How to carry 8 wheels (legally)
 

In order to get to our slalom events I sometimes need to carry 8 wheels since the conditions may vary (dry & wet).

So, I made a roof rack which can carry 3 wheels, since a trailer is not legal (if the manual says no, then our authorities won't allow it either). Also, with a trailer the speed limit is lower and there's no speed limit reduction with a roof rack.

3 wheels can be placed on the roof, 4 on the back seat and 1 in the trunk.

I primarily used the Yakima roof rack components suggested in this thread: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15028

I needed to reduced the dimension M2 from 4" to 2.5" and reduced the dimension M3 accordingly. (The sheet metal in the back is a little soft that far back.)

And I also purchased these SNARs in order to fix the part which carries the wheels to the roof rack. https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories.../Y8810135.html

I added 3M polyurethane tape 8672 on the roof where the rubber pads are in order to protect the roof and increase the friction coefficient between the rack and the roof.

Fuel consumption at 120 km/h (75 mph) goes up by about 30% with those wheels on the roof (which also shows how aerodynamically efficient this car is).

I've fit 8 wheels inside the car, I had to use the passenger seat but I got an increase in fuel economy (car sat lower).

Yeah but were they mounted with 255 wide tires? Cause thats about how wide those michelin slicks are.

One set were 245's on 9" wheels and the other were 245's on 8", I wouldn't know if your 255 slicks would work since r comps usually run wide.

Trick is taking out the spare tire (I race on 'street' tires so they are all spares). 2 in the trunk, 4 behind the seats and 2 in the passenger seat.

The tires are 249 mm wide on 9" wide rims. (I don't race on street tires).
I don't even have a spare tire and two of those wheels definitely don't fit in the trunk (the trunk is completely empty - no foam, carpet - nothing, but bare metal).
Besides, I need some space for all the tools and the wife (sometimes she wants to come along too).

You all talking about fitting wheels in the car and all Im thinking here is "damn I wish I could aford michelin slicks".

The Michelins are 333 Euros a piece.
The Avons in a similar size are 292 Euros but softer (possibly too soft).

The Hoosiers A7 cost $295 a piece but shipped to Europe are actually far more expensive (and might be too hard in cold weather anyway).

So, the Michelins are a relatively affordable option as far as sticky R comp tires are concerned (for people who live in Europe).

(There are also Yoko, Hankook and Pirelli R comp options, but they are all too hard and not necessarily cheaper.)