know that the Briggs LO206 engine is made to last long, but how many hours will it be able to perform before I need to get a new one? Does it depend on the competition?
I ran another series with the ignite that R60. Those I would change every 3 races or so.
In LO206, I’m thinking about racing in the CKNA South and the local races. Maybe the SKUSA Margay Winter Series, so tires every 3-4 races would be the plan
Damn I guess I over kill. I use a new set of tires for each race weekend if 2 day event. If one day or small class turnout I’ll use a old set.
Oof well at least you know now sooner than later 
And question for those who race LO206: are there any things you do to the engine that affect your performance, or do you just leave it alone and maintain it? I know you can change stuff to your engine in 2 stroke and have a different performance, but what about LO206?
I have my engine guy take care of my stuff. He gets a good seal on the valves, sets lash and carb, and then I don’t touch it until it’s time to have him redo the valves about 5 hours of runtime later.
Tire wise, on a medium compound, I’m putting a new set on for practice day, then running them race day, then running them practice day, then flipping them and running them race day, then trashing them and doing it again.
I run a motor for a long time. Then when bored redo the valves. I do check lash after every event. I def wouldn’t run a new set of tires for practice. Ever. Stickers for 1-3 laps of practice to scrub in for qualifying only.
Ok so I have no idea what you’re talking about. It’s not that you’re explaining anything wrong, I just have new actually raced lo206 yet, will be next year, so I’m a complete noob at the moment. Few questions:
Please forgive my noobness
Just pull the head and lap the valves in. A quick google of lapping valves will show you.
Lash is a measurement of rocker arms from the push rod to the valve. Again. Quick YouTube video explains better than I ever can via text.
Stickers=new tires.
Its all about maximizing the engine’s potential.
Lapping the valves is a way of ensuring you get a good seal where the petal of the valve contacts the underside of the head (combustion chamber) and does not lose compression.
Setting valve lash is a way of measuring the gap between the rocker arm’s contact with the valve stem and push rod. Too much and the valve will not open fully. Too little and the valve will not close fully.
Like Lindsay said, most new tires come with a sticker on them or cellophane wrap with a sticker. Just slang for new tires.
Sometimes folks just swap the head vs lapping the valves. Personal preference.
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@highSRT In 206, Stickers are a smidge slower then tires with some heat cycles on them at my track.
@da_sniffa32 On the spec Ignite tires, the R80’s, you’re probably not gonna be able to visually see when they’re needing replaced. They’re so hard, they’re going to heat cycle out before they wear out. Lap time drops with likely be your signal to get new ones. I don’t know how long they last, but the other Hoosier compounds will grip till the cords show.
Very useful info guys! I wasn’t able to watch the videos until today because of final exams. Would I be setting the valve lash before/after every race, or would it be more of an occasional checkup?
Check the last at the beginning and forget about it. Unless something is left loose or you have a parts failure it isn’t going to change much.i only check ours after installing the cylinder head. And yhen once more after a good heat cycling. Remember to do it o a cold engine.