Why are 17 and 18 inch Wheels Considered the best for Performance?

[ironworks]

I would say that as cars get faster and faster you need bigger and bigger brakes to stop the car and 13" used to be the top of the food chain and now you can get 13's all day long. Plus as they are able to improve the design and strength and weigh of the bigger wheels they can run the bigger wheels and still keep the unsprung weigh down of the wheel and the rotor. I think bigger wheels comes with the territory of running bigger brakes.

I would also say there is a benefit with the overall diameter of the tire which you are able to be run which helps with top speed and gear ratio. I think a lower profile tire will not grow at speed as much. You see this alot more in drag racing.

As far as tire widths I would say most of the cars you listed are mid engine, which changes everything from the toys we play with. The Lemans cars we have now racing are so far out there technology wise I don't think you could even compare them to the toys we have. That stuff could kill any street car on the track running on half of it's cylinder and the brakes locked up in the front. As much as we want to think our junk handles it is not even in the same time zone. We just think it handles good. One of my employees buddies is on one of those formula SAE racing teams in the colleges and they have there car running a sustained 2.4 lateral g in the turns. Try that with any street car.

Just my thoughts, whatever they are worth.

Rodger