STX wheel width change proposal...
 

One "issue" I'm hearing from drivers in both the awd and 2wd camps in STX is that the current wheel width restrictions don't allow competitors to effectively use the maximum allowed tire for the class.

With the 8" wide rims allowed for awd competitors, the winning set-up currently is a 235 tire, and even though some competitively sized 245's should be available in the near future (245/35/17) an 8" rim wouldn't be ideal in running a tire of this size & profile (most maufacturers recommend a 8.5" wide wheel).

The same applies to the 9" wide rims and 265 sized tire allowed for 2wd competitors. The 9" rim isn't ideal in running a tire of this size, and most manufacturers recommend a 9.5" wide wheel.

So my thought is to write a proposal to the SEB/STAC requesting that the max wheel width allowed in STX be upped to 8.5" for awd cars and 9.5" for 2wd cars.

Thoughts? I see this change benefitting both camps equally by allowing them to more effectively run the max respective tire sizes.

P.S. I have no dog in this fight, but seriously considering moving to the class in 2010.

Btw, here's the link to the sccaforums thread: http://sccaforums.com/forums/1/33376...ad.aspx#333760

Initial feedback seems favorable...

I put this on sccaforums...

Can't do it in stock, but you can do it in SP. ST allows for a slight change away from stock that isn't quite SP. So.. at what point does ST stop rules creep closer to SP on street tires?

Bridgestone, Dunlop, Yokohama, Kumho... all allow a 9"-10.5" wheel for the 265, with 9" being the minimum according to the specs on TireRack. Not sure where the problem is?

--kC

All the ST guys I know that ran the less than max legal tire did it for gearing, the 235 is shorter than the 245.

btw don't you run in a class where guys are putting a 295 on an 8"... Now that you can get a 9" you have a concern about fitting a 265. :ftw:

p.s. it is way to late for a 2009 rule change.... So you would have everyone buy 9"s for this year, and start over in 2010, that sounds cost effective. :)

Stock is a whole 'nother ball of wax and has always been. I just don't see the intent of ST as one where the max allowed tire should be forced to run on the minimum recommended wheel width.

Not thinking of this as a change for 2009, but 2010. Someone could always run a narrower wheel for the weight savings. Just trying to "optimize" the STX wheel widths for ALL competitors...no other motivation here.

All STX guys get the same set of rules, who do you think is getting the shaft?

I'd have to say the fwd folks - very few were able to utlize the previous wheel and tire allowance, let alone the 9" wheels and 265's for '09.

Ok, you let me know when I can just take out 500-800-1000 lbs (ie: Civics that can ALSO run STX and IT-Rs), and then I'll say they need/can run a wider wheel. Everything has checks and balances, and not every car can be the best fit for the class and make use of every single allowance given. I've said that (and many others have also) many times, including when the 8 was in STU (where I beleive it belongs).

--kC

So how does increasing the wheel limit to 9.5" for 2wd help this disparity? If anything it would put them further behind, because you say they cant fit what they have been given.

To me this sounds like a few people are frustrated because they cant find cheap, light 9" wide wheels - so allowing a 9.5" would mean all those cheap, light RPF1s would be legal. :uhh: