Wheel width, ITB, again

[rlward]

Jake, I ran one set of 7" rims I had just purchased for 2 races (1 weekend) My other set was 6" OEM rims.
K, either of your suggestions hold any value unless I only race fro 2 more years or my current wheels break.
DaveOther cars in ITB are receiving an advantage now as I am runing 20# wheels and more than 50#over weight.
Steve That is exactly my point. I id buy wheels and then all of a sudden, I'm in ITB and can only find heavy wheels in 6" I have found another set of OEM round boat anchors.
In order to keep updated, our rules in general should address the maket changes. Otherwise we will rule ourselves out of existance. If a car came with wider wheels than the current rules allow, are we not ruling towards a potential heel failure? Keep in mind wheel sizes are engineered for a cars weight by the manufacturer. When we race we put additional stress on the entire car and in aprticular to the tirs and wheels.
This whol thing about sizes seem cotrarry to common sense. The fitment cocept still seems the most consistant, yet is still adaptable to any changes whatever happens in the future.

While I started this discussion based on my particular needs, the comments posted have led me to believe a change may be possible without upsetting the apple cart too much. We need to have more foresight than hindsight. My fear is no different than anyone elses except I have already been bitten once. No one wants to buy or have a supply of wheels that wont be anadvantage for their car. I think I will defer the purchase of another set of wheels untill later and see if there is a glimmer of hope that foresight will prevail.
I want to thank everyone for their comments. To those that agree the rule should be revised, thank you for supporting this. To those opposed, thank you for your thoughtfull insight of the other side of the issue. To those that just read but did not comment, now is your turn to voice your opinion.

[Knestis]

Thanks, Rodger - that's helpful information.

K

[gran racing]

DaveOther cars in ITB are receiving an advantage now as I am runing 20# wheels and more than 50#over weight.

Wait a second. I sympathize with your need to purchase new rims however that statement a bit funny to me. First, you're being moved from a class where the car in a competitive field has absolutely no shot at winning. Now you're moved to a class where you're in a MUCH better position even with those wheels and weight. You also need to keep in mind that you are choosing not to purchase rims. It would be similar to me complaining that almost everything with my car had to be custom built. I can either choose to use the original equipment (Shelby = 6" rims, right?) or spend the money on other better options.

During the ITB impound I pointed out to Jake the Sabb and implications of using fender width to determine maximum wheel sizes. The front fenders (the rear were tweeked a bit) could easily be an additional 3" inches wider than it was. Using the chalk method and with decent tire pressures, I wouldn't be totally surprised if it were an additional 5"s. (It has Hoosier 225s) I also looked a Volvo, plenty of room there too.

[rlward]

Dave, I don't doubt what you say about being able to stuff (6 + 3) 9" wide rims under the Saab. Maybe 11", but I don't thin there is a great supply out ther of those wheel and even then a tire would be a problem. Same with th Volvo. Given the tire sizes run, 7 or 8 is probably optimum.
fitment still better. Maybe a tweak would be all rims the same size. Dos that help anybody?

[gran racing]

There are a few circle track wheel manufactures that would be happy to supply those rims. I sure would give them a try at handling tracks such as Lime Rock Park.

I guess my point is that other than a temporary dual classification, I'm not sure there's an easy answer that will make everyone happy.

[rlward]

There are a few circle track wheel manufactures that would be happy to supply those rims. I sure would give them a try at handling tracks such as Lime Rock Park.

I would like to know of some supplier. All I have found is spinwerks. They have only 4 rims in 6" and are not going to carry any more. $231/each = ouch!

I guess my point is that other than a temporary dual classification, I'm not sure there's an easy answer that will make everyone happy.[/quote]
Is making everyone happy a requirement? or is what is best overall, Maybe 7 in ITB is not the best answer, If there were a good supply of 6" under 15# in every bolt pattern in ITB, there would be no issue at all.

I still think fitment is the best over all answer.

[JoshS]

$231/each = ouch!

I agree that the price sounds expensive for an off-the-shelf 14x6 wheel, but ... still, the price of a couple of sets of those (especially when you consider that you can sell your 7" wheels for SOMETHING) is MUCH MUCH MUCH less than it would have cost you to try to be competitive in ITA. If you are overweight for B, you must have been really really overweight for A!

[quadzjr]

I guess my point is that other than a temporary dual classification, I'm not sure there's an easy answer that will make everyone happy.

What about the idea of you can run the stock wheels that came on your car or being your car came on stock or run an aftermarket wheel up to a width of 6".

That should cover everyone. another option is instead of buyring 230 per wheel.. it would be cheaper to machine weight out of your stock wheels. Even if yo uhad to buy a student version of solidworks to test it.

[Andy Bettencourt]

What about the idea of you can run the stock wheels that came on your car or being your car came on stock or run an aftermarket wheel up to a width of 6".

That should cover everyone. another option is instead of buyring 230 per wheel.. it would be cheaper to machine weight out of your stock wheels. Even if yo uhad to buy a student version of solidworks to test it.

It doesn't cover the OP who got moved from ITA to ITB.