Wheel width: autocross vs track
 

Did some poking but didn't find what I wanted. Just need a confirmation on: same wheel(say rpf1) same tire(say rs3): wider better for autocross, skinnier better for track? That sounds right to you guys?

As a broad generalization, yes.

Another broad generalization would be what most people run in both situations. 17x9 +35 245/40-17.

I was considering maybe a 17x8 and kinda split the difference. I am running e85 with headers if that matters

Statement to add further detail for consideration

What is your question here?
:search:

I suppose, would this offer any meaningful impact on performs either way or is it so minute as to be pointless and just get 9s

The 9's look better, but I prefer the weight of the 8's and the broader choice of smaller tires. Narrower tires with closer-to-stock offsets feel more playful, too. As long as you get a tire with good compound, it'll be a substantial upgrade over stock, regardless.

I already run autocross with stock wheels and rs3s. But I want to go to the track a couple times this year so I was looking at better wheels. Probably wouldn't get anything until I wore out my rs3s but it never hurt to learn something new.

If you are asking these questions, your skill level is probably not high enough to notice the difference. You want to match the wheel to the tire you plan to run. Either will work fine.

I personally like to pretend I have high skill(like Takumi) so I would go with the 17x9 +35 245/40 setup.

e85 + header doesn't make enough of a significant difference in power to worry about needing wider tires.

If you want to split the difference, do the 17x9 and run a 235 tire. Or at least that's what I did.

And like Jawn said, it does look better.

I figured it would be like that. But I don't want to regret my choice and spend more money later. I prefer to get the best tool top start with even though I can't fully use it. No point in having a handicap

It also sounds like you're going to be autocrossing more than tracking, so I'd be inclined to run 17x9s like basically every one else in STX.

17x9 +35 245/40 is THE one. Don't even consider anything else. All the big boys run this size.