Wondering if you guys could help me out? I've ran a couple of auto-x events and have signed up for driving school with a track day after. I plan on attending a few track days this year and getting setup for next year, but I need advice as to aero vs wheel/tires? Right now I have a few extra $ and I'm debating between an undertray with front splitter or new light weight wheels. Which would offer better results for a newb track driver. Wheel/tire combo wouldn't be r-comps but simply lighter, stronger than stock wheels with some star-spec's. Please let me know what would offer the best bang for the buck. Thanks

 

Depends on ur rim/tire setup you have right now. Without that info we can't help u

 

For a beginner, if you really want to spend some change, I would go with wheels before the aero. Although stock wheels can handle track day abuse (it's what I rock), lighter wheels wouldn't hurt.

I would not go changing any aero characteristics of the car your first few events. Learn the car as stock as possible. Learn how to push the stock equipment (excluding brakes) to the limits and be comfortable there, then upgrade slowly and re-learn.

 

Currently on stock wheels with star specs.

 

serously aero or rims for performance? How about some better tires and a good alignment thats the best bang for your buck.

 

Already got the alignment and I want to stick with the spec's till I learn to out-drive them. And by no means am I talking anything hard core for aero. Really it comes down to some cheap rpf1's or some front end down force.

 

Don’t waste your money. The OEM wheels and Z1 tires are plenty good for your first few track events. 99.9% of the times, the Z1’s are better for DE beginners than R-comps; great grip and plenty of feedback. I’d spend my money on brake pads, fluid and track time.

 

I would definitely spend the money on wheels and tires. I started autocrossing a few years ago and I can say with confidence that wheels and tires make far more of a difference for beginners than aero does, as far as better times are concerned. That being said, it should also be acknowledged that you can cover up many mistakes and bad driving with good set of wheels and more so a good set of tires to go along with them.

 

i'd use the money on pads and other maintenance seeing u have a awesome set of tires already. i wouldn't advise going over a 245 on the stock rim though, due to the *specs running a little wider than other tires and that they will roll over at that size on a stock rim and get destroyed.

so basically just save ur money until you become way faster :P

 

Spend the money on tires, don't worry about the wheels for now. 245/45r17 *specs run $165 a pop on tirerack. The stock wheels/tire size is more than enough for someone just starting out. Instead of the wheels, I would recommend a front splitter (not a lip) for some added front downforce.

 

Be patient. You may buy a bunch of stuff and find out later that everything you bought is useless for your needs. You may also decide to compete in some sort of class later on and find out that not only are the mods you bought useless for your needs, but they also bump you up into a class that you dont want or cant afford to be in. So do your homework and be patient. Worst case scenario, spend the money on yourself. The driver is the most important factor. And that takes years to develop, and a lifetime to fine tune. And when you figure out what you need, start off simple to get your feet wet.

Btw, since you live in Socal, what track day driving school have you signed up with?

 

Time for a Jim Russell school trip!

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