Why do the Gazoo racing cars use 16s?

[churchx]

mrg666: imho for winter 205/55-16 is still a bit too wide for weight of twins. Better then stock width of 215, but from my experience in snow flush still tended sometimes to "snowplane above" instead of cutting through. As next set gonna try 195/60-16 (as 185 seems too much of a stretch for my winter 16x7 wheel set). Of course, if most one does is going on cleaned tarmac roads, wider may work better, but as i also do tracking on snow & ice tracks, i'm more thinking about maximizing traction there.

[RayRay88]

Don't over think it. The GR series is a budget/entry level race class. Keeping costs down is probably the biggest drive to get them to stick to 16's. Mandated Tire/Wheel combos by sponsors is probably the second biggest factor.

[nikitopo]

Originally Posted by leevanf

Hey Nikitopo, some awesome facts there! I wanted to discuss further, to find out why indeed its on 16s. Is it because out of nowhere, the race mandated 16 + 205/55s? or was it because engineers figured out 16s on 205/55s are indeed the best performance they can get out of the car for a 10 lap race, considering they cant modify the car (no bbk, no engine mods, etc),

My intention is they did it out of maximum functionality versus just race mandates. I got an exhaust and plan to do wheels and tires for my car. But since i want this upgrade to be really functional - hence this much interest in 16s. Because if otherwise, I may end up with 17s.

TWS T66F 16x6 on either 225/50 or 205/55 ContiExtreme/ Advan v105s
TWS T66F 17x8 on either 225/50 or 205/55 ContiExtreme/ Advan v105s
Wedsport TC105N 17x8 on 215/45/17 Michelin PS4
Used JDM STI Wheels 17x7.5 on 215/45/17 Michelin PS4
Rays ZE40 17x8 on 215/45/17 Michelin PS4

are all my choices

I would say best compromise between functionality and comfort, but only if you go with track oriented tires. If you want to build a more daily driven car then the 17s is a better selection. In the 17 size you'll have also more tire choices. The 16 size is abandoned by most tire manufacturers. The only exception is the semi-slick tire category where the 205/55R16 size is still classic

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by nikitopo

The 16 size is abandoned by most tire manufacturers. The only exception is the semi-slick tire category where the 205/55R16 size is still classic

PLENTY of 16" tires available in the U.S.
162 street tires in 205/55-16 at Tire Rack, including 8 Extreme Perf, 9 Max Perf, and 9 UHP summers, plus plenty of all-seasons...
"Only" 43 street tires in 225/50-16 at Tire Rack, 10 Extreme Perf, 6 Max Perf, and 7 UHP summers, and again plenty of all-seasons...

[nikitopo]

Originally Posted by ZDan

PLENTY of 16" tires available in the U.S.
162 street tires in 205/55-16 at Tire Rack, including 8 Extreme Perf, 9 Max Perf, and 9 UHP summers, plus plenty of all-seasons...
"Only" 43 street tires in 225/50-16 at Tire Rack, 10 Extreme Perf, 6 Max Perf, and 7 UHP summers, and again plenty of all-seasons...

Yes, I meant for Summer tires. For Winter usage they are still strong.

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by nikitopo

Yes, I meant for Summer tires. For Winter usage they are still strong.

Selection is as good for 16" summers as it is for oem-size 17s.
205/55-16 summer tires: 8 Extreme Perf, 9 Max Perf, and 9 UHP
225/50-16 summer tires: 10 Extreme Perf, 6 Max Perf, and 7 UHP

215/45-17 summer tires: 8 Extreme Perf, 7 Max Perf, and 9 UHP

[nikitopo]

Originally Posted by ZDan

Selection is as good for 16" summers as it is for oem-size 17s.
205/55-16 summer tires: 8 Extreme Perf, 9 Max Perf, and 9 UHP
225/50-16 summer tires: 10 Extreme Perf, 6 Max Perf, and 7 UHP

215/45-17 summer tires: 8 Extreme Perf, 7 Max Perf, and 9 UHP

I said that most of the recent developed summers tires are not available in the 16" size. For example pilot sport 4s is not available. Even the plain pilot sport 4 was made available only in few Asian markets. In the 16" size summer category you find usually some outdated tires for older cars. Exception is the semi-slick category and the winter tires. A plain number doesn't say anything. If you want to continue this bs you are alone.

[venturaII]

Originally Posted by nikitopo

For example pilot sport 4s is not available.

Good thing there are plenty of other preferable options available, and at better prices, to boot.

[new2subaru]

Originally Posted by venturaII

Good thing there are plenty of other preferable options available, and at better prices, to boot.

Agreed, I run both 205/55 R16 and 225/50 R16 and I find that I have plenty to choose from. No need for 50 tires to look at.

If you want to have some fun run some 205/55 on track The stock tires are fun too!

[mrg666]

Originally Posted by churchx

mrg666: imho for winter 205/55-16 is still a bit too wide for weight of twins. Better then stock width of 215, but from my experience in snow flush still tended sometimes to "snowplane above" instead of cutting through. As next set gonna try 195/60-16 (as 185 seems too much of a stretch for my winter 16x7 wheel set). Of course, if most one does is going on cleaned tarmac roads, wider may work better, but as i also do tracking on snow & ice tracks, i'm more thinking about maximizing traction there.

Tirerack had a very good deal with this size and it matched the stock height very well. That is why I bought. Don't you think 195 tire would stretch a bit on 7" wide wheels though?

[churchx]

Originally Posted by mrg666

Tirerack had a very good deal with this size and it matched the stock height very well. That is why I bought. Don't you think 195 tire would stretch a bit on 7" wide wheels though?

Only slight stretch. 195 on 7" still within safe range suggested by tiremakers.