Hi,

I am racing scca in the hstock class and this mini cooper is running r compound slicks... I can't go that route so i am thinking of getting the Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec in 225/50/16 to compensate....i would have gone with the 215/45/16 except they don't make it in that size.... i am running the 205/45/16 right now and i have no problems with rub even on the track...

here my times from the last SCCA meet...


Class: H-STOCK -----------------------------------------------------------------
1t 89/HS His > 39.375 <
06 MINI COOPER (R5 RED RIVER RAIDERS
TIMES: 1) 49.241 2) 40.270 3) 39.632 4) 39.439
5) 39.375

2. 613/HS Mine > 44.841 <
09 HONDA FIT
TIMES: 1) 64.584 2) 47.422( 1) 3) 45.067 4) 44.841
5) 47.216( 1)

3. 0/HS > 45.117 <
04 HONDA INSIGHT ALCHEMISTSRUS
TIMES: 1) 47.925 2) 48.374 3) 45.793 4) 46.247
5) 45.117

(btw....this last time my tires were worn to wear marks and had very little grip therefore the times could be better)

Think it would fit?

 

I highly doubt that is going to work. First, overall diameter is going to go from 24.01 to 24.89 inches. Second, you will be putting a very wide tire on a very narrow rim, thereby compromising the effectiveness of having a wider footprint in the first place. And lastly, IF the tire dosnt mess something up under hard cornering due to larger diameter, it will still not be as sticky as R comp slicks.

You are allowed to change wheels, so get some light and wide wheels with something like Hoosier A6s. Try 15x7s with 225/45-15.

You can get some 15" steelies from a civic or something if you want to keep every last inch of the rulebook happy, as some clubs dont allow wheel changes, but the fit came with steelies and no one will e able to tell the difference between most stock honda wheels. there are lots of great online classifieds (craigslist, grassroots motorsports, racing junk .com, ebay) where you can find people selling wheels and tires cheap. I just got a set of 1 yr old 225/45-15's Hoosiers myself for $80.

Good luck to you! Bring the pain on that Mini!

 

I was pretty much going to type the same info listed in slp950's first paragraph (kudos by the way) but they've hit most of the key areas. The main thing is the factory GE 16 inch Sport isn't very wide, measuring in at 6 inches in width. This limits you to a 205 tire.

I'm not sure what the rulebooks say for different wheels for H-stock but you may be able to use the slightly wider 16 inch accessory wheels offered by Honda for the Fit (HFP for GDs, Mugens for GE, and the other 7 spoke, gunmetal Honda wheel for the GD) or possibly the 16s from other 4x100 lug pattern'ed vehicles such as the MINI Cooper (which generally runs a mid to high 40 wheel offset, but are heavy).

One thing that I've read on here that some auto-x/gymkhana drivers do is disconnect the front sway bar. I haven't done it nor do I personally know anyone who has done it but people have claimed it helps reduce understeer.

Hope some of this helps and/or gives you an idea on what potential changes you can make to get an edge in your class. Best of luck to you in your season.

Also, I just noticed that you're from Houston. If you'd like more seat time or a change of pace from SCCA events, there are some gymkhana events that happen just south of Angleton over at Angleton Raceway. It costs $30 to run, you get 10 timed runs and have the option of getting additional seat time after every driver's 10 runs are over.

Here is a link to the site, it is a work in progress but should be up to date soon. In the mean time, the event's details will be listed on various forums online in addition to the site.

southtexasgymkhana.com - Home

 

thanks for your reply... i have noticed that the honda bspec fits are running the 205/50/15 like you stated... with the bfgoodwrench gforce r1s on them... i sure if i go that route, with additional seat time, i can catch that mini! that guy went to nationals last year so it'll be tough...lol... too bad i am short on cash right now as i am building a 240 w/ a 350 swap...... I'll probably stick with the 205/50/16 with the star specs so i can focus on getting the 240 up and running...

thanks for your input...

 

that doesn't sound too bad... i'll definitely keep an eye out on it... I am really trying to get into auto racing....i racing my fit for now but should have my 240 ready by the end of march or so... and i would like practice drifting so it'll be great... thanks for the heads up...

 

Tire Rack carries the wheels used on the B-Spec Fit:

Wheels for 2010 Honda Fit Base

TRMotorsport C1
15x7 42mm offset
12.8lbs (about 7lbs less than stock Sport alloys)
$89 each (wow!)

The BFGoodrich gForce R1 tire weighs 18lbs in the 205/50/15 size
which is likely lighter than the tire you're currently running by 1-3lbs.

This may also help a bit on the course...

 

Why not look into some 215/45/16s? Might work with some 3-5mm spacers.

For autocross, probably since the miata guys have so few options in width to work with like we do for stock class, it's not uncommon to put slicks with stiff sidewalls, or any high performance tire really, up to 225 and beyond on 6" wide wheels.

 

The issue of availability comes into play as well. There are certain sizes where there simply aren't alot of options, and 215/45-16 is one of those.

Kumho makes the Ecsta XS, Falken has the Azenis RT-615K, dunlop has the DZ101 (not really in the same class as the first two) and... not much else. Unless you want to spend a grand on tires.

I've heard some good things about the Ecsta XS, but don't have any personal experience. I had a set of the frist gen RT615's and I loved those. Price-wise they are running around $140 apiece.

 

Who says you can't run R compound DOT legal slicks?

That was legal in Stock classes when I autocrossed in the late 90s and is still so today.

Get a set of these (205/50-16) and watch your grip problems all but disappear.
Hankook Ventus Z214

 

There is no way that you can match the grip of a R-compound D.O.T. with a Dunlop Direzza - Star Spec.

Your Fit does not have a lot of power and the size and weight of a 225/50 would be detrimental to your performance. Plus the circumference would give you virtually taller gearing....not good.

If you are serious about competing for a win, my recommendation is a set of 205/50-15 Hoosier A6s on a set of TR Motorsports rims. You can gain valuable experience and instruction from these guys:SoloPro Driving School LLC - The price of going to one of their schools will get you more speed for the money than any mod that you are allowed to do to your H-Stocker.

If you are running auto-x "just for fun" it doesn't matter if somebody is faster than you. so run your DD tires and wheels and get some driving experience.