I am getting my SCCA license later this year, and I will tracking my 8 in various track day events and hopefully get competitive.

I will keep a stock pile of racing pads, I will have steel braided lines, the Axial Flow master cylinder brace, and suspension upgrades etc.

My first purchase when I get my license, if I have the money, is to get a set of dedicated wheels and tires for the track.

Now I have done a lot of research but I'll be honest I'm just a bit overwhelmed by all the options and sizes and what not.

If someone wouldn't mind, what do you reccomend for lightweight (bang for your buck price) wheels and tires?

Also, I will run 18's, but what about 17's on the 8? Cheaper right (for tires and wheels)?

Thanks so much!

 

check out good-win-racing.com
http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda...es/Wheels.html

brian goodwin is all about mazda, and has his own rx8 for racing.
he has some good recommendations for pure track use. he has a way of getting the maximum amount of rubber on the car, and he pushes some good enkeis - for the money they are hard to beat.

however, when combining aesthetic and weight/strength, i ended up going with a set of volk ce28n at 18x8.5.. 16lbs each. got em for about $2600 for the set from chris at http://f1motorsports.com/
special order from japan - took 3 months to deliver.

now, im not doing anything as serious as scca, but i did see that the volks were popular at the track. saw them on a couple lotus, a miata, maybe other models.

:-)

 

I will be tracking my car alot next season as well. I'm getting Enkei RPF1's 18 X 9.5 all around. And I will be putting on some Falken Azenis 275/35/18. If you want race tires, the Kuhmo V710's are very nice at the track.

 

NT01's can not be beaten. lol

 

What wheels and tires you run may depend on the class you run. Are you going to T3?

 

good point but i believe he can run 17's in either?
Since there is no doubt than a na rx8 is a momentum car I have always been in favor of light weight and a reduction in overall gear ratio using 17 inch wheels and a shorter tire. Many benefits:
1- cheaper and you can fine secondhands throw offs from the professional teams much more easily say a complete set of barely used hoosiers for a little over $300!
2- you can save 10lbs PER WHEEL in weight over oem
3- the gear reduction can mean less shifting(time reduction), better/cooler braking
and the ability to stay out of that 8.5K to 9.2 K rpm which really increases engine heat--plus the obvious more grunt out of the corner.

a 245 size will be quite suficent on this weight of a car(get it under 3K lbs), i have ran a 225/45/17 hoosier and it was great. I also have ran a 235/40 RA 1's and they were my favorite.
I have went FI now so I have upgraded to the 18x9.5 rpf 1's enkeis and 275/35 nito o1's, but i havent been on track yet with them--nov 8/9 will tell me.
remember tracking is a little differant than autocross--get a rim wide enough to offer good support for the sidewall.
olddragger

 

Either T3 or B-stock.

 

Thanks for all the information so far guys. I've definitely noticed that the Enkei RPF1's are extremely popular, and for the weight and price, you really can't beat it as a dedicated track wheel.

I wanted to get a set of nice wheels for my car and use my OEM's for my Blizzaks, so it looks like I'll be getting TWO sets of rims... >_<

 

BS only allows 18X8, with an offset allowance of +/- 1/4".

T3 allows 18X8 or smaller, so 17X8 is ok, offset is open.

 

Sound like you need to get and read carefully the GCR before you spend any money.

 

I agree. I knew someone would call me on it the second I said either type of racing. I totally admit, I am new to the SCCA thing, and for a while I thought of just picking up a Factory Five Cobra with my father, but then the RX8 came into my life. I promise I will do my research before I buy anything, as always, I just wanted to get some opinions before hand. Sorry for the inconvenience.

 

Actually...I just did a little research on my own. and I should probably just autox and go to track days and get the feel for it all before I try and compete...considering B stock and T3 are some extremely competitive classes.

 

I was very happy with my 17X9.5 Enkei NT03 setup with 255/40/17 RA-1's for local autocross. You can always pick up cheap 235/255 RA-1's over on evolutionm.net

 

alright, so for auto-x, it seems like the RPF1's would be good choice for the bang for your buck. and doing a thread I see that Bstock wheels, the best bet are the OZ superleggerra's according to many. However, once I do more research and decide if I will compete in T3, Enkei's also seem like a good choice, no? I like oldraggers points about 17's being cheaper and easier to find tires for. Thanks!

 

The RPF1 is not legal for BStock because of the offset. Also, I think you mean the Ultraleggerra.

 

awww CRAP. I was just reading about the lamborghini. I feel like a total newb

 

If you decide you want to go with a 17X8 RPF1, I know a guy locally who is selling a like new set for $750...SF Bay area.