Autox for Cincy Sunday event?

[sirocco@telocity.com (Randy B)]

Ok, wider is better for cornering because of the greater contact patch and=
=20
therefore more traction given the same tire brand for each size.
I can totally see this being a benefit on an autoX course.
However, will this slow you down on a roadcourse where you have many long=20
straight away sections, overcoming the added weight and increased tire=20
friction.
Hmmm.........ok, if you have two cars accelerate down a 1/2 mile stretch=20
(from a rolling start), one with say 175/70/13's and one with 195/50/15's=20
would one accelerate faster than the other due to the weight/friction thing?
My intuition tells me that the car with the 175's should pull ahead, does=20
this sound logical assuming there were no straightline traction problems.?
I agree that in any corner the wider tire'd car will prevail, but at what=20
size does the wider tire actually slow you down on the straight enough that=
=20
the traction you gain in the corners isn't worth the loss on the straight=20
(Gawd I hope that made sense, LOL)?? This is all assuming a 130hp Scirocco=
=20
and not a 630hp P-917K :^)

I will probably stick to the 14X7" rim for now but may change to a wider=20
14" wheel in the future (10.1" brakes).
Actually I did need some coffee and aspirin this mornin', late night out on=
=20
Sat.
Sorry to come across a little grumpy.

Randy

At 04:31 PM 02/03/2002 -0500, Shawn C Meze wrote:

>On Sun, 03 Feb 2002 11:52:14 -0800 Randy B <sirocco@telocity.com> writes:
>
> >I agree based on the spec's I've seen and the tread width that a
> >195/55/14 would be optimal for a 7" wide rim.
> >I am not a "green" newbie but I am not a seasoned veteran like you
> >either.=3D
> > :D
>
>
>I know your not, thats why I said what I said. You might notice some
>wierd behavior on corners or, you might not.
>
>
>
> >Wider is better if you have the HP to overcome the added
> >weight/aerodynamic drag/frictional drag...Mkay?
>
>
>Partially true. Wider ia better for all the reasons I said. More contact
>patch will always allow more momentum thru a corner. (Given the
>suspension will help make the tires work correctly.)
>
>
> >My question was whether or not I would "lose"
> >performance/speed/cornering=3D20
> >due to the above factors with my relatively "low" HP car.
>
>
>I know. I anwsered it. its all relative to what width rim you have. If
>you had a 14X8 or 9 then the larger tires would work great.
>
>
> >And yes, I am referring to TRACK duty (roadcourse/AutoX) and NOT the
> >street.
>
>Again, I know. I was tryingto aviod a zillion reply's from people talking
>about anything OTHER than what were talking about. Dude, are you tracking
>with me here or do you need a bucket of coffee?
>
>
> >I see your point and will wait till I get that VW W-12 installed
> >before switching to the 225/50/15's ;)
>
>
>You only need 8" or 9" wheels to use the 225's. 8's are on the narrow
>side, 9's would be better. 10's would allow for some other choice tire
>sizes. Thats another thread.
>
>
>Shawn M=E9ze
>86' Jetta GLi 8V     84' Scirocco 8V    88' Corvette -SS 30- 2001 SDR
>Solo2 Champion
>82' Scirocco GTi -FSP 54-     79' "Project FSP Scirocco"
>The Fastest, Quickest, Cleanest and best looking Scirocco(s) in all of
>San Diego!
>http://www.Geocities.com/MotorCity/Speedway/1308/index.htm
>
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