Before I start talking about everything else, let me tell you a little about myself. I have been working at Tire Rack since 2005.
I first visited the South Bend headquarters in 2003 as a customer looking to buy a set BMW wheels and tires. I was impressed with the showroom and test track, and I thought it would be fun to work here. That idea stayed with me, and within a couple years I joined the team.
Like most of us here, I am a car enthusiast. I really enjoy the tire testing we do here, especially the track tests, and it is fun to talk to enthusiasts from all over the country and around the world.
Recently, Kaze
ra has been adding some very unique finishes to their line-up. Traditional finishes like silver, black and chrome will always have their place in the market, but sometimes you need a wheel that stands out from the crowd. Whether the reason is to draw some extra attention, to horrify traditionalists or just because you want to, it can be a lot of fun to do something unusual with your wheels. So, be adventurous and try something a little bit off the beaten path. A wheel change is not permanent, so if you get tired of them after a few years, you can always put the stock wheels back on or try something else.
The Kazera KZ-Y is the wheel that inspired this post. A black with green face accent is definitely something you don't see every day. But on the right car, it could be a great addition. It could also be a good option for the track. Besides the black with green face accent, Kazera's KZ-Y is available in the following finishes:
If you're looking for something with a similar design, but fewer spokes, take a look at the KZ-P with a bright PVD with blue stripe finish. Bright PVD gives much of the same shine as chrome, but with greater durability. The two-tone finish also adds a unique touch.
Regardless of the look you desire, shop by vehicle to find all options that are a match for your car.
In the first installment of my Goodyear versus Michelin comparison, I focused on car tires. Now, let's take a look at the truck and SUV tires offered by these two heavyweights of the tire industry.
Category: Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season
Contenders: Goodyear Assurance CS TripleTred All-Season vs. Michelin Latitude Tour
Verdict: Goodyear wins this close match-up with superior traction in wet and wintry weather. The same aggressive tread that helps it gain better traction in the worst weather conditions comes with a trade-off in ride and noise comfort. Customers who value a luxury ride and do most of their driving in moderate climates may find that the Michelin suits them better.
Category: Highway All-Season
Contenders: Goodyear Wrangler RT/S vs. Michelin LTX M/S2
Verdict: The Michelin LTX M/S2 wins this category by a wide margin. It's consistently rated near the top of the category for an excellent all-around combination of ride, traction and treadwear.
Category: On-/Off-Road All-Terrain
Contenders: Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor vs. Michelin LTX A/T2
Verdict: Michelin's LTX A/T2 squeaks ahead with better balancing, road manners and longevity with traction on loose surfaces. The Goodyear has a more aggressive tread and would be a more popular choice for those who spend more time off the pavement.
Category: Off-Road Maximum Traction
Contenders: Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar vs. Michelin (none)
Verdict: The highly capable Goodyear wins this one unopposed.
Roundup: In this very close match-up, Michelin wins two categories, while Goodyear also wins two. These categories were extremely close and selection often come down to a driver's preference.
The Hoosier A6 and R6 are two of the most successful DOT-legal racing tires in recent years. A6 and R6 tires look identical, but are designed for different types of competition. How do you know which is best for your vehicle?
The Hoosier A6 was developed with autocross competition in mind. It uses a softer compound for maximum grip and comes up to temperature more quickly to reach optimal grip between 110 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. A6 tires deliver more traction, but give up longevity to do so. In autocross, where runs are extremely short, this lack of longevity is not a problem and allows a set of A6 tires to last for multiple events. Though the tires are generally ready to run when brand new, a light scuff-in can be beneficial.
Hoosier R6 tires are designed for roadrace competition. They have a more durable compound that's better able to hold up to multiple lapping sessions, higher speeds and larger race courses. The R6 should be heat cycled before competition use for the most consistent performance. Tire Rack offers heat cycling service for competition tires. With this service, the tires arrive ready to use.
 Hoosier A6 |
 Hoosier R6 |
Some drivers will also use the A6 on road courses for sprint races or qualifying sessions where a few fast laps are of the utmost importance. Used in this way, the A6 will often be used up in one session. Using the A6 in a roadrace setting is only recommended for experienced drivers who know exactly what they need and are willing to go through a set of tires in one event. Lightweight vehicles with moderate horsepower may also use the A6 in cooler weather when they're not able to get the R6 up to the optimal temperature range of 180-200 degrees Fahrenheit .
Drivers preparing to run Hoosier tires on the track should also read Hoosier's care and feeding document.
When one thinks about tire design, one usually thinks about tread pattern. For those willing to dig a little bit deeper, tread compound and internal construction are at least as important to a tire's performance. How about the design of the letters on the sidewall? Purely cosmetic, right?
Not so, says Dunlop. Their research and testing indicates that the raised letters on the side of the tire contributes to turbulence around the tire. This disruption of the airflow creates drag, increasing the overall air resistance the vehicle must overcome to maintain its speed or accelerate.
With these findings, the new Dunlop Sport Maxx RT has all of its sidewall lettering indented below the surface of the sidewall rather than raised above it. This creates a smoother surface that minimizes turbulence around the tire. How much of a difference will this make? Likely not enough to be noticed by a driver at normal road speeds. However, any extra efficiency is good from a performance and fuel economy point of view.
Also, it doesn't hurt that the design yields a sleek, high-tech appearance for the tire's sidewall. The driver gets some added functional benefits that he or she may not notice, while gaining the very visible benefit of a modern-looking, attractive tire.
View the full-screen image of the tire to see the distinctive sidewall design.
Two of the most recognizable and respected brands in the industry are Michelin and Goodyear. Both brands have their fans, both brands have their detractors, but ask any sampling of people in the United States to name a couple of tire brands and Goodyear and Michelin will probably dominate the responses. A common question that we receive is: "Which brand is better?" The answer depends on the tire category and the specific needs of the driver, but I'll try to give an overview by comparing the top tires from each brand by category. This comparison focuses on categories for cars.
Category: Passenger All-Season
Contenders: Goodyear Assurance TripleTred All-Season vs. Michelin Energy Saver A/S
Verdict: The Goodyear has the advantage in bad weather traction. Michelin's Energy Saver A/S optimizes rolling resistance to slightly enhance fuel economy. Both have very good treadwear and rate well in our customer surveys, but the Goodyear is currently higher. Two strong contenders, however the Goodyear wins with superior traction in bad weather.
Category: Standard Touring All-Season
Contenders: Goodyear (none) vs. Michelin Defender
Verdict: No contest here as Michelin has the number one tire in the class and Goodyear has no entry. Michelin wins by default. Goodyear would need a heroic new entry to unseat the current king of this class.
Category: Grand Touring All-Season
Contenders: Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring vs. Michelin Primacy MXV4
Verdict: These two tires are both excellent entries into the category. I've driven both of these and prefer the Michelin, which also has slightly higher survey results over a larger number of miles. This round goes to Michelin.
Category: High Performance All-Season
Contenders: Goodyear Eagle GT vs. Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S
Verdict: The Eagle GT is solid but the Pilot Exalto A/S remains one of the best all-around tires in the category. It blends ride, handling and traction in a wide variety of conditions. The Pilot Exalto A/S takes this round for Michelin as well.
Category: Ultra High Performance All-Season
Contenders: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric All-Season vs. Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus
Verdict: These tires are both right in the top tier of the category. We have not tested them directly against one another, and the Goodyear is relatively new. Both earned similar results against other tires in the category in tests one year apart. This one is too close to call.
Category: Max Performance Summer
Contenders: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 vs. Michelin Pilot Super Sport
Verdict: This is an excellent match-up of two of the newest and stickiest tires in the Max Performance Summer category. The Michelin won their head-to-head test, and having done some of the driving for the test, I agree with the results. Honorable mention to the Goodyear, which is an excellent tire in its own right, but the Pilot Super Sport is the class of the field right now.
Category: Extreme Performance Summer
Contenders: Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar G: 2 vs. Michelin (none)
Verdict: Goodyear makes the Supercar G: 2 in very few sizes, but does enough to take the category unopposed. Any tire that looks this cool merits some points in a brand shoot by virtue of the halo effect it brings to the brand:
Roundup:
- Goodyear wins two categories: Passenger All-Season and Extreme Performance Summer.
- Michelin wins four categories: Standard Touring All-Season, Grand Touring All-Season, High Performance All Season and Max Performance Summer.
Whether you're a Goodyear or Michelin fan, both brands provide great options. Choose the tire from the brand you like that best suits how and where you drive.
Looking to get rid of the empty space between the tire and fender arch? Many people think they need to use taller tires to fill the space, but the right way of doing this is with lowering springs. A well tuned set of lowering springs will make the car look better, handle better and unlike oversized tires, it will not make the speedometer, odometer and other systems overestimate vehicle speed and mileage.
The good folks from Eibach dropped by to visit us last week and reminded us of all the wonderful things they do. All Eibach springs, from the popular Pro-Kit springs for street cars, to the special titanium springs they make for the Bugatti Veyron, to the custom springs they manufacture for the premier professional racing series are built to the same standards of quality and durability.
If your car is a daily driver, the Eibach Pro-Kit Spring Set is one of the best options available. It gives a nice boost to performance without compromising ride quality. The lowering is usually between 1" and 1.5" depending on the application. This amount of lowering generally doesn't require any special alignment parts to be added in order to obtain a proper alignment. It's recommended to have an alignment done after the springs are installed.
View all Eibach products and choose the one that best fits your vehicle.
Hotchkis has a long and successful history of offering suspension upgrades for domestic muscle cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, European performance vehicles and Japanese sport compact vehicles. Now they're bringing their expertise in tuning for domestic muscle cars to the wheel market. Launching in 2013, the Hotchkis wheel line-up consists of the H-Sport, Y- Sport and S-Sport. These wheels are designed to fit the current crop of domestic muscle cars: Mustang, Camaro and Challenger.
H-Sport wheels come in a black or silver finish and feature a distinctive 13-spoke design. The Y-Sport is the Hotchkis interpretation of the classic motorsport-style Y-spoke design. Finish options for this wheel include matte graphite silver and machined face with matte graphite accent. Finally, the S-Sport utilizes a sporty and classic split five-spoke design. It comes in a traditional silver finish and a machined with black accent.
As I enjoy playing around and putting wheels on vehicles, I'm especially fond of the Hotchkis S-Sport in machined with black accent on a black Dodge Challenger. View all the new Hotchkis wheels and find the one that you like best for your muscle car!
The Dunlop Sport Maxx Race is a racing tire that is street legal. Unlike some other race tires that are DOT-legal but not intended for road use, the Sport Maxx Race is able to be driven to and from the track. This tire performs excellently on dry roads and was introduced as the stock tire for the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series. Dunlop has recently expanded their offerings for the widths ranging from 235mm to 325mm.
These tires are a class up from Extreme Performance Summer tires that offer a balance of street longevity and track performance. The Dunlops are more track focused and have less longevity on the street. While we haven't had the opportunity to test the Sport Maxx Race yet, we have received some very positive customer feedback. In a recent review, one owner writes:
"Though it is soft and wears quickly, it is actually quite comfortable and not very loud at all. I have two sets of wheels/tires; one for the street and another for track. Other than the price and how quickly they wear, I can't find a single fault with this tire. It is designed for the track, and is only DOT-certified so that you can drive your car to the track, instead of trailering it there. The Sport Maxx is the best tire of its kind, in my experience."
While it's definitely not a tire for everyone based on price and limited treadlife, it could be just the ticket for a dedicated enthusiast. View available sizes to see if the Dunlop Sport Maxx Race is an option for your vehicle.
When street cars go to the racetrack, the brakes are often the weakest link. While a street car's brakes usually only need to deliver maximum braking force from high speed on emergency occasions, a car on a racetrack uses maximum braking repeatedly, often with very little time to cool down. Overheated brakes quickly lose stopping power, which can lead to slower lap times and/or frightening moments.
Tire Rack has been carrying StopTech pads and rotors, and now we are pleased to add their Big Brake Kits. Available in rotor diameters from 322mm-380mm (12.7"-15"), they're available for a wide variety of performance-oriented applications. To check brake products available for your car, shop by vehicle.
Engineered to the highest standards, StopTech emphasizes rigidity in their calipers for reliable performance under demanding conditions. Their calipers feature a patented bolt-in bridge that enhances stiffness and allows easy access to the brake pads for efficient pad changes.
The multi-piston calipers use differential piston diameters to precisely manage clamping force across the pad face. This minimizes uneven brake pad wear, particularly taper wear, for consistent performance over the life of the brake pads. The StopTech kits are vehicle-specific designs that maintain optimum brake balance and are 100% compatible with ABS and stability control systems. Calipers can be ordered in red or black finishes.
Two-piece rotors feature an iron ring under the brake pads for optimum heat dissipation with an aluminum hat to save weight. The iron outer ring is replaceable, while the center hat is retained and bolted to the the new outer ring. Rotors are available in slotted or drilled styles.
When upgrading your brakes, it's important to make sure that your wheels will fit the new, larger rotor and caliper. You may need bigger wheels than stock to fit the bigger rotors and calipers. StopTech has templates available to check the fit for your wheels. These kits are built to order, so please allow 2-3 weeks lead time when making your purchase.
If you're thinking about ordering a big brake upgrade, you can look forward to shorter stopping distances, greater fade resistance, better modulation and a firmer brake pedal. In addition, the big brakes with red or black painted calipers will enhance the appearance of your vehicle. They look especially good behind large diameter wheels with open designs. Take a look at our complete line of StopTech products.
Do you frequently swap wheels for your BMW or MINI? Anyone who has made the change has probably noticed that lining up the wheel with the lug holes for proper insertion of lug bolts can be a nuisance. You can fiddle with it freehand, or add one extra tool and an extra step to insert a guide pin into one of the lug holes and slide the wheel over that. Either way, you'll find yourself wishing for the simplicity of a traditional lug stud and lug nut arrangement.
Whether you're changing winter and summer packages seasonally, or changing from street wheels to track wheels and back, switching from the factory lug bolts to a stud kit will save you time and trouble. Should you happen to cross-thread a nut, the nut and stud can be replaced more easily than a hub that has had a cross-threaded bolt screwed in.
These kits are currently available in 14x1.25 for models using the fine thread M14 studs. This includes many newer-model BMWs, as well as MINIs built after May 2005. They're available in black (shown above) and polar light.
Important Note: Many BMWs used 12x1.5 thread pitch. Make sure to verify the thread specifications for your BMW before ordering or attempting installation.
Havoc. Tyrant. Beast. The names evoke boldness and aggression. New to our lineup for the first quarter of 2013, WORX wheels back up their attention-grabbing names with extroverted styling.
Headquartered in Fullerton, California, WORX takes pride in its workmanship and offers unique styling with a healthy dose of attitude and attention to detail. Available to fit a broad range of light trucks and SUVs, they are offered in chrome and black finishes.
While the broad strokes will catch your eye first, they also feature subtler touches like surface details on the spokes and milled or machined accents on black-finished wheels. All WORX wheels are covered by a lifetime structural warranty.
A set of WORX wheels with an aggressive tire like the Dick Cepek Crusher would make a Tire & Wheel Package that sets your truck apart from the pack.
View all available WORX styles and enter your vehicle information to see which one is a match for your truck.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, we attended the launch event for the new BFGoodrich g-Force Rival. I was able to share some initial impressions in that post, with further testing to follow. Our official report on the results of our day at the track is now online.
With skidpad results above 1g of lateral grip, the data backs up my initial impression of the Rival's impressive grip levels. Its traction level was slightly behind that of a pure race tire, but well ahead of even an ultra high performance street tire.
Our photo and video team were on hand to document all the fun we had putting the tires through their paces. The photo at the left and our video provide some samples of our time at NOLA Motorsports Park.
The g-Force Rival is a true example of the Extreme Performance Summer category: street friendly, track capable and emphasizing ultimate dry grip.
Stay tuned for our in-house test results once the weather warms up!
Here at Tire Rack, we built our business on higher performance tires for more exotic applications. The inventory expanded over the years as we also carry tires that are targeted toward regular cars used for everyday transportation, and tires for the enthusiast on a budget.
Fuzion, the entry level brand from Bridgestone, often has the best-priced tires in a given size. Though not as well known as its older siblings from Bridgestone and Firestone, Fuzion tires offer an excellent value. The Fuzion Touring is a smooth riding, all-season tire that's very aggressively priced, while the UHP is Fuzion's new Ultra High Performance All-Season tire designed for sporty handling combined with capability in cold weather and light snow.
Kumho has been a stalwart in the performance-per-dollar arena. Little known when they first came to the United States, they have built a loyal following over the past decade or so. Their Ecsta 4X is often my go-to selection for a value-oriented all-season performance tire. The Solus KR21 does consistently well in surveys among customers needing a regular all-season passenger tire.
Among light trucks and SUVs, the Yokohama Geolandar H/T-S G051 has an excellent combination of long treadwear, reliable performance and an excellent price. With each option fitting into most budgets, you're getting a great tire for your vehicle as each is currently ranked in the top ten in their class.
To see what options are available for your application, shop by size.
Our database of Recommended Installers is always improving. We recently got all of our listed installers signed up for our Price Pledge program, to make sure everyone is able to fairly compare installation costs between different shops. Installers who participate in the Price Pledge program agree to display exact quotes for installation services based on tire aspect ratio. That's the middle number of your tire size. To learn more about a tire's aspect ratio, read "Tire Size Guide." Additional or optional related installation fees are also displayed. These services may include valve stems, disposal of old tires and service of TPMS sensors.
We have also recently added a map feature to our web search, so that you can easily see which locations are most convenient. This is especially helpful if the shop has an address that is not on a well-known street. As always, we accept customer reviews regarding your experience at the installers we work with. Reviews are averaged on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Shops that maintain an average of at least 4.5 stars out of 5 are highlighted as Price Pledge Plus installers. These are listed at the top of the search results for their local area. But first, all Recommended Installers must meet our uncompromising criteria:
- Use proper mounting and balancing equipment including touchless or rim clamp, European-style tire changers and high-speed computer spin balancers.
- Employ properly trained technicians capable of safely performing damage-free installations.
- Be an automotive business that can offer additional services to customers (alignments, complete repairs, auto detailing, etc.)
- Possess a positive attitude and the ability to treat Tire Rack's customers with the highest level of professional courtesy.
Find a Recommended Installer near you!
On January 22nd, I flew down to New Orleans to attend the launch of the BFGoodrich g-Force Rival. The event was held at NOLA Motorsports Park with wonderful hospitality from BFGoodrich. They had a full team to provide background on the mission and development of the tire. We started with a presentation on the new tire, and then had the opportunity to take part in four driving demonstrations: skidpad, short autocross, long autocross and road course.
The presentation highlighted the goals of the g-Force Rival as a tire that can be driven on the street and also be effective on the track and during competition. Its focus is on maximum dry traction. While the tire can be used in the wet, the dry is where it truly shines.
Each driving exercise served as a demonstration of the Rival's capabilities. Skidpad testing is pretty basic, just drive around in circles as fast as you can. Even though it may seem simplistic, it's an excellent way to really feel the characteristics of a tire. In addition to a simple test of how sticky they are, it gives plenty of time to push tires past their limits of grip in a controlled way, and then observe how they recover.
Testing during short autocross showcased steering response and durability as we flogged the cars around numerous tight corners. The road course highlighted stability under braking as we hauled the cars down from speeds much higher than those on the skidpad. We ended the day on the long autocross which provided an excellent synthesis of all-around handling with a varied mix of corners.
Through a full day of testing, the most impressive characteristics of the BFGoodrich g-Force Rival were:
- Precise turn-in - Thanks to very stiff sidewalls, initial turn-in and transitional response were direct and immediate. Stiff sidewalls are something that I especially like in a performance tire, so this was a big plus to me
- Excellent durability - We were able to inspect the tread before and after each event. The g-Force Rival seemed to wear very well, and was especially impressive for how evenly it wore. These tires took a beating and we were encouraged to push them to and past their limits to test their ability to recover. Treadlife during street driving likely won't be as long as basic passenger tires because of the sticky compound, but they seem to be well built to take abuse on the track.
- Usable grip - The Rival delivered excellent grip across a wide range of slip angles, meaning that grip doesn't drop off too suddenly if you miss the sweet spot. It had a forgiving nature that indicates a pretty wide band of usable grip.
It'll be exciting to see how the BFGoodrich g-Force Rival compares to competitors like the new Dunlop Direzza ZII on our test track later this year!
The Verde Parallax has been added to our lineup of aftermarket wheels for 2013. This wheel has an attractive, clean five-spoke design, with each spoke divided into two parallel spokes. All Verde Parallax wheels feature a machined face with black accents. The machined spokes are highlighted against the black background, making them the visual focus of the design.
Verde, established in 1981, has committed itself to excellence throughout the production process, from research and design through final production. This dedication has resulted in both ISO/TS16949 certification and recognition internationally via certification by the International Standards Organization. Their factory was built in 2002 as a fully integrated production line with R & D, tooling, casting, CNC machining, polishing, chrome plating, painting, packaging and warehouse logistics capabilities.
While this wheel is listed as new for the spring of 2013, there are already a few in stock. Pricing for the Parallax currently ranges between the $170 to $200*. The wheel is available in rim diameters of 19" and 20". You can shop by vehicle to view the offerings available for your car.
* Prices subject to change
We have been eagerly awaiting the Dunlop Direzza ZII, which will replace the Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec. The Z1 Star Spec is a longtime favorite, and I even owned a set myself. However, the Extreme Performance Summer category is very competitive and Dunlop wants to stay a step ahead of its competitors.
In preparation for the launch of this new model, we had the chance to do some preliminary testing of the Direzza ZII against the Z1 Star Spec to get a feel for how the new option compares to the older one. The biggest improvement we noticed was in steering response and predictability.
The new tire was faster to respond to driver inputs and imparted greater confidence with its traction and stability. This resulted in noticeable improvements in both wet and dry lap times. We weren't able to run enough laps to begin to see significant wear on either tire, however what there was already showed the Direzza ZII wearing at least as well as the Z1 Star Spec.
Faster and more predictable in the dry and wet, and at least equal wear rate shows that Dunlop hit the mark with the Direzza ZII. Stay tuned as we'll be doing a full road, dry and wet track comparison later this year to see how this newer tire compares with other options in the Extreme Performance Summer category. The Dunlop Direzza ZII is expected to arrive in mid-to-late January, with more sizes filling out the lineup as we approach spring.
To see our initial report of the tire, read "Dunlop Direzza ZII Introductory Track Drive."
Often times I receive calls from customers who are curious about changing the wheel size on their vehicle. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about the difference in wheel sizes:
Can I use a different wheel size than what came on my car? Yes. There are often sizes that'll work very well on a vehicle even though they were not originally installed on it. When you search by vehicle on our website, all the options listed have been verified to fit. This also allows us to show you the specific price for the wheel you need for your vehicle.
Why do you need to know my vehicle? We need to know your vehicle to ensure a proper fit. Experience has taught us that searching by wheel size, offset and/or bolt pattern alone aren't specific enough criteria to ensure an exact fitment. Attention to detail prevents vibration, wheel and tire interference and unbalanced handling. Read "Why Shop for Wheels by First Selecting a Vehicle?" to see what we check so the wheels you order are a fit for your car.
How does Tire Rack know what will fit my vehicle? So glad you asked! Because there are numerous wheel/vehicle combinations, this often means each wheel has to be individually tested on the vehicle either manually or electronically using Computer Aided Deign (CAD) data. Some of the items we verify to ensure a proper fit include:
- Bolt Pattern
- Centerbore Diameter
- Hub Diameter
- Load Capacity
- Lug Hardware
- Suspension Components Clearance
Take a look at "How We Know What Fits" to see how we offer Tire & Wheel Packages that are specifically designed for your vehicle.
Will the new size throw off my speedometer/odometer? No. If you stick with a proper plus- or minus-sized tire, the speedometer and odometer will still function correctly. To learn more about this topic, check out our tech article, "The Plus Concept."
Will I have to change anything else on my vehicle? Typically, the answer is no. The vast majority of our wheel fitments will bolt right on. We do list some specialized wheel fitments that are designed for vehicles used in racing, with lifted suspensions or modified fenders. Any wheels requiring modification are noted as such.
Will my vehicle's ride or handling be affected? It depends on the size. Plus or minus one inch from the original wheel is not usually very noticeable. Bigger wheels generally have sportier handling but a harder ride. Smaller wheels have a softer ride and more flex in the tire's sidewall.
I shopped for a Tire & Wheel Package, but I only see wheels. What's going on? Creating a Tire & Wheel Package is a two-part process. First, you choose the wheel you want, then you choose a tire to go with it. As tire enthusiasts, we don't believe that the same tire is right for every driver, so we let you choose the tire that's best for you.
The RC-G4 is Enkei Racing Series' design for rally use. It's constructed using Enkei's MAT technology for optimum strength and light weight.
MAT combines Enkei's MAP (Most Advanced Production) and flow-forming forging technology. MAP is a highly automated system. Each process is connected in a single-piece flow system that transports wheels from the melting process, through heat treatment and on to machining. The flow forming process produces a finer, more even aluminum structure, yielding a light yet strong wheel.
In addition to advanced manufacturing, the RC-G4 has been carefully designed for the demands of rallying. The large center area helps prevent debris and gravel from lodging in the brake system, while the many short spokes optimize strength and allow cooling air to reach the brakes.
Enkei's state-of-the-art construction and quality control, combined with carefully optimized design give these wheels excellent resistance to impacts, stresses and damage.
The contour of the barrel and face of the wheel are designed to optimize brake clearance. This allows for the largest possible calipers and rotors within a 15" wheel. Proven in use on Group N rally cars, these wheels are truly race ready!
Winter is the coldest and darkest time of the year. That makes it the perfect time for some of our new products to help keep the cold, gloom and lethargy at bay.
Just because the weather is colder doesn't mean that you have to give up on outdoor activities. Our new Sport-Tek® Sport-Wick Stretch Half-Zip Pullovers are perfect as an outer layer when exercising in milder winter weather, or as an inner layer in more severe winter conditions.
The moisture wicking Sport-Tek material keeps you dry, while the 10% spandex allows the garment to move with you without slowing you down. These high-tech pullovers are available in both a black and grey color for men and women.
Sunset comes early this time of year. Safe driving requires looking ahead to be prepared for any upcoming obstacles. Driving on snowy or icy roads means that you will need extra time to complete any necessary braking or steering. When driving at night, do your car's headlights project far enough down the road?
If the answer is no, the Hella Optilux H.I.D. Driving Kit may be the solution. These compact driving lamps utilize the same xenon technology found in high-end H.I.D. headlights. With their compact size, light weight and durable construction, these lights are designed to stand up to the most demanding conditions. The kit comes complete with mounting instructions, mounting brackets and wiring harness.
