Wheel Size for Track Days

[Thomas_D]

I'm about embark on a few track days in the second half of 2020 and thinking of purchasing a new set of wheels and tyres to be used exclusively for the track.
I did some track days between 2008 and 2011 and always went down a wheel size as per the recommendation of expert drivers. My current vf2R runs 19's so thinking of going 18's for the track, or even 17's. Is it still the general consensus to run not too big a wheel, say between 16" and 18"? I remember a track day experiment years ago in a Clubsport where they upped the wheel size to 20 inches and the handling/grip suffered as a result.
Cheers

 

[VS 5.0]

You will be limited by the brake calipers.

You might get away with 18s with the right rim.

 

[Thomas_D]

You will be limited by the brake calipers.

You might get away with 18s with the right rim.

Agreed, perhaps there's only enough clearance to go down one size

 

[villn808]

Koya SF01 staggered 18x9, 18x10 with some semis would be ideal.

 

[Thomas_D]

Thanks Villn I'll look em up
Nice looking wheel too

 

[Sandman]

18s for sure providing you have brake clearance. Good selection of well priced and sized tyres too. I run Nankang NS-2R on as Steers on my Skyline and on my Maloo which I daily and they work pretty well for a budget semi slick. $200ea for 235/40/18 in my case on the Maloo.

 

[Thomas_D]

18s for sure providing you have brake clearance. Good selection of well priced and sized tyres too. I run Nankang NS-2R on as Steers on my Skyline and on my Maloo which I daily and they work pretty well for a budget semi slick. $200ea for 235/40/18 in my case on the Maloo.

Thanks, good reviews too!

 

[Thomas_D]

Regarding tyres and keeping a similar rolling diameter I'm using an online calculator and then comparing RPMs (Revolutions per Mile).

 

[Forg]

Just one question, because keeping the same rolling-diameter has been mentioned ... is this set of wheels going to be used on the road, or will you fit them with proper track tyres & switch to the track wheels when you get there? You’ve said exclusively track, but I dunno if maybe you want to switch to these wheels to get there (although proper track tyres can be pretty dodgy on the road I believe).

Because is there any advantage in sticking to factory rolling-diameter if they’re not road wheels? I know it’s relevant to traction control, but that’s probably going to be off (or at least dialled back as far as possible)?

 

[Thomas_D]

Very good point Forg, my plan is to fit them prior to driving to the track, in which case I'll have to fit a road legal tyre (albeit as sticky as possible), then remove them on my return home.
Alternatively I could swap the wheels/tyres at the track in which case I'm not restricted to keeping the same rolling diameter(fitment issues aside).
If I go with the later then I'll have to figure out the optimum size wheel/tyre combo for my chassis, for track days.