So, I'm just curious as to what wheel and tire size would be recommended for non-competitive track use with an EVO IX, i.e. HPDE's, driving schools, etc? I'm thinking either 17's or 18's, but I'm unsure as to what wheel width as well as what tire width and aspect ratio would be "optimal". Obviously I want something that will provide even better handling than the OEM setup, but at the same time I don't want to hinder acceleration with some god awful heavy wheel/tire combo. Just so you know, the car won't have modified suspension under it this year, but I'd rather not get something that could potentially rub on the fenders when I move onto the next phase of improved handling. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated and a little explanation as to why you would make that recommendation would be helpful too. Thanks in advance!!!!

 

With no competition aspect, Go with something that fits your budget. There wouldn't be a reason to spend mega-bucks on a wheel and wide tires.

I would say get an extra set of stock wheels, (or close to stock size/offset, whatever is good for budget) then wrap them in a Toyo Proxy RA1. The RA1 puts up with a lot of heat, lasts a long time, and will improve your handling over running some 255 or 265 street tire on a wider wheel.

Jon

 

^^^^^ Agreed.

 

yep

 

Yeah, if not racing competitively, get a set of stock-sized 17X8 Rota Torques for $600, then slap on a set of Toyo RA-1s (255/40) or Kuhmo Ecsta V700s (235/40) for another $600 or so. I did this and raced my butt off for an entire season - autox and road course. This year, I still am on stock suspension, but got some much better Ecsta V710s (245/45) and put them on my stock BBS rims (same as yours). That combination is awesome.

 

Are the RA-1's about the best competition tire I can get that I can drive on the street for a decent amount of time as well? What about the AO48's? How is the fitment of the 255 on an 8" wide wheel? Any pics maybe? Thanks again!

 

Agh, well now you're starting to ask questions that have already been asked hundreds of times. Don't get lazy just because we have already helped you. Make sure to use the advanced search by specifically looking in this section and the tire/suspension section. The 255/40 RA-1s fit on the stock 8" rims with no problem and with no rubbing. I don't know anything about the A048s, but you do not want to run the RA-1s on the street unless it's just to go to and from the track before racing. You won't drive them daily...

 

I'm sure you won't believe this, but I just got done searching on the topic of the RA-1's and found most of the information before returning to this post to find you posting that I should be searching. Haha. Now all I need to know is how the AO48's compare. Off to more searching I go. Thanks!

 

You probably won't find nearly as much info about the A048s as you did the RA-1s. They are not nearly as popular, but I couldn't tell you why.

 

Indeed. I know they haven't been around nearly as long(at least in the US) as the RA-1's, but I would have thought that at least a few people on this board would have posted up their experiences with them by now. No such luck in my searching so far though. I'm sure it's only a matter of time.

 

Price would be my guess, they are $60+ more then RA-1's and my guess is they do not last as long.

RA-1's can be driven on the street to events, I specifically got them for this. I talked to a # of people who drove them 100's of street miles to events and back. This fit what I needed in a r-compound that way if my family goes I can put the tires on at home and go without a transport issue.

 

some do, some don't. I don't.

Only time i drive mine on the street is to remove a little extra balled up rubber, because they pick up rocks and anything else, and simply send them flying.

Bad idea if you like paint on the side of your car

 

everytime RA-1's get recommended Nitto NT01's should be mentioned too.

faster and last as long.

n

 

The soft compound AO32R is a good tire for the money. I run them on the street...although they ARE noisey

 

Rallyarmor mudflaps for that authentic rally car flavor