Question: smaller front vs rear tires?, what's the rationale? Options

[nine14cats]

Here's a question that for no particular reason I ask...other than I want to know! I'm sure this board has plenty of suspension guru's... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Question: What is the reason for a smaller size front tire/wheel than the rear? Particularly on race cars? On my street 911, or even race 911's, it's usually real big meats in the back and much smaller in the front, even with fiberglass fenders that can house larger tires up front. On my race only 911, I run the same size slicks all the way around, as do many 914's.

Most track cars seem to run bigger tires in the back, front engine, mid-engine, or rear engine.

Why?

I look forward to the education! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Thanks,

Bill P.

P.S. We were sitting around last night wrenching on the race car and this came up....nobody had a decent answer... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[nine14cats]

Hi Hayden,

Thanks for helping me understand the points based system. I've been looking at other regions that use the system and I am personally okay with it. I actually don't look at it as a negative, but rather overdue considering the years that have gone by since the last review of the Golden Gate Region's class structures.

The reason I am testing so much in other regions is because I have a blast doing it! I like screwing around with the car and not only challenging myself with learning and improving my driving skills, but also my car setup knowledge. It's thrilling to me to make an adjustment, feel a difference, and ultimately improve my time with the adjustment.

I'm hoping I can run a wider wheel/tire combo without adding more points. Given the HP I am running, I think my car is faster with bigger rear tires from the limited testing I've done (I've borrowed tire/wheels from a friend). I also would like to lighten the car after the season if it makes sense in the scheme of things.

Basically, I'm just learning and preparing as quickly and in the best way I know how -- doing it. And although it's all for fun, why else do it, I do want to chase you for TTOD sometime in the future (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

The whole game plan is to be as fast as I can given the resources I have (both mechanical and mental). The mechanical part is coming along fine...it seems the mental part is the one lacking! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

As this is the first year my wife and I have auto-x and TT'd, we've been sorting the car all year. We now are at the point where we have a baseling we can compare changes to. Hopefully the proposed changes can be implemented early in the off-season, allowing ample time for car preparation during the winter.

That's for all your help!

Bill P.