Tire combination considerations

[lleone]

I've been considering some tire/wheel combinations and I'd love some input. Basically, I'm considering the following for my 2000 ACR:

Option 1:
SpeedStar Rims and Pilot Sport Cups
F: 18x11, 295/30/18
R: 18x13, 345/30/18
Price: ~3,725 including mounting and shipping

Option 2:
SpeedStar Rims and Pilot Sports (on sale)
F: 18x11, 275/35/18
R: 18x13, 335/30/18
Price: ~3,075 including mounting and shipping

Option 3:
SpeedStar Rims and Kumho V700s
F: 18x11, 285/30/18
R: 17x13, 335/35/17
Price: ~3,031 including mounting and shipping

I'd like to keep the price below $4,000, get lighter rims for autocrossing (and the occasional track day), and stay with a tire that I can drive on the street so I don't have to trailer the Viper or have my wife follow me in another car with the rims. (And no, I'm not towing with the Viper.)

Any thoughts on other combinations anyone would recommend would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Lou

 

[NCVCA]

Option 2 would be my choice. I would rule out 3. If you want to run SCCA T1 you will need 10" front to be legal.

 

[lleone]

Thanks for the input!

Actually all of the SpeedStars are 11" up front. I've never done T1, only Solo II. Any track days would be instructional only. The Solo II and PCA autocrosses seem really easy for me to fit into my schedule. They're always close by and I'm not out anything if my schedule changes at the last minute (which it does frequently).

Lou

 

[Bill Pemberton Woodhouse]

The rims are illegal for Solo II also. The car is now in SS, you can do K&N filters ( no smooth tubes ) , a catback exhaust, and run Hoosiers ( autocross or
roadrace ) and be dominant. The rims must be within 1/4 of factory offset, and the same size to be legal. I would look into getting a set of Forgelines, or
take offs of the stock rims, and tire size is very key. Keep in mind a 305 Hoosier will fit on the stock rim ( front ) , and with the 335's in the rear, this is a
killer Autocross combo. I usually get the RoadRace compound, as the torque of the El Tire Melter is more than sufficient for warm up - plus they last
longer and give you a dual purpose set-up.

Bill Pemberton
Woodhouse
1-800-889-1893

 

[lleone]

Bill, I usually run SM2 (which is a regional optional class I believe). I think I'm the only car currently in that class in the FLR-SCCA that doesn't run race tires of some form.

 

[racewheel]

to get the car to turn in you're going to want a larger front tire/wheel. 315 michellin would be the better choice of the 3 if you want to drive it on the street. you will also want a 12" wide wheel to put it on.

 

[lleone]

John -> thanks, maybe I will wind up with one of your sets instead of the SpeedStars.