Road Race Tires and Wheel Suggestions for Vintage Racing

[Datsun.David]

Hey Guys -

I am getting close to picking out a wheel and tire combo for my race car. Body work is nearing completion and the plan is to prime and hopefully paint over the next week or so... she is coming along nicely. I am shooting for a generally Vintage friendly car - something that will be able to practically run with most vintage groups in the western US and Canada.

I am using SVRA and VARA regs as my general guidelines.

I would love to know what guys are running for a wheel and tire combo (tire size, wheel size and offset) with a stock steel body.

One option I am considering is a set of Diamond Racing Steelies in black, probably Challenger series. I am open to suggestions with regards to both size and offset.
http://www.diamondracingwheels.com/inde ... ger-series

I have looked at the Toyo R888R and that would put me in a 185 60 14 or 195 50 15.

My car should be running a reasonably high horsepower U20, dyno'd at 156 hp at the wheels when last run prior to recent rebuild. (Will need a decent set up now.) 13:1 compression on 110.

The suspension has comp springs and new konis all around, panhard bar in the back, front perches dropped an inch.

I do have a set of nice straight Carroll Shelby Mini-lite style 14's that I could use but they are zero offset...

Happy to share any more info to help come up with a good first set of race tires as the jumping off point...

[troyt]

The right choice depends on a few issues, like: Club rules, flairs or rolled fenders, ride height, driver experience, available gear ratios, brake size, etc. It might take a couple test fits to get it right. Having a few different sizes of wheel spacers around helps as well.
As a VARA racer/Rep, I can throw out a couple ideas. The Datsun 2000 runs in DP, wheels can be up to 1.5" wider than stock (so 6") and up to 1" shorter or taller than stock (so 13"-15"). Tires must be at least 50 series and DOT stamped.
The Toyo 888 is a good hi-perf street tire, but lacks as a true race tire. If you are looking for longevity for a Rookie season or car sorting, they would be fine. If you're looking to go fast out of the box, you'll be disappointed. Good vintage race tires are the Toyo RRs and the Hankook Z214. The fastest DOT race tires these days are the Hoosier R7s, but as with everything in racing, speed costs money.
My personal recommendation would be Panasport ULs in 14x6s, wearing 205/55/14 Hoosier R7s. But for a brand new build with lots of test time to come to get the bugs sorted out, you might think about different tires...

[Datsun.David]

Hey Troy -
Thanks!! This is super helpful!
The car has rolled fenders and sits low. Probably 1" lower on the front than typical comp springs and about typical in the back for comp springs. I think it is running 4.37 gears in the Nismo LSD. Mid close trans. It previously ran a wide body, so I am pretty sure it was running some monster slicks...

[RC240z]

I have run my car with VARA for years and HSRW now SVRA I have 14" Minilights with Hoosier street TD's and 15" Panasport racing wheels with 205 50 15 Toyo RA1's That said there are groups that do require us to run a bias ply tire and others that are okay with us on radials. A lot of this will be what fits under your car as well, not sure what year your car is but some are more limited than others.

[Datsun.David]

Hey Ron -
My car is a 68. I have a couple sets of cool 14’s... thinking about trying some Nankang AR - 1 - 185/60/14 or 195/50/15 - they are cheap here and available. I have read reviews and they seem to hold up reasonably well - but real world roadster experience speaks volumes...