Re: 17" tires...

["Graydon D. Stuckey" <graydon@apollo.gmi.edu>]

On Fri, 2 Feb 1996, Richard Funnell wrote:

> It's worth noting that the relationship between wheel and tire width will
> affect the feel of the tire.  I believe that in general, a tire will feel
> softer and have greater slip angles on a narrow wheel.
> 
Richard,

	This is correct.  I've driven an '86 RX7 with 15x6 stock wheels, 
adn 225/50-15 BFG R1 tires.  It did feel a little vague (although not as 
bad as I expected - those new R1s have VERY stiff sidewalls.  His tire 
mounting techy was not a happy camper!) but the stick was incredible.  I 
have also driven my old '83 RX7 with 13x8 wheels and 20x7 racing slick 
tires, and it felt VERY direct, but didn't stick any better than the 225 R1s.

	As another example, the Corvette has front tires that are an inch 
or so narrower on the front than the rear for improved steering 
response.  However, the Z07 Autocrosser's package includes front tires 
that are the same size as the rears, becauser, although it doesn't feel 
as "good", it does stick better in the turns.

Later,								
Graydon D. Stuckey								
graydon@apollo.gmi.edu								
Flint, Michigan   USA
'86 Audi 5000 CS Turbo Quattro, GDS Racing Stage II				
'85 Mazda RX7 GS 12A-leaning-towards-a-13B-soon