WANTED: which wheels (and tires) are for handling and not for show?

The 17 x 9's are working great for the street but I want something wider and lower profile for Auto-X. My '97 Camaro has the Stage 1 Suspension kit (not lowered). I am looking at the Kuhmo Victoracer tires but could adjust that idea to fit the wheels, but don't know if I can go with 18 x 9 1/2 and 315/35's all around without tire rub or maybe even wider? I am looking to use these just for Auto-X and some open track events. Please don't suggest some big buck 2- piece wheels as I have one kid that just started college and one more to go!

Your 17x9s and the kumhos will provide plenty of grip. Spend your money on driver schools and seat time.

If your going to spend the money, id jsut get 17x11 CCW's? with 315's all around some people have been having great luck with.. Now to use the 50 mm offset or the 35 mm offset.. I'm not sure... I always hear conflicting info about that.

I heard blemished sets are sold for cheap on ebay occasionally.

the people that have that setup ponder that perhaps a 11" rim is still a tad too smal for 315's...

Get the 50mm offset..
It works well on the rear and may rub only slightly on the front but the grip is................. well.
excellent.
STEW

you might try and stock to 17" or 16" rims, 18" will end up costing more and weight a bit more. If you just want a set of track rims then you should seriously consider a used set of Vette rims. 17x9.5" C4 rims are pretty cheap and you can run 275 or 285 tires. you could also get a set of early C4 16x9.5' (I think) Z51 wheels. you can run 275/45/16 Hoosiers or 265/45/16 Kumhos on those rims.
then again there are C5 rims, 18x9.5". Used thick spoke C5 rims are very cheap these days and definately duable.
Why so much about Vette rims???? because they fit F-bodies just fine and they are CHEAP!

Tire Rack is currently having a sale on Borbet Type-T's. 17x9.5 for $169/ea.

I ordered the Borbet's on Friday! They are being mounted with a set of Kuhmo Vicoracers 275/40 tires. Have you or anyone else run the Borbet's? I have never heard of them and wonder how they will hold up for Auto-X and open track events? I have some concern with them being a gravity cast wheel. I will definitely keep an eye on them, checking frequently for any stress cracks. Their weight is good, only 2 or 3 lbs. heavier than some of the more expensive wheels, at 22.5 lbs. each and not as heavy as some of the others I was considering.

Originally posted by Ken Cemo
I ordered the Borbet's on Friday! They are being mounted with a set of Kuhmo Vicoracers 275/40 tires. Have you or anyone else run the Borbet's? I have never heard of them and wonder how they will hold up for Auto-X and open track events? I have some concern with them being a gravity cast wheel. I will definitely keep an eye on them, checking frequently for any stress cracks. Their weight is good, only 2 or 3 lbs. heavier than some of the more expensive wheels, at 22.5 lbs. each and not as heavy as some of the others I was considering.

Well you might find out first, I just bought the wheels, havent decided on tires yet. I street drive the car, not a daily driver but it does get the occasional highway trip, and a tire like the like the Victoracer isn't exactly a street tire. I might go with the Ecsta 712's but right now the jury is still out.
I found out about these wheels at an autocross from a guy with them on his Firehawk, I think he had only run them a couple times so no opinions on durability. Of course the sales guy at Tire Rack swore they were excellent wheels and would last a lifetime, and for what its worth they are an OEM manufacturer for Volkswagen.