which wheel size is faster on the track?

 

I weigh-in here even though there are those that are much smarter on this than I am.

First, the lightest wheel is going to be the fastest.

Second, think about the outside diameter of the wheel/tire combo. The car doesn't know if you have a 15" wheel and a high profile tire vs. a 17" wheel with a low profile tire.

Best to look for a good, inexpensive tire and find the lightest wheel you can afford to put it on. Lighter wheels are more expensive, but it's a good place to put some money if you're looking for speed.

I'd like to hear what others say also.

Good luck, let us know what you decide.

 

This year I am running 225/45/15. Wide, low profile, light, and cheap. It is very light, and at 1.4" shorter than stock, it will help my gearing quite a bit. I even found a 15" wheel that clears my big brake kit. And it lowers the car about 3/4". win/win/win if you ask me.

 

Depends what MINI brakes and suspension you have. If it doesn't fit you can't use it no matter how good it is.

What MINI do you have?
What suspension upgrades?
What brakes do you have and are they upgraded?
What alignment do you have?
What is your budget for wheels and for tires?

While less weight is helpful there are different tradeoffs. Light means usually expensive- what is your budget? Light can mean less strength unless you get forged wheels which are usually more costly.

Wider rims are helpful but too wide may compromise weight. 15x7 rims are wide enough to use with 225/45-15 tires and can keep weight down and fit most stock MINI brakes but not a large big brake kit. 15x8 or wider rims can give you more tread width contact but the rim will weigh more and might not fit as nicely unless you add spacers and maybe longer studs (adds some weight). A lowered MINI has less clearance and wider tires on wider than stock rims might not fit.

Which track did you want to run on? What is the length of each lap? R compound tires will offer the best performance but are very costly. Potentially you can wear out a set of tires in one day at the track. Unless you have track alignment and suspension upgrades you won't be making good use of any tires you have, not only will you not be going as fast you will wear your tires 25+% faster or worse. Some tires are meant to be more durable for the long track, on a short track you can get by with softer rubber or even Max or Extreme performance summer tires.

 

225/45/15 and 205/50/15 are favorite sizes for me doing HPD on mini!
Short - and less expensive than larger wheel diameters - if you can accomodate them!

Alex

 

thanks to all who answered,sounds like less weight beats out size

 

I even found a 15" wheel that clears my big brake kit.[/quote]

What BBK and what wheels ???

 

Wilwood 11.75 BBK with Team Dynamics Pro Race 1 15x7 et+35. It is a tight fit where the balancing weights must be put on the inner edge or they will hit the calipers, but it fits. There are several other wheels that people have put over the 11.75 kit as well.

 

thanks ...good info

 

Good choice - see sig.

Alan