Wheels for ES

Pardon my ignorance but I've been noticing that everybody running slicks in ES are using OEM wheels. From looking at the Rules (maybe I'm looking at the wrong place) the wheels have to be the factory diameter, width and within 1/2 inch of the factory offset, but does it have to be a factory wheel? Would lighter wheels be legal? Buddy has a pair of Kosei's that are 14X6, 38 offset and 9.3 lbs. Would these be legal in ES on my '94? He only has 2, he hit a curb with the other 2 (ouch). Said he was trying to miss a dog. I think he was drunk and trying to miss a pine tree. The one hanging from his rear view mirror. However I can get another 2 from tire rack or somebody easy enough.

You can run aftermarket wheels so long as they are the same size as stock and within the offset tolerence. Stay on street tires for now -- you will learn a lot more. I was on them for two years before switching and it was one of the better decisions in my life.

The offset must be within 1/4". You may use spacers and longer lug bolts to get within the 1/4" offset if you need to.

jrj512 has good advice, stick with the street tires for now. If I were you, I would run Novice for the rest of this year, then Tire class next year. And, be looking for some autocross schools to attend.

On top of what these two guys have already said, they run on stock wheels because stock miata wheels are lighter than alot of aftermarket wheels. Our cars have pretty good wheels to begin with.

I'm considering changing to the Kosei's because a couple of my stock wheels have some curb rash. I just didn't want to buy a set of wheels I couldn't stay in NES or TES with, and there is always the bling factor on a daily driver.;) About the time the Azini's get good and worn in for AX, I might not want to use them in the wet on the street anyway. The 2 wheels he is selling are dirt cheap because he's buying an up size. I guess I'll buy 'em and throw 'em in storage until I make up my mind.

I have a set of 14X6 semi-hollow spokes in my garage I'd be wiling to get rid of, PM me if interested.

Kosei even make 14" rims anymore?? I see one 14" Kosei listed on TireRack.

Creek, I could be wrong but I think your OE wheels have a 45 mm offset. Changing to a 38 mm offset is a 7 mm change. 1/4 inch equals 6.35 mm so that would not be following the rules.

I would not protest it, I'm not perfect either, but there are some who would.

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Originally Posted by Darron65

so that would not be following the rules......

I would not protest it, I'm not perfect either, but there are some who would.

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Nobody will care until you start beating them. :D

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Originally Posted by Darron65

Creek, I could be wrong but I think your OE wheels have a 45 mm offset. Changing to a 38 mm offset is a 7 mm change. 1/4 inch equals 6.35 mm so that would not be following the rules.

I would not protest it, I'm not perfect either, but there are some who would.

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Anyone who would protest over 26 thousandths of an inch offset, deserves the trophy. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by creek

Anyone who would protest over 26 thousandths of an inch offset, deserves the trophy. :rolleyes:

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I agree, but I hear that they'll protest your dip stick at Nationals. If you're only running local events, I wouldn't worry about it.

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Originally Posted by jrj512

I agree, but I hear that they'll protest your dip stick at Nationals. If you're only running local events, I wouldn't worry about it.

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Yep try to sneak one by at the divisional or a national event! I look forward to reading your post about how mean the other kids were to ya. ;)

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Originally Posted by POS Racing

Yep try to sneak one by at the divisional or a national event! I look forward to reading your post about how mean the other kids were to ya. ;)

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If the rest of the divisionals were anything like Pearsall, I think most the competitors would be busy figuring out how to not DNF instead of checking for legality :D

One reason that Stock guys run on OEM wheels it that they have non-stock size wheels for the street.