My Dad and I are building a 2009 Mini JCW Hardtop for STX autocross competition. We are trying to figure out the largest wheel and tire combo we can fit on our car. Per the STX rules, the max. wheel width is 9 inches and the widest tire we can run is a 265mm section width. To maximize performance, we want to use the max. tire width but we are not sure it is possible.

Do you know the largest wheel and tire combo we can fit on our Mini with rolling inner fender and modifying the inner fender liner? Also, do you know where we can find a 17x9 or 17x8 wheel that will fit our Mini?

This is the only one I have found so far, but I am not sure it will fit over the JCW brakes - http://www.buywheelstoday.com/produc...20Metal%29.bwt

Thanks a lot for any help.

Here is what the rules state:

14.3 TIRES
Tires must meet the eligibility requirements of the Stock category
(excluding 13.3.F), with the following additional restrictions:
A. Tires may have section widths up to and including the following:
ST, STS, STR (AWD) – 225 mm
STX (AWD), STU (AWD) – 245 mm
STR (2WD) – 255 mm
STX (2WD) – 265 mm
STU (2WD) – 285 mm

14.4 WHEELS
Any wheels are allowed with widths up to the following:
ST, STS, STR (AWD) – 7.5"
STX (AWD) – 8.0"
STX (2WD), STR (2WD) – 9.0"
STU – unlimited

E. Fenders may not be cut or flared but the inside lip may be rolled to
gain additional tire clearance. (The outer fender contour may not be
changed.) Flares that are part of body kits may be attached to the
stock fenders. Plastic and rubber wheel well splash shields may be
modified for tire clearance and to accommodate a rolled inside fender
lip. The intention is to permit fitting the maximum allowable tire size,
and the modifications may serve no other purpose (e.g. air intake,
brake ducts, etc.). No other changes to the stock fenders or wheel
wells are permitted.

 

That wheel won't give you enough backspacing.

Use http://www.rimsntires.com/rt_specs.jsp to find the wheel size you need; I'm thinking an ET closer to 20

With that, you might need to get some custom made wheels. DiamondRacing does a pretty good wheel from what I've heard. They're somewhat affordable too.

http://www.diamondracingwheels.com/drwcustom.html

What tires are you looking into?

 

Thanks for the info. I am going to look into those custom wheels.

Are you thinking the 35 offset would not give me enough clearance to the damper body compared to the 20 offset? Also, wouldn't decreasing the offset decrease your backspacing? Maybe I'm not following.

For tires, we are looking at either the 265/40R17 or 255/40R17 Dunlop Direzza Star Spec. Hopefully we will be able to fit one of these tires or we will go down to the 245 or 235.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....t+Z1+Star+Spec

 

L8apex,

I tried to get a quote from Diamond, but one of their suppliers has gone out of business and they no longer make wheels larger than 16" dia. Any other suggestions for a custom wheels supplier?

Dave

 

Have you ever run a wide Star Spec on a car? They run huge. I think I would look into the 235/245 and if they fit you can always move up next year or once they run out of life. I ran 245's on my STU STi and they were roughly a 255/265 Hankook

 

245s will fit without any changes to the car. Some DS Minis run that here.

Once upon a time Motegi made a 17x8 wheel. No longer in production, but there are sets floating out there for sale. I think they are +42 offset which is basically stock offset. Since I don't believe wheel spacers are allowed in STX your kinda stuck.

I've never confirmed if they fit over the newer JCW brakes though.

I agree with th3band1t that each brand of tire runs different. I've seen 235 Bridgestones as wide as 255 Hankooks.

IF you could find a set of 17x8s with enough offset you could theoretically get 265s blown onto those rims. But then I don't know if the car would be drivable due to the inner side rubbing against the struts.

The safe play would be 245s on some Motegi MR125s.

 

Awesome info.

Now to thread jack for a minute(little backstory too). Coming from a moderate STU car (my STi). I am looking into getting rid of it (the STi) and into an 09 JCW. I have come across the wheel problem with the JCW brakes. Is there any 16inch wheel that will clear them or is it sadly a 17inch only type of deal?


Spacers seem to be a shady gray area by the rulebook. In stock class it specifically mentions them and what has to be done in order to run them. They can only be a certain width and keep the offset within stock oem limits ect. While in ST(U/X/ect) it does not mention them at all which normally is the consensus that you are not able to run them.

Now onto the talk on spacers (again with backstory). We ran into a similiar problem with a spoiler/wing debate on his STi (an ASP car), and if he is able to build off of his STi wing ect. What eneded up happening is before doing the work on the trunk for the downforce we got smart. Either before doing the spacers or while they are on the car have a co driver run your car. Contest him on the "spacers" as not being legal. It will go to the National office and THEY HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION. Contesting does cost like 50$ but it is way faster than sending an inquiry to the office and waiting a few months for a reply.

On the regional level I wouldnt bother with it and just run them.

 

That was a really old post you replied to. We ended up running a 235 Direzza on 45mm offset wheels with a 5mm spacer up front. I am still running the same setup in local autocrosses.

 

Yeah I read the date wrong. Any how car to

 

And still having fun I hope! Too long no see.

I didn't go to Divisionals, and you didn't come up for the National Tour.

I'm having some pretty good luck with my asymmetrical setup by the way - I should have done that two years ago!

Kind regards,

Charlie

 

Hey, Charlie. Great to hear from you. Dave and I bought an '02 Z28 prepped for ESP that we have been running in tours (College Station, Lincoln, and Blytheville) and will run at Solo Nats. I have just run the MINI in local events and at the DC Pro. It was my first Pro and I got my butt kicked.

Are you going to Lincoln? It would be great to see you there.

Tell me about the asymmetrical setup.

Best,

David

 

I should have read your sig. I see 15x7 and 15x8. I assume that helps it rotate. Any other benes?

David

 

Well I shall be rooting for the home team when ESP comes to the line!

The 15x8 out front has helped to balance the car a great deal, by providing adequate support for either the R1R or RS2 at 225 mm.

I wasted two years and mucho dinero ignoring the fact that only Hoosiers will tolerate the cantilevered fitment that is so prevalent in stock classes.

Silly Charlie!

Cheers,

Me

 

Just an update on some Street touring classes

Here is what the rules state:

14.3 TIRES
Tires must meet the eligibility requirements of the Stock category, with the following additional restrictions:
A. Tires may have section widths up to and including the following:
STF, STC, STS, STR (AWD) – 225 mm
STX (AWD), STU (AWD) – 245 mm
STR (2WD) – 255 mm
STX (2WD) – 265 mm
STU (2WD) – 285 mm

C. Tires must have a minimum UTOG rating of 140 or greater...
D. Tire excluded- Pirelli P Zero Corsa

14.4 WHEELS
Any wheels are allowed with widths up to the following:
STF, STC, STS, STR (AWD) – 7.5"
STX (AWD) – 8.0"
STX (2WD), STR (2WD) – 9.0"
STU – unlimited

So for an STX MINI you can run up to 9" wide wheels and up to 265mm wide tires if you can get them to fit.

This would be OK on the rears with spacers but not nearly enough room up front for turning. You can roll a fender and modify but not remove the rubber or plastic inner wheel wells for clearance.

Example of 9" wide wheel

6UL 15x9 et36 13.6 lbs $189 each
http://949racing.com/15x9-6ul-silver.aspx
or
Work Equip 01 in various offsets $485 each
http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/2...0-p-12081.html

Another approach is to search for street tires usable in ST classes and check for any tires that are wider and can fit the MINI. (wider than 215 or widest possible)


Hankook Ventus R-S3
225/45-15 fits rims 7-8.5" wide, 22 lbs, 23" tire diam
225/50-16 fits rims 6-8" wide, 25 lbs, 24.9" tire diam
245/40-17 fits rims 8-9.5" wide, 25 lbs, 24.7" tire diam



Toyo Proxes R1R
225/45-15 21 lbs
225/45-16 fits rims 7-8.5" wide, 22 lbs, 23.9" tire diam
235/40-17 fits rims 8-9.5" wide, 22 lbs, 24.4" tire diam
245/40-17 23 lbs


Kumho Ecsta XS
225/50-16 fits rims 6-8" wide, 22 lbs, 25" tire diameter
265/45-16 fits rims 8.5-10" wide, 28 lbs, 25.4" tire diameter
245/40-17 24 lbs


Bridgestone RE-11
245/45-16 25 lbs
235/40-17 25 lbs
245/40-17 26 lbs


Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec
225/50-16 26 lbs
235/40-17 24 lbs
245/40-17 26 lbs