306 GTI-6 track day wheels and tyres - What's best?????

[L9wul]

Got myself a 306 GTi-6 ~(ph 3) and at present its got 17" wolfrace alloys with 205 - 40 profile tyres.

Did a Cadwell track day last week in it and had no problem with grip but seemed to get high tyre wear on the rubbing edges and tyre walls to the extent where to 2 fronts are KO'd. I have to say that my driving style may be contributing to this but am wondering if a step down to 15 or 16" wheels would be of benefit to allow a slightly higher profile to be used therefore hopefully giving a little more on the wall.

2 questions really - Will this have a big impact on the handling or can tyre pressures be upp'd to counteract this??? and if I go down to 15 or 16's what are the tyres to have - I have need reccomended Toyo R888's which seemed to be the tyre of choice at Cadwell last week.

Any thoughts/advice much appreciated. Cheers

[pdd144c]

Any light weight 15" wheel will be fine, a 195/50/R15 R888 or A048R tyre will be good.

[BazT]

205 wheels?

15s or so will give you a similar rolling radius but more sidewall flex, in theory changing the characteristics before grip is lost, may well help depending on your driving style, as the smaller profile tyres will have less 'give' before just letting go.

[TubbyRutter]

Standard wheels are 6" wide so go for something like a team dynamics pro race 1.2 which come in 15*7 this will help too.

[HereBeMonsters]

I have some 15s for sale actually - 4 x 205 Speedlines (nice and light) 4 x 306 XSi wheels (more modern deisgn, but a bit heavier). Both would suit some R888s on a 306 GTI-6.

If don't mind the look of steelies, I believe C5 base model ones are 15x7 and very light?

[L9wul]

Are the speedlines in good condition etc?? What about the price and whereabouts are ya - thanks for the reply. Cheers

[shalmaneser]

absolute best wheels are Citroen C5 'steels' in 15 inch diameter. These are not actually steel but aluminium instead, and are about £25 a wheel at a dealer. Not sure if they're still produced though so might be worth giving your local dealer a ring.

it's about a 3kg saving per wheel over cyclones. A lot!

they definitely clear the standard 306 brakes too.

[HereBeMonsters]

L9wul said:

Are the speedlines in good condition etc?? What about the price and whereabouts are ya - thanks for the reply. Cheers

Hi, just checked and they are actually the slightly heavier SMRs, but in great condition. A few scuffs, but generally polish up beautifully. Yoko A539s with some meat left on 2 wheels (I'd say 2-3 trackdays if on front), Pirelli P6000s with a bit of tread left (1-2 trackdays if on front). In Southampton, all 4 for £50. Shame they're not Speedlines - they'd go for at least double that!

If you want photos PM me, but I won't be able to get them until tomorrow or Sunday.