Should I buy wheels just for HPDE use?
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Should I buy wheels just for HPDE use?
I've been mulling this decision over and I can't decide on whether I should purchase separate track wheels.
I've been wheel shopping lately and I can't decide whether I should run extreme summer tires(i.e. NT01 or RS-3) 100% of the time or get some decent summers for street use and a separate set of track wheels. My C5 is not a daily driver and I put around 5k street miles on it a year. I am planning on attending around 4-5 HPDEs a year.
If I was to run one set of wheels all the time I would probably go with some 18x9.5 and 18x10.5 TSWs or Forgestars.
If I was to get separate track wheels I would probably go with 18x9.5 and 19x10.5 for the street and a square 17x9.5 or a square 18x10.5 setup for the track. I am also considering using my 17x8.5 and 18x9.5 OEM thin spokes for track use as they are cheap and I already have them.
Clearly two sets of wheels/tires are initially more expensive, but over time will cost less. My question is how fast will a tire like NT01 wear out on the street and how preferable is a square setup over a staggered setup for the track.
I am currently leaning towards the one wheel setup due to the initial cost and no need to store track wheels. The one thing that is really drawing me to the separate track wheels is the one wheel solution isn't really optimal for either situation. I would prefer having an 18/19 setup for the street and running a square 275/40/17 seems like a great budget track setup.
Any insight or advice will be appreciated!
I've been wheel shopping lately and I can't decide whether I should run extreme summer tires(i.e. NT01 or RS-3) 100% of the time or get some decent summers for street use and a separate set of track wheels. My C5 is not a daily driver and I put around 5k street miles on it a year. I am planning on attending around 4-5 HPDEs a year.
If I was to run one set of wheels all the time I would probably go with some 18x9.5 and 18x10.5 TSWs or Forgestars.
If I was to get separate track wheels I would probably go with 18x9.5 and 19x10.5 for the street and a square 17x9.5 or a square 18x10.5 setup for the track. I am also considering using my 17x8.5 and 18x9.5 OEM thin spokes for track use as they are cheap and I already have them.
Clearly two sets of wheels/tires are initially more expensive, but over time will cost less. My question is how fast will a tire like NT01 wear out on the street and how preferable is a square setup over a staggered setup for the track.
I am currently leaning towards the one wheel setup due to the initial cost and no need to store track wheels. The one thing that is really drawing me to the separate track wheels is the one wheel solution isn't really optimal for either situation. I would prefer having an 18/19 setup for the street and running a square 275/40/17 seems like a great budget track setup.
Any insight or advice will be appreciated!
#4
Safety Car
Trust me, over time, the track will deteriorate(?) your street wheels. I wish I would have done the track wheels sooner. Much simpler. They have to come off every track day for pad and rotor change anyway.
#5
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#6
Drifting
I am with Tom on this one ... 4 18" C5Z wheels if possible. Scrubs run about 100 bucks each and seem to be fairly easy to get. I went with track wheels cuz I got very tired of cleaning street wheels each time i got back and frankly the aggressive compounds were hell on the finish ... Track wheels never need cleaning other then the occasional de-chunking of rubber on inside of wheel they are good to go .
#7
Safety Car
Yes you should. As mentioned the c5z rears are the best.
Scrubs are cheap and great for de.
I got a complete truckload of scrubs when I bought my racecar.
They are still ok-scrub Hoosier A5's date code 2005 ran 1:18's at roebling. Try that on a street tire.
You could probably also find a set of used kodiak or ccw 17's as people are going to 18's not to clear bigger brakes. I am considering selling my 2 sets of kodiaks.
Tim
Scrubs are cheap and great for de.
I got a complete truckload of scrubs when I bought my racecar.
They are still ok-scrub Hoosier A5's date code 2005 ran 1:18's at roebling. Try that on a street tire.
You could probably also find a set of used kodiak or ccw 17's as people are going to 18's not to clear bigger brakes. I am considering selling my 2 sets of kodiaks.
Tim
#8
Drifting
I am with Tom on this one ... 4 18" C5Z wheels if possible. Scrubs run about 100 bucks each and seem to be fairly easy to get. I went with track wheels cuz I got very tired of cleaning street wheels each time i got back and frankly the aggressive compounds were hell on the finish ... Track wheels never need cleaning other then the occasional de-chunking of rubber on inside of wheel they are good to go .
Jim
#9
Drifting