Using stock 17x8 wheels for track tires

[DSCobra01]

Does anyone have any experience using their stock 17x8 wheels on the track for open track events? Nothing competitive, just on track weekends 2-3 times a year for fun.

Have you found that buying street/track or track only tires are harder to find in the 17 inch size? Should I look for a used set of 17x9 wheels or 18x9 wheels to open up my options for tires? (These would be tires I change at the track and I don't need to drive on the street with them)

Also, regarding widths, I think I want to stick to a square set of tires up to 275 max. Because the car is nose heavy as it is, I don't want to add to the understeer by throwing a tire wider than 275 in the back.

Thanks for you input guys! In the end, I'm trying to see if I can re-purpose my stock wheels for the track or if I should just sell them.

 

[98_Undertaker]

I got Cobra R's because outside of a couple tire options 17's suck tire wise. a friend is running the Toyo R1R's on his 17's and loves them but I wanted the wider 18x9.5's and 275 square. With the 17x8's you're getting a 255 max on there without insane amounts of bulge for open track

 

[DSCobra01]

So you have 2000 Cobra Rs in the 18x9.5 size?

 

[98_Undertaker]

Yes that's what I run

 

[DSCobra01]

98_Undertaker, thanks for the info. By the way I just saw pics of your car in another thread and it looks amazing. I really like what you did with the 03/04 side scoops and side skirts. My car is black like yours and I really like the way it looks, it's just so hard to track those pieces down nowadays.

 

[98_Undertaker]

Yeah they are getting harder to find, I had Bullitt sail panels and side scoops but sold them like an idiot :dw: