Sprint/hillclimb wheels and tyres

[Cornwallfrank]

Hi all,

Im looking for a set of wheels/tyres for the coming season.

I have a wide bodied Westy with a pretty basic Zetec Engine, funds are limited, so the year will be a learning curve with modifications as I can afford them.

From research and reading other threads I'm going to go for 7j 13 rims, 185/60 tyres.

Does anyone know a good place to buy, any deals going etc for the wheels, See a lot on fleabay but with an ET of 0 or 7, I need 25 acording to my calculations.

R888 or A048? both seem about the same price give or take

Any info/advice greatfully recieved.

HNY

Frank

[tkm_dave]

Personally a fan of the Team Dynamics wheels like these... here or here or here.

Pretty sure all have the offset that would work for you (ET23 is what I have on my Zetec SEiW).

The last link I mentioned also has package deals with Toyo 888s. I also had really good experiences with the 888 tyres for track and road. Assuming they're allowed in your sprint class then some super soft 888s would go well I'd imagine.

Also check places like Camskill.co.uk for tyres. Though don't forget there will be fitting and balancing costs to consider. The 888s have been quite hard to get hold of in certain sizes/compounds, so your choices may be limited unfortunately. Not sure about the AO48's for availability or performance, I'm sure others can help with info for those.

[dreed]

This will be my first year, again due to funds will be running with standard 15" wheels and see how it goes.

It is worthwhile checking the MSA Blue Book, depending on which Class you enter will depend which tyres are allowed.

I'm sure others more experienced than I could advise more.

Dave

[Paul Aspden]

Hi Frank, welcome to the world of sprinting and Hillclimbs,...and of financial hardship!

Tyre choice is best done by checking out the opposition in your chosen class, and if I'm guessing correct, neither of the tyres you've listed will be on the front running cars in your class. I'd guess the tyres would be either Kumho V70s in 215 & 235 or Avon ZZR's in 185 & 215 widths. Obviously you don't have to use either of these tyres, but the Toyos and Yokos will be inferior, so you're at a disadvantage before you start.

As for wheels, the lighter in weight the better, but as always, finances will no doubt come into play, as less weight is sometimes more money.

You could always run with what you have for now and just spend the money on doing more events, after all driving is where the fun is.....well I think that's right, but then why do I spend money on making the car go faster to spend less time in it........Best not think about that, need to get on and finish putting the thing together.

Hope some of this made sense, if not I'm sure someone sensible will be along soon to help!

[Darrell O'Neill]

Frank, If your competing locally next season we maybe in the same class.

Ive used 888's and A048's either will serve you well. I used 185's on 6inch rims for serveral seasons, IIRC yokohama do not recommend 185's of 7inch hence Polleymotorsport would'nt supply and fit them to 7inch many moons ago.

Saying that, Ive also run 185's on 7inch, so as its your first season I would'nt get too hung up on tyre and wheel size choice, either will do if funds are limited..... its a big learning curve, put your time and effort into enjoying it, learning the venues and most of all having fun.

[Darrell O'Neill]

Just re-read Pauls reply.

FWIW and its no secret, the westfield class winner this year in the cornish speed championship used a mixture of the avon's ZZR's and A048's. the A048's and Avons ACB10's have also been competive.

But really, it is a very competitive class and for your first season, concentrate on learning the venues and bringing it home safe.

[smorse]

forget the kumho V70 & avon ZZR as they dont come in 185x60x13, most sprinters using that popular size have R888 or A048 fitted as there road legal, you can get them in soft compounds & they're cheap, R888s being the cheapest

[Cornwallfrank]

Thanks for all the info,

What ever I do I need new wheels and tyres as running road 15 wheels/ tyres at the moment.

I thought that 7inch rims would be better as these will do for any future tyre improvement, I understand that there's no pont going for wider tyres at the rear until you have the power to warrent them, and 185's all round gives me more options on moving wheels around as the tyres wear.

Darrell, yes I will be in your class this season, I'm the idiot that used the Jag XJ6 at St Eval last year, and a couple of sprints in an MG ZR at the start of the last season. have you heard about the new venue?

Paul, I'm at a disadvantage before I start for loads of reasons! but looking forward to having fun, its a fine ballance between spending money on improvements and affording to enter all events so have capped my spending, the wheels and tyres being the last spend after sorting my exhaust, TB's and re-map, I hope £££££££££££££££, anyone got a bonnet exit manifold for sale?

Also happy to considor second hand wheels if anyone has any kicking about.

Thanks once again.

Frank

[John Loudon - Sponsorship Liaison]

My choice if not a lot of power would be 185/55 Avon ZZR on either 6" or 7" rims. They will keep the ride height nice and low, the weight down and allow good acceleration

[V 8]

1. Seat time/instruction/advice

2. Set up

3. Tyres

4. Gearing

5. Weight

6. Power

If youre on a limited budget, I would spend in the above order. You will appreciate the difference the steps make and stop you spending on unnecessary areas.

.......and only change one thing at a time.

[Cornwallfrank]

Cheers V8,

Thats pretty much the order I was thinking, the exhaust and TB's were always going to be the first cost, but doing it on a budget. GSXR TB's, fabricated manifold, should be sorted for about £400ish, hopefully.

I guess seat time goes hand in hand with set up, can't do one with out the other.

Currently have toyo t1r's, I already had 15 inch rims, so it was the cheaper option to get through the IVA. So really hope to get something better for the season, then that will be my bench mark to work from.

Chomping at the bit to get out there!

[greenandmean]

To confirm what dreed says check the class you want to enter if it only allows list 1a tyres you are probably better keeping the 15" rims, if 1b then 13" is the best bet.

[woodman]

If you are set on 13" rims then fit ZZRs or V70

but if its your first season then I dont see a problem sticking with your existing 15" rims.

You can buy 888 or ao48 or v70 in 15"

As others have said , spend money first year on learning tracs, set up etc, as to V8s list.

[Rednop1]

check the factory web site out they have some 7 x 13 Inch Pro Race 1.2 Fitted With 205 x 60 x 13 Toyo 888 fitted on offer at £675