Paging Joe_Black re wheels/tires recommendation

[Editor Reid]

Joe, your mail box is full so I couldn't PM this to you...

Joe, I saw in an old post from 2009 that you apparently do some stage rally with your Vehicross. I just bought one and plan to use it on some TSD rallies here in the Pacific Northwest that run on stage-rally type roads (gravel/dirt/snow/etc), and I'm hoping that you can recommend a set of wheels for me.

I would put studded tires on them, and I would not mind a wheel smaller than the 18 inchers I have now and lower profile tires, so as to get a lowered center of gravity and better handling/cornering. The wheels need not be flashy (I'll probably paint them flat black or something).

Can you recommend a source for something that meets this need and isn't real expensive? Thanks.

Reid, Portland OR

[Editor Reid]

OK, thanks, but I'm happy to have anyone's recommendations on this subject. I just happened to run into Joe's name when I searched the forum for "rally".

Anyway, the idea is to lower the vehicle for lower center of gravity and better cornering. I'll be running studded tires.

Which wheels?

Thanks.

[Riff Raff]

For low profile rally-cross racing; I say use your OEM 18x7 rims, and mount some studdable General - Grabber AT2 tires in 285/60R18 (E-load range).

[Chopper]

JB's around....see him on FB all the time
I think the rally days are done.....could be wrong, but ummmmmmm
I don't think so

[Etfren]

From what I've read on other rally forums, wheels are kind of hit or miss. Some guys run their stock wheels for years without any problems, others run aftermarket wheels and bend them up once a month. I don't think the wheels are as important as the tires. I'd look and see what desert race trucks (or some of the other Vehicrosses that have been setup for rally in the past) and see what they are using for wheels and find something you like that will work. I would think a good 16" alloy wheel would be your best bet.

Also, I'm in the same area as you and I've love to know what rallies you are planning to run. I've wanted to get into in for a while now and would be interested to see whats offered around here.

[Editor Reid]

Here are the main rallies that I have run and/or plan to run:

Thunderbird - BC

Night on Bald Mountain - Washington

No Alibi - Washington

Heart of Darkness - BC

Monster's Revenge - Washington

Totem - BC

Raindrop - Washington

Nor'wester - Washington

Oregon 1000 - Oregon (duh)

The Road Not Taken - Oregon

Rally of the Gnu - Alberta (I've never run this one)


A web search should turn up details. These are true TSD events with different classes depending on the equipment you choose to run, everything from Unlimited for those with an "A-Box" (full computer connected to car) to SOP (nothing but the stock odo and speedo, plus timepieces). These rallies run on a combination of pavement and gravel/dirt (or on snow in some cases), but pavement is in the minority. Most are daytime and some are day-into-night. A couple are nighttime.

Check http://pccrally.com/schedule.html

http://www.rainierautosports.com/

http://www.chuckanutscc.org/

http://www.rallybc.com/

[Joe_Black]

The wheels I've used with good success are from a Nissan Frontier and are 15". You have to remove about 1/16" to 1/8" off the inner wheel lip to clear the front A-arms, the rears are no problem. The first rally with these I didn't know this and my front wheels were loose after first run, tightened them up and no problems, found out after putting street wheels back on the A-arms did the milling for me! There's a lot of good tire choices in 15" as well but the weight of the VX is very hard on tires with poor sidewalls so look for actual rally tires. When I'm done with the Ebony Rally Beast (someday!) I plan to use 15" forklift tires. They're inexpensive, start at about 12-play and are easily siped, grooved and studded to your hearts content. And they've got sidewall to spare!

I've cleaned out my PM box so if any questions shoot me your email and I'll answer as best I can.