wheel choice

[alanwheeldon]

Thanks for the link Neil but ive already read that in the past

Im going to be using the wifes wheels for the first round, 215/40/17 front and 235/40/17 rear. Ive also bought some tyres for a set of 16" alloys i have in the garage 205/45/16 front and 225/45/16 rear.

I am using Toyo T1R's all round so I dont know if I will be able to keep up with everyone who is running 888's

I think I will be experimenting with this subject throughout the year

[AceAceBaby]

If it's raining you will

[Dan_Q]

maybe its the low power of my car or the bad tyres i had on before, but i've found that even in wet conditions (track day last sunday) with standing water r888's were great

[alanwheeldon]

Ive had a change of plan again

I decided to buy 2 new rear tyres for my 18" alloys for the first round as it is Rockingham and nice and smooth. I have gone for a cheap budget set though (accellera) basically half the price of my normal Toyo T1R's. I went out for a spin yesterday to see what they were like and thats exactly what i did...... spin

There no where near as good, the car just doesnt feel balanced at speed, the slightest movement on the wheel and the back end just doesnt feel right. Is this just down to the tyre, its the only thing I have changed so it must be ??? After a while driving though it is starting to feel a little better, could this be down to them bedding in a little?? Ive just lost my confidence with the car a little now, I should have just paid the extra and got the tyres I know and trust but hey, if you dont try you dont know

Ive just bought a standard set of alloys with good tyres now as a back up plan, lots of test driving to do now before round one

[christiantimms]

Sounds like you're going to have a "fun" car at Rockingham.

It probably is the tyres - they make such a difference. I think all the speed is in the tyres and the driver... all the other stuff we do helps, but the big gains are there. Put Adrian or someone in my MR2 and I'm sure they'd get more out of it than I do. When I put the wrong tyres on my car (same setup / same driver) I was losing 4 seconds a run at Barkston.

[kaiowas]

Sounds like you're going to have a "fun" car at Rockingham.

It probably is the tyres - they make such a difference. I think all the speed is in the tyres and the driver... all the other stuff we do helps, but the big gains are there. Put Adrian or someone in my MR2 and I'm sure they'd get more out of it than I do. When I put the wrong tyres on my car (same setup / same driver) I was losing 4 seconds a run at Barkston.

Agree 100%. Utterly confuses me when I see people on here who are prepared to spend silly amounts of money getting a few extra horses out of their engine then skimp on the single biggest performance differentiator on cost grounds. If you're on the wrong tyres you're nowhere.

[k11cpc]

I agree also... look at teeside I was around 8 seconds a lap faster than christian... I would say it's because I'm really the Stig but I'm most certainly not and it was mostly the R888's.

Get a set on the 15's (keep the cost to the minimum) use them for the track and 18's on the road.... I am still on the same front R888's I ran 5 rounds on last year and second rear but the rears did last 4 rounds and would have gone a 5th but felt time of year for Teeside there was a big chance of rain so put on new ones.. The others with a round left in them are in my shed!

[alanwheeldon]

I think I will take all your advice, i will probably get some 888's later in the year, Its all a learning curve for me Although im not expecting to be on pace with everyone as Ive never really done any sort of motorsport

Im a little confused with these new tyres for the 18's. Remember I only replaced the rears but I have lots of funny symptoms.

The steering wheel is now off centre to the left whilst driving in a straight line, why this has changed is beyond me as its the rear tyres that were changed and ive not touched the front of the car at all!

Also what I said earlier about the back end tending to wobble/drift around at speed, ive scrubbed the tyres in now and its still doing the same

I have now put the set of 15" standard alloys on the back (left the front the same) and now all those problems have gone away!!

Ive never heard of this before and im a little bamboozled by it all Im going to take the wheels back to the fitter and ask him to check them again, perhaps there is something wrong with them??

[stevel48]

Not sure why you have problems with the 18s but 18s on a mr2 are for bling purpose only! ruins handling
If you want to be competitive in this series then run with 15s or 16s shod with 888. Thats it.

[alanwheeldon]

All the problems are sorted now

I took the rear wheels back and they put me a new, different make of tyre on. (free of charge) Took it for a spin and the steering is straight again and there is no back end wobble at speed.

They said it must have been a manufacture fault with the tyres they fitted?

The car is all good to go now but im still sticking with the 15" standard alloys as people have recommended to me