Common wisdom - track wheels and tires

[D-O]

Wheel + Tire: My track car is setup with 18x9.5 square Apex Arc-8 ET35. My preferred tire is 263/35 for a host of reasons (clearance, availability, pricing).

Spacers: I use a 12mm spacer in the rear. When I have Potenza RE-71RS 265/35 on I use a 5mm spacer in the front to clear the Ohlins R&T perch and lowest coil on the spring. Personally, I don't like the way the ET35 + a 5mm spacer handles

Alignment: My alignment/camber is somewhere close to -3 front and -2 rear. This is relatively conservative for a track car because I still drive the car to/from the track. My car weighs about 2,900 pounds without driver/instructor.

Outcome: My car is very neutral and predictable. I'm planning to increase camber to -3.5 front and -2.5 rear

Thanks Ranger.

No front spacer with tires other than the RE-71RS?

[OldRanger]

Are you running the Ohlins strut spacers?

I just installed them, and tinkering with front ride height. I'm aiming for 13.5 inches from center of wheel to fender when I'm in the seat. I have no opinion on whether or not using the spacer is beneficial, but it has helped reallocate travel to the droop 'side'.

Note: I have Vorshlag Camber Plates.

[Slideways]

Wheel + Tire: My track car is setup with 18x9.5 square Apex Arc-8 ET35. My preferred tire is 263/35 for a host of reasons (clearance, availability, pricing).

Spacers: I use a 12mm spacer in the rear. When I have Potenza RE-71RS 265/35 on I use a 5mm spacer in the front to clear the Ohlins R&T perch and lowest coil on the spring. Personally, I don't like the way the ET35 + a 5mm spacer handles

Alignment: My alignment/camber is somewhere close to -3 front and -2 rear. This is relatively conservative for a track car because I still drive the car to/from the track. My car weighs about 2,900 pounds without driver/instructor.

Outcome: My car is very neutral and predictable. I'm planning to increase camber to -3.5 front and -2.5 rear

Are you running the Ohlins strut spacers?

[OldRanger]

Any advice regarding tires sizes and wheel offsets would be welcome.

Wheel + Tire: My track car is setup with 18x9.5 square Apex Arc-8 ET35. My preferred tire is 263/35 for a host of reasons (clearance, availability, pricing).

Spacers: I use a 12mm spacer in the rear. When I have Potenza RE-71RS 265/35 on I use a 5mm spacer in the front to clear the Ohlins R&T perch and lowest coil on the spring. Personally, I don't like the way the ET35 + a 5mm spacer handles

Alignment: My alignment/camber is somewhere close to -3 front and -2 rear. This is relatively conservative for a track car because I still drive the car to/from the track. My car weighs about 2,900 pounds without driver/instructor.

Outcome: My car is very neutral and predictable. I'm planning to increase camber to -3.5 front and -2.5 rear

[bigjae46]

FWIW I didn’t have to roll my fenders front or rear for my 275/40-17 NT01s. I do run -3.5° F and -2.5° rear for camber.

Now that I think about it, I didn't even try without rolling the front.

[foolio]

Agreed. Just keep in mind that the front fenders would need to be rolled flat and then more negative camber to get 275s to fit. Depends on the OP's level of addiction.

For 275/40R17s, there are some 200TW choices, just not a lot. I saw the Falken 615s for $220 per tire or RT660s for $280 IIRC. I believe Continental has some tires comparable to a PS4S which would be better for someone starting out.

Also can run 17x9.5s and run a 255/40R17 which will give you a ton of options. More tire is faster but tires ain't cheap either!

FWIW I didn’t have to roll my fenders front or rear for my 275/40-17 NT01s. I do run -3.5° F and -2.5° rear for camber.

[bigjae46]

18 square is a good go to setup for a lot of people. I have one set of 18’s but I actually prefer 17” square due to slightly lower running costs so that is what I run typically. However, should you decide you need to upgrade your brakes down the road, 17’s don’t have as many choices. Also, I have found that 17’s limit your tire choice some as well. Not a problem for me because I love NT01’s and I can get them in 275/40-17.

Agreed. Just keep in mind that the front fenders would need to be rolled flat and then more negative camber to get 275s to fit. Depends on the OP's level of addiction.

For 275/40R17s, there are some 200TW choices, just not a lot. I saw the Falken 615s for $220 per tire or RT660s for $280 IIRC. I believe Continental has some tires comparable to a PS4S which would be better for someone starting out.

Also can run 17x9.5s and run a 255/40R17 which will give you a ton of options. More tire is faster but tires ain't cheap either!

[D-O]

18 square is a good go to setup for a lot of people. I have one set of 18’s but I actually prefer 17” square due to slightly lower running costs so that is what I run typically. However, should you decide you need to upgrade your brakes down the road, 17’s don’t have as many choices. Also, I have found that 17’s limit your tire choice some as well. Not a problem for me because I love NT01’s and I can get them in 275/40-17.

Many thanks.

18's do seem most flexible as far as brake clearance (996) and tire sizes. Any advice regarding tires sizes and wheel offsets would be welcome.

[foolio]

18 square is a good go to setup for a lot of people. I have one set of 18’s but I actually prefer 17” square due to slightly lower running costs so that is what I run typically. However, should you decide you need to upgrade your brakes down the road, 17’s don’t have as many choices. Also, I have found that 17’s limit your tire choice some as well. Not a problem for me because I love NT01’s and I can get them in 275/40-17.

[D-O]

After seven years I finally took my M3 to a track day. My buddy is a member at Atlanta Motorsports Park and invited me as a guest. I got loads of track time and had a blast.

I am definitely going back for more, but I don't want to hammer my street tires and wheels. Am I correct that an 18" square set up is the go to for the track?

D-O