Autocrossers with 2 sets of wheels

[cjstringer]

For the autocrossers in the group, are any of you running a second set of wheels/tires for this, and what are the styles with wheel weights and tires brands and sizes, and pics if possible. I spent a LOT less on vacation than I planned and I am going to buy soon now. Any information you can pass along would be helpful!
Thanks guys. (and gals)

 

[dolphin]

cjstringer,
Right now we are running a separate set of wheels and tires for autocrossing. Both are the stock wheels with Dunlop SP9K's. Right now, I am not sure what I am going to get when the first set of SP9K's wears out.

 

[BigBlue]

I only run my normal tires in the autoX. It seems like quite a few people at least here run R-Compound tires on race day....guess it helps especially when they have a chance to warm up.

 

[redwagon02]

Planning to have a second set of wheels for autocrossing, but for the miata. I plan on using the oem wheels with Kumho victoracers v700's and getting 17 inch wheels for the street. The protege5 might see some track time if I can make the sub box removable.

 

[cjstringer]

Ok, has anyone tried just running the slicks on the front and their street tires on the back? I am more trying to get rid of the understeer than anything else. A little slippage in the back might not be a major issue for me right now, but I don't know if it's worth the 1 second penalty to just go half way and get just 2 wheels. Any thoughts?

 

[dolphin]

cjstringer,
I have not done that with the MP3. In the mid-70's however, I ran good tires on the front and snow tires on the rear of my Mini-Cooper S. I did this for a couple of events that were on small parking lots and so had tight courses.

It worked well for extremely tight courses that we were allowed back then. SCCA does not allow courses that tight any more. I just pulled out my old 1979 Solo II rules and the gates were only 10 feet wide and slalom cones 25 feet apart. Try that some time and listen to the squeals.

On the intermediate courses, the set up was not as useful. If you learned to drive the front end of the car and never let off the gas in anything but a straight line you were good. If the course designer, forces you to have to brake or decelerate sharply while the car is leaned over it gets very dramatic.

The MP3 will never get as bad as the Mini but it could cause you problems. You have to decide if the trade off is worth the cost. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. Most times you don't know until you get to see the course.

 

[cjstringer]

One of the regions I race in has no tire handicap. It really bites going against cars on race tires, but I am still doing decent. I just want to get a little better grip. Maybe I'll have to splurge and get 4. It's rough trying to play and be chaep at the same time.

 

[wheelguruuu]

autox

hey guys we run 19" on the street
and 17" G-Racing Suzu's (16lbs) with 205/40/17 Hoosier R3S03 tires (16lbs). this set up is superb! I have gotten very used to getting the rear of the car a little sideways.

we can help you out with autocross set ups, and possibly test it out first just let us know.

Wheelguruuu!