I have a 2000 Si with a decent suspension setup (see sig) and I would like to find the CHEAPEST way to get myself road racing with <u>what size wheels and tires</u>? And should i upgrade brake pads ?

I checked the archives so no flames please... just helpful ideas.
Thanx

 

If you're racing competitively, check the rules before you buy.

That said...the cheapest LONG TERM (not short term) option is Toyo Proxes RA-1s in 205-50-15. They're fast and they last forever.

Initial buy-in for Kumhos would be cheaper, but they're not very good tires.

YMMV...IMO...etc...

 

Ya this is not really a huge competetive thing... i just wanna throw the car around the track maybe autox and not kill my good tires.... what works?

 

If you a planning on getting some track time (not autox), put some Kuhmo Victoracers or Toyo Proxes on a set of stocks. The best wheel for you car would probably be a 15x7.

As far as other stuff, you must do brakes. Make sure you have good rotors (no visible cracks) and some track compound brake pads. And lastly, change your brake fluid for either ATE Superblue or Motul 600.

Have a blast and good luck!

 

yea defintly the most important part of your braking system would be to get some upgraded brake fluid and some good pads that arent going to get hot and make your lose pedal feel.

 

Um, it sounds like he's never tracked the car before. Starting out on R compounds is not the wisest thing to do... Start out with some Azenis or other cheap street tire. When those are holding you back and you just can't go any faster, *then* get some R tires. Until then, what's the point of using race rubber if you don't know how to get the most out of them?

I tend to think the same thing about brakes. Learn to manage what you have. When you can't go any faster with stock stuff, look into better pads and good fluid (Ate, Motul, etc.)

-Adam (Five events on street tires and I still don't get them to squeak around every turn...)

 

First of all, you are not planning on going "road racing", you are hoping to just get on the track and have fun. just getting on the track is not called "road racing". some refer to it as HPDE, or open tracking, or hot lapping. read my FAQ for some more clarification on what "road racing" is.

Secondly, all you NEED is a functional car, ANY car, automatic, 4 door, Hyundai, whatever, PLUS $200 or whatever the even fee is. Thats it!

You do not NEED the "best" tires, brakes, wheels, or even a suspension "setup". just go out there ONCE, and youll realize its not about the CAR, its about the DRIVER. I encourage you to go out there with crappy tires and brakes. Learn what it is to have brake fade, to hear the tires squeel. Its going to be your first time on track, you wont be going that fast, unless youre an out of control idiot. Once YOU (the driver) learn how to brake, accelerate and turn on the track (and NO, its not the same as it is on the street and it is something you have to learn), then worry about your CAR.

so save up your lunch money and just get out there and have fun.

 

my exact words

 

Yea, I've never tracked the car before. And I don't need the best tires or the lightest wheels. Don't need that extra tenth of a second.

I DO, however, want to be safe and not have my brakes fail / fade away in the middle of the track.

1. I'm gonna have exclusive tires for the track so what would you recommend besides slicks. Remember cheaper is better... so are we talkin Kumho MX maybe?

2. Would you upgrade to steel brake lines, better fluid, and pads too?

 

Your brakes won't just "go away" on you at the speeds at which you'll be driving during your first event. They *may* gradually soften or fade a bit but it is critical that you learn to manage that at *slower* speeds while you're learning. You will not suddenly lose the brakes and end up in a wall unless you are downright wreckless or totally ignore your instructors. Your tires will also be fine. Again, you want to learn to work with less so when you have more you actually know what to do with it. Honestly, get whatever is the least expensive for now (Azenis will be fine, or the MXes or whatever you find a deal on.) Or just do your first event on whatever you've got and then you'll know for certain whether you really need new tires or not.
-Adam

 

flush your brake fluid with fresh dot 3 or 4 fluid and youll be fine. unless you really are concerned with the integrity of your brake lines, theres nothing to worry or is needed for driving. you honestly are not going to be driving as fast and braking as hard as you think the first time out. heck, im still racing on my stock rubber lines anyway. thats all thats needed.

 

Several things here:

1) The words "cheap" and "road racing" have no business being in the same sentence, much less the same paragraph.

2)Tires: Go to you local tire guy and root through his pile of take-off street tires. I have found some damn good rubber there (Bridgestone RE71s, Michelin MXMs, AVS Intermediates to name a few). What's worn out for the street is perfect for track.

3) Brake fluid: Go get some Ford HD, or Valvoline Synpower fluid. They are good and inexpensive and readily availible. Don't ask questions, just go do it.

4)Pads: No truly cheap solution here. Cheap/inexpensive street pads generally will not get the job done on track.