Track wheels.. on a budget

[SKurj]

Looking for ideas for a new set of wheels... pending my first track day I may consider getting a set of dedicated wheels and tires just for track days. (I commute 900kms a week so the wheels/tires can't do dual duty)

Besides the standard RPF1, PF01's what else is out there that makes a good lightweight track wheel. Prefer cheap.. but interested to hear what else. I think 15x7 is an ideal size or...?

PS I know the kosei's come in cheap, I ran them but oversized for a couple of years, and think they would probably serve well in a 15" wheel.

[ilikerice]

15x7 are everywhere
I run Rota GT3 track wheels. $120 ea. average price.. weight 13lbs ea.

you will spend more money on tires than wheels though..

[kou]

TR motorsport wheels from tirerack. 15x7 et42 $94 12.8lbs

[Jason@SportsCar]

Advanti Storm S1. http://advantiwheel.com/current-wheels/storm-s1-matte-grey/

10.6lbs, $129 at the Tire Rack - supposedly built by Enkei.

[CrankyOldMan]

TR motorsport wheels from tirerack. 15x7 et42 $94 12.8lbs

^This. I run BFG Rival 205/50R15's on them. LOTS of contact.

[Ben_]

What kind of options are there for 14" wheels as far as offset goes and clearance with the brake calipers and such?

I want to upgrade from stock 15" steelies to sub 10lbs 14" rims for light weight. Specifically this one rpf1 gold 14". These may not be budget friendly, but they are light and they are >$200 and they are also gold which makes them more valuable.

http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Performance-Part/21-1015.html?id=AohvPXBo

Are there tires available for 14" with a short sidewall? I experience a LOT of side roll with stock potenza re92. Almost to the rim. If you want pics there is still a clear marking from yesterday (sunday) auto-x I can snap one.
Are there tires available for 14" with a short sidewall that don't cost a small fortune(hoosier)?



Edit:

as for tires I want to use Bridgestone Defender 185/65/14 or for the original posters request a race tire 225/50/14 Kumho has cheap race rubber from I see going through tire rack

[Ben_]

Also on tire rack kosey K1 TS 14" 9.3 pounds $119 each

[why?]

you have to be very careful with brake clearance. most 14" wheels should clear, but some will be very close. If you stick with +40 or more, you probably will be fine.

but with 14x7, i don't think 185 is really wide enough. In fact, the only size michelin states would fit 7 inch wide wheels is 205/70.

[cali yaris]

I have a set of Kosei's 15x8 with racing tires already on them for sale. Wheels brand new, tires used once or twice only. PM me.

[ilikerice]

If you car autocrossing, I would run a 225/50.. more grip. I run 225/45/15 on my 15x7

Are you running in an SCCA event or NASA event? and what class are you currently in and/or what class do you want to be in?

[SKurj]

I'm about to do my first lapping day this Saturday, just thinking ahead, I can't afford to buy several sets of tires each year so just thinking of keeping a set of track wheels with exceptional rubber for those days. Hey I might not like it .... and not bother with a third set of rims and tires.

Current wheels are relative lumps.. konig foils, with 195/50 generals

[YarisPR]

Check the Konig Flatouts, they are $100+\- and 12.4 pounds

I'm currently running (track setup) 15x7 on Kumho ecsta XS 205/50/15 just for track purpose. I use the Flatouts for daily, but I don't know if I could run the Kumho on the flatouts :/

[justjesus]

I have a set of Kosei's 15x8 with racing tires already on them for sale. Wheels brand new, tires used once or twice only. PM me.

surely this would be a sweet deal. :w00t:

[cali yaris]

^ Oh, it is, but no one comes forward. :: sigh ::

Maybe we should throw them on the shop Scion iQ and go hit the track.

[ilikerice]

I need an LSD first before I go that wide.. If only I jumped on that $500 used Kaaz that was offered a long time ago..

curious, whats the offset of those Kosei's if you don't mind sharing here.

[justjesus]

Cali: LOL - i haven't tracked in tooooo long!

LSD for 500???? sorry i missed that one!

Did OP decide on wheels?

[Ben_]

Just an update. I am looking into wheels/tires again for next auto-x season.

I ended up shredding my oem tires on a trip back from phoenix to salt lake and bought the defenders on my stock steelies. 195/60/15 since 185/60/15 is no longer available at cosco for any tire. About $450 out the door I can't remember exactly. They are working great but I'm really waiting for the winter for me to really start being impressed with them.

As far as auto-x tires go I ended up not having the money to buy new stuff so I bought rims and tires at the junkyard. 14x6.5 et45 off a 90's corolla (if i remember right) and khumo solus kh16 about $110 all together including mounting. This worked well for the season (its gotten me all the places I wanted to go) without tearing up my new expensive DD tires. Next season I'm hoping I'll have saved enough for tires. And so I begin my search again (much akin to window shopping craigslist in the middle of the night).

If SCCA keeps stock race tire classes I'll be going with race tires hopefully, and if not some summer tires.

So I'm thinking
kosei k1 TS 14x7 et 38 with hankook ventus z214 205/55/14 $940 +tax +shipping +mounting
kosei k1 TS 14x7 et 38 with falken azenis 195/60/14 338 $814 +tax +shipping +mounting
my current steelies with direzza z2 star spec 185/60/14 $492 +tax +shipping +mounting

All of these are from tire rack except the falkens (discounttiredirect) and my current steelies

very much open to suggestions, but through my research these are the best options for price friendly 14" auto-x tires/wheels

[cali yaris]

see my ad for Koseis with tires.

[mitchell12]

To all the guys running race tires and R-comps for AutoX, do you ever get worried with rolling? I'm running 205/50/15 falkens (forget the exact tire but 200 treadwear) and I went into a tank slapper after the slalom section doing close on redline in second gear (so like 90ish km/h) and I hooked up hard once I bleed speed from the slide and put it right up on two wheels and SLAMMED it back down onto all 4s. That was stock ride height with TRD rear sway bar.

Currently I'm lowered on much stiffer springs and have much less concern but it still is in the back of my mind, since according to the marshalls I was full 45* on 2 wheels.

[Ben_]

I already did the same exact thing on the solemn with all seasons and no mods around 50-55mph. I went into a big spin, ABS went crazy, brakes didn't slow the car, and the car flew into the fence. OUCH!

So I have proved its possible with all seasons. Its all about driver input and such to make sure you don't put the car in a position its not comfortable with, no matter what setup you are running. I'm sure slicks will not help with this situation

[mitchell12]

I was told a stock Yaris isn't allowed to run R-comps/ racing slicks based on a formula SCCA provides which goes off height and track width. Mind you I'm lowered now so I don't think I'll have as many issues.

[CoryM]

To all the guys running race tires and R-comps for AutoX, do you ever get worried with rolling?

I run in H-Stock on 205/50r15 NT01s regularly (are also my street tires) and not too worried. I've spun etc enough and never felt unstable. I have, however, felt a definite upwards lift in the seat twice on all-seasons (I do a winter autoX series). Course workers didn't notice anything though. Both times were from trying to save a spin one direction, then fishtailing the other way when the tires bit in. I think the stiff sidewalls of the R-comps may make this scenario less likely as they won't fold the sidewalls underneath as easily.

After feeling the upwards lift I am a little more concerned, but not enough to slow down any. I figure you can roll just about any production based car if you try hard enough. That being said, I have no interest in doing track-days in the Yaris.....

[mitchell12]

That's basically the exact situation I ran into, The marshalls told me they could see my left control arm and such while viewing from the right side so you can imagine the angle. Never really slowed me down either (well it did for that run since I almost pooed), I didn't pay to much for this car and I know I take a risk for both myself and my property every time I race.

[Ben_]

2014 rule book allowed 140 tread wear tires and supposedly 2015 will allow 200 treadwear minimum. But we will see what happens when the rule book comes out

[mitchell12]

After running this weekend with the car lowered On Tanabe springs I am super happy with the yaris. It finally is starting to compare to the Tercel I used to race.

Tercel was lowered, sway bars front and rear and had corolla brakes.

Kinda wish there was a junk yard brake swap for the yaris like there was for the tercel.

[Ryze268]

After running this weekend with the car lowered On Tanabe springs I am super happy with the yaris. It finally is starting to compare to the Tercel I used to race.

Tercel was lowered, sway bars front and rear and had corolla brakes.

Kinda wish there was a junk yard brake swap for the yaris like there was for the tercel.

I was hoping for this as well :(