Track Day Tyres

[Tom74]

I have some previous alloys for my MINI cooper s which are 18x7 and a quick search doesn't come up with any track tyres that would fit on these rims?

They would not need to be road legal, so a full slick would be even better, but the smallest rim width I can find is 7.5". Would the extra half inch too narrow be accident prone on a track?

Any help appreciated!

[mrmr96]

I can't see why 7.5inch wide tyres would't be just fine on 7inch wide rims.

[Ian_sUK]

Bear in mind that most TDO wont allow slicks without a cage (no idea if you car has a cage)

Also 18" is quite big (and expensive), whats the smallest wheels you can fit over your brakes?

[mrmr96]

Ian_sUK said:

Bear in mind that most TDO wont allow slicks without a cage (no idea if you car has a cage)

Also 18" is quite big (and expensive), whats the smallest wheels you can fit over your brakes?

Not true.

_Most_ which I've research last week are either a blanket "yes" or a blanket "no".

[Tom74]

The car had 18"'s on it when I bought it, I have since put 16" wheels and tyres on but thought that I could fit some slicks/trackday tyres to the old set of rims.
It does seem as if the majority of tyres will be too wide, they all say the optimum width is 8" with 7.5 being the minimum.

[mrmr96]

Agreed, I think an 8" tyre on a 7" rim could be a potential hazard.

[R1chardP]

Have you tried Avon (http://www.avonracing.com/car_page.aspx)? If you give them a ring they might have some advice or know someone who can do them for you. I've found them quite helpful in the past.

[ctsdave]

For motorsport use, we've always ran the tyres at around 1" wider than the wheel width, and never suffered any problems!?? This has been the case on an MGB V8 running 11" slicks and road legal tyres over 10" rims (16" diameter) in the past, to now the same on a TVR with 18" diameter wheels (again, both slicks and R888's).

Hope this helps.