So what are everyone's thoughts on specifically the wider wheel/tire allowance for STU in regards to the Evo 8/9? Will this alone make this platform not nearly as competitive? I mean I know we could fit a 295mm tire up front, but out back that's a different story.

Unless one would run 18x10.5 or 18x11's all the way around, run high enough ride heights out back to "fit" that by just letting the rear wheels/tires poke and not give a F?

Thoughts? I'm all for the clutch, boost control, FMIC changes no doubt. I am torn between the wheel/tire situation.

If all else fails, my friend recently bought Ron Bauer's SSM ND Miata, so I may just co-drive that next year instead.

 

Unless they changed the fender rules you're just not going to get more than a 265 on an 8/9 and maybe a 295 on an X.

 

Didn't people run 285's in stock class back in the day? They're the same OD as a 245-40-17 IIRC, which should help

 

So STU allows us to run up to 11" wheels. That being said, here are my thoughts/options:


1)
Front:
10.5" or 11" wheel
285mm RE71R

Rear:
10" wheel
285mm RE71R and see if I can get that to fit. I think it's possible with the TC105X's I have. May have to increase rear ride height even more...


2)
Front
10.5/11" wheel
295 A052

Rear
10" wheel
265 or 255 with a similar OD to the front


3) Poke for days setup. It is legal to have tires poke out from the fenders in STU, right?

Front
11" wheel
295 A052

Rear

11" wheel
295 A05s



Discuss.

 

There were some pinching 275s on stock 8" wheels back in the day but the tire definitely fit under the strut up front and a pinched 275 was probably more like a 255-260mm tire. And then with the fender clearance from ride height it was still probably rubbing/hitting at heavy load.

 

After much more thinking, I also wrote a letter. I feel they should also go ahead with the changes for 2021 and keep those new platforms out until 2022.

I just hope they make their decision fairly quickly so I can get started.

 

I wouldn't run the staggered wheel widths. a 10" wide wheel is fine for 285's, no reason to run the wider front wheel and not be able to rotate the tires.

 

I agree, and I've ran 285's on a 10" squared setup as well as a 10.5" squared setup on my previous evo.

However, my biggest reason why I'm leaning towards the 295mm AO52 (11 inch wheel up front) and the 255 AO52 (10" wheel out back), is with how much wider that 295 tire is compared to the 285mm RE. That and the RE71R is out of production with no successor named as of yet...

295 A052
Section width 11.8"
Tread width 11.2"

285 RE71R
Section width 11.4"
Tread width 10.3"

 

@Dallas J will tell you the staggered setup with wider fronts has been tried and it doesn't work.

 

That is not music to my ears.... Dallas, do you care to go further into this?

 

Where do you go to write the letter? I was poking around SCCA.com but can't seem to locate a spot. Can I weigh in on classes I don't participate in?

 

I've read his comments on it before, and to summarize- you don't want to sacrifice rear grip in the hunt to reduce understeer by running a larger tire up front. At least thats how i recall it being phrased.

 

Yes you can. Took me forever to find as well: https://www.crbscca.com

 

Totally get that and it makes sense. I figured It would be an issue as I'm sure the rear of this car would be more loose than I've dealt with previously. I'm just curious as to HOW loose that rear would be? On entry? Mid corner? Exit? All parts of a corner?

 

https://www.crbscca.com/

As long as you're respectful, thoughtful, professional, and operating with good intent then of course it's fine to weigh in on classes you don't currently participate in.