upon first entering, i won't be racing to compete, i'll be racing to have fun. as i progress in the practice events, and become a better driver, i will then become more competitive and want to be placed appropriately in a class.

i just wanted to know what class i would be starting off in.

 

Correction... In B Stock you can run any size DOT tire that fits a stock size wheel that is within 1/4" of stock offset, you do not have to run stock size tires. We use a 245-35-18 on an 18X8 with a 48mm offset. There have been some guys using 275-35-18s on stock wheels.

 

Keith, get some good tires and have ulllose co-drive in STU with you at event. That would be a very interesting experiment to see where the car stands.

I was gonna say something about me trying an event in STU, then I looked at Sunday's SD results and saw that the STU guys pWn3d my ***.

 

I was planning on taking off the bumper and sideskirts. I have the stock bumper from Snowfl8ks car. It is white, but stock .

I'm looking at getting those SSR wheels Lesper4 posted the thread on. It looks like they may come with 245 series tires, whichmay be an improvement over stock. I know that a really good setup would be 265 or larger. It would be impressive to show up with some wide rubber.

 

If I can get those SSR wheels and some good tires...I would definately come down to a San Diego event, or practice event and have Jason drive the car. See what he thinks about it. I fear that it is just going to be a heavy beast. The body kit is nice, and looks good in pics, but does nothing for weight savings or anything else for that matter.

I would be interested to hear you, or Jason I's feedback on the MS setup.

 

I would not waste the money to buy a 1/2" wider wheel and a low performance street tire. For about the same money you could buy new 18X9.5 Enkeis that are lighter and a set of 275 Falkens from Goodwin. If you really want to burn up some money step up to the 265 Yoko Advan. Added bonus with the bigger wheel, 9-10" wide, is if you want to go SM or BSP you have a big enough wheel for the 285 Kumho V710.
I like the MazdaSpeed parts, that kit was the T2 trunk kit for the road racers and it worked great. The only part I don't like is the fact that you can not corner weight the car as you do not have adjustable spring perches. Also for autox the MS shock is a bit soft on rebound.
Don't forget about an alignment.
Your car should weigh less than any of the other cars in STU. If you want to save some weight a set of race seat would help.

 

thank you Jason...you always put things in perspective. It is nice to know that I would have greater options with the Enkeis. I remember you putting the link up ealier. I'll look for it again and check out the pricing.

Excuse my ignorance, are the 285 Kuhmo V710's a race or street tire? I would assume race tire since you referred to it for racing in BSP and SM.

What race tire are you, Jason, and Casey running? These fit the 18x8 rim all three of you are running, right?

the 275 Falkens would be huge, front & back? Wow. Which Falken Tire (Azenis?).

 

http://www.good-win-racing.com/mazda...ml?id=iKaiXhjH
These are not the only wheels around, just the lightest. They might still be on backorder so you might want to get in line. The Tirerack and others also have some wheels that will work, the key is 9" minimum width is what you must have to make the big tires work 100%.

The Kumho V710 is a DOT race tire, legal for stock, SP and SM. Casey and I are on 245-35-18s. The 285-30-18 would be my choice for SP or SM on a 9-10" wheel.

Up to a 285 will fit the stock fenders on the RX8 so the 275 falken and 265 Yoko are no problem.

And yes you want the same size all the way around, stagger is for car shows.

p.s. these guys: http://www.autornd.com/catalog/ who are a forum vendor say they can get the 18X9.5 RPF1 also.

 

I am REALLY interested in getting a set of Enikei 17x9.5's and a set of 275-40-17's. much wider, and smaller diamiter. Just wish I hade the money to do it. :/ looks like it would cost just over $2100 to get it all.

 

oh yeah, and to cmment on the BSP cars, and the STU cars. I agree that I have simply gotten lucky with who shows up. the competition has not really been all that tough, untill a vette running 335's shows up to really show me how far behind I really am. I am thinking the 17" 275's would help alot!

hell this weekend I was the only car there on slicks. (granted the other cars were on some serious street tires running 275's)

 

The 18"s will be faster, they will turn in better and give you more gear than the 17s.

The 17s are taller than your current autox setup, the 245-35-18 is the same height as the 285-30-18.

Tire Size Sidewall Diameter Circumference Rev/Mile Difference
225/45-18 4.0 in. 25.97 in. 81.59 in. 777 0.0% stock
275/40-17 4.3 in. 25.66 in. 80.62 in. 786 -1.2%
285/30-18 3.4 in. 24.73 in. 77.70 in. 815 -4.8%
245/35-18 3.4 in. 24.75 in. 77.76 in. 815 -4.7% current setup

 

............... true, true.

damn, and that was the cheaper setup of them all to. the 17's are a fairly big price differance. (wheels and tires)

do they even make those enkeis in 18x9.5? think they will even fit with the car being lowered?

EDIT: thanks for shooting my hopes down. he he

 

The tires are $265 instead of $209, not a major difference. The 18X9.5 RPF1 are just over $1200.00.

They have them on lowered cars, no problem.

 

So, if we are looking at STU, are we thinking the

Falken 615 Rts in 275/35/18?

I'm calling the company I purchased my Volks. They were able to beat some good prices and had quick access to most wheels. They are checking with Enkei on availability and pricing.

 

Yes on the 275-35-18 615. I doubt they will be able to get the RPF1 in a 18X9.5 with 45mm offset, it is a custom order and I only know of the two places so far that have been able to get it. If they can that is great and you should share that info over in the racing forum.

 

my guy said he could get the 18x9.5 in a 38 offset. $355 for silver or gold, both were same pricing. He quoted me $230 (each) for tires.

Here are some pics to spice up this page.

 

Just loved the blacked out stealth look.

 

Not sure if the 38mm is a good idea. That is a big wheel and moving it 7mm could mean you would rub some thing. Plus he is more money on the wheel than Goodwin.

 

I'm waiting on another quote for tires. I'm trying to get them for a significant discount. Then I can place my order. The guy selling the SSR's has found a buyer who is willing to pay what he is asking, so they are out of consideration. I was thinking of getting them without tires, and then mounting Falkens. Oh well, back to the drawing board.

 

I know you guys love autoX so GT Live is having a AutoX here's the link http://www.gtlivetour.com/events/att/auto-x.html
it's on May 13th!

 

uh, oh...but it is the same day as our next scheduled San Bernardino meet.

 

is that when it is? this is a two day evnet. the page says the 12th & 13th i think which is what a Friday and Sat

 

yes, Friday (12th) and Sat (13th).

 

nice pix keith! the black makes your car look all conspicuous like. it took me a while to recognize that it was yours at first (i looked at the pix before i read what you wrote )

 

Enkei rim update. Goodwin Racing says they do not have any more of these wheels, and that they are the only US distributer for the 18x9.5 w/45 offset sizing. Next shipment is still two-three months away.

Looks like I may be racing with my stock rims/tires in STU for a bit longer.