The weekend started out with 40 degree temps on Saturday with a very damp track as a result of massive flooding type rain only days before. The track was cold, green and slippery but I could immediately tell a difference. It was GRIP! Although I didn't set any personal records that day, I could tell that the car was handling substantially better. It was more comfortable to drive and definately felt like it had more to give.
The following day found slightly warmer temps in the high forties and very low fifties and it had dried more. With qualifying cut short due to an accident, I had little time on my new rims and tires for the race. But once the race started, I could tell the new rims and tires had transformed my third gen into a whole new car. The car was more stable in the turns and definately gave me substantially more grip in braking. When the race was over, I had managed to snag a third place and, at my home track, I had beat my fastest lap time by nearly one whole second. Not only was my fastest lap faster, but in 6 of 20 laps, I had beat my best time ever!
I know there was a lot of debate about whether the extra weight of these larger tires were worth the benefit of the wider tire, but now I can tell you, the debate is over. If you don't believe the lap times, I can tell you my traqmate data proved it as well. G loads left, right and under braking all increased. I've attached the data.
2012 on 16"
2013 on 17"
I have to thank Paul from CTW for getting these wheels manufactured. They are going to let the third gens actually give the fourth gens a run for their money. Plus, they look awesome as well.
