Just purchased a 1st gen with 12A. For SCCA racing what are the wheels and tires (sizes) I can use?

For just plain driving schools should I use the same or is there a better setup?

 

ITA? MAx is 13x7. You can fit 225/50 or 45/ 13's. What kind of racing exp do you have? I wouldnt waste $$$ on hoosiers till you can drive them without flat spotting them. They are $$$$. You can get a great set of cheap steel wheels from diamond racing. Like $50 each. If you only have one set of tires I suggest something with some tread like khumos. At least youll still be able to run in the wet with those. No fun to run in the rain with hoosiers. (dont ask how I know).

 

I have been running my FD on Toyo RA1's on the track (i.e. Mid-Ohio, Putnam Park, etc.) and really like them. Yes, ITA. I was thinking of RA1's but I think the max size is 205/60/13.

 

So? use them on the stock wheels. This is for school right? At least the toyos have tread, and you have experience with them.

 

13x7.

I use 205/60-13 Kumhos, shaved.
I have used Toyo RA-1s, unshaved.

Buy some Diamond Racing Wheels - like he said, about $60 each. Panasports are popular, but more expensive. I found a set used, with "practice" Kumhos, for $500.

Didn't notice much speed difference - Kumhos felt faster, but the difference was well within the "noise" generated by my driving. The tires felt different for sure, but one was full tread, so hard to make a direct comparison.

 

My Toyo's are shaved.

 

What do you think about using Khumos unshaved?

 

Any reputable internet retailers sell Diamond Racing wheels?

The Diamond Racing website is terrible, but I managed to fumble along this page, after going to 15 different sections, for anyone else looking:
http://www.diamondracingwheels.com/D...heelSeries.htm

 

Just call them. They usually have 1st gen wheels in stock already made, unless you need some funky backspacing.

 

Diamond minilite 13x7 with 4x110mm bolt pattern. 3 or 4" backspacing. light and cheap.

if you buy thru one of their vendors, they'll charge you more since they're the middleman. AND it'll take longer for you to get the wheels. Diamond ships to middleman, middleman ships to you. STOOOOPID.

-bp-

 

first time you drive them there will be rubber chunks everywhere and it will feel terrible from what i hear. after that, youve probably took enuf rubber off for them to be equivalent to shaved. not sure of that tho.

there decent rain tires, but its worth the money the get them shaved. tirerack does it for not alot i believe.

 

Thanks Eric. I was going to heat cycle them cause I know its good for the tire. Hopefully thats enough.