When we cover an event on Speedhunters, every now and then we like to focus on some of the micro aspects of a particular car style or genre. Sometimes it’s paint design or engine components, but most commonly we take a look at the wheels affixed to various cars.
Each sector of automotive culture has their own iconic wheel designs, and during last weekend’s Buttonwillow track event I decided to spend some time walking around the paddock seeing what types of wheels and tires are commonly found at a typical track day in 2015.
While we’ve done stories like this a few times before at car shows, it felt even more enjoyable doing it at a track day. Rather than being polished to the nth degree, these wheels were dirty and caked in brake dust, with form meeting function in the best of ways. So without further delay, let’s take a look at some of the coolest wheel and tire setups from Saturday’s Extreme Speed Track Events gathering…
18-inch RAYS Volk Racing TE37 with Hankook Ventus RS-3 on a E46 BMW M3
Why not start with one of the most iconic motorsport wheels of all time, the RAYS Volk Racing TE37 – in this case mounted on a Laguna Seca Blue M3.
17-inch Enkei RPF1 with Yokohama Advan Neova on an AP2 Honda S2000
Another wheel design which never seems to go out of style is Enkei’s RPF1, and they look right at home fitted to this Formula Red S2000.
17-inch RAYS Volk Racing CE28N with Yokohama Advan Neova on an AP1 Honda S2000
The TE37 might be Volk Racing’s most recognizable design, but the classic 10-spoke look of the CE28N is not far behind.
15-inch 949 Racing 6UL with Federal 595 RS-R on a NA Mazda Miata
You’ll notice that the majority of the wheels in this story come from Japanese manufacturers, but California’s own 949 Racing has made quite a name for itself with its line of lightweight 6UL wheels.
17-inch RAYS Volk Racing TE37RT with Hankook Ventus TD Z221 on a Scion FR-S
Here we have another set of TE37s, these ones being the RT model as easily identified by their Burning Red finish.
15-inch RAYS Gram Lights 57DR with Hanook Ventus R-S3 on a DC2 Acura Integra
While the majority of modern track cars are running 17-inch wheels at a minimum, it’s cool to see companies like RAYS continuing to support compact car enthusiasts with products like the 15-inch 57DR from its Gram Lights range.
Function Leads To Form
17-inch RAYS Volk Racing CE28N with Hankook Ventus R-S3 on a Subaru Impreza STI
Purple or blue? Whatever it is, these CE28Ns look all business on this STI with a nice contrast against its gold Brembo brake calipers.
17-inch WedsSport TC105N with Hankook Ventus R-S3 on a Scion FR-S
Not to be overlooked is WedsSport, whose wheels could be found fitted to a number of the cars at the track on Saturday, including this FR-S.
17-inch RAYS Gram Lights 57 Xtreme with Nitto NT01 on a Subaru Impreza STI
Another selection from RAYS’ Gram Lights catalog, this one a set of 57 Xtremes fitted to a Subaru STI.
18-inch Enkei RC-T4 with Yokohama Advan on a Scion FR-S
The Enkei RC-T4 is not a wheel you see often because Enkei USA doesn’t offer it stateside. It’s kind of a shame, because it’s a cool, unique-looking wheel as demonstrated on Cusco’s FR-S demo car.
18-inch RAYS Volk Racing TE37SL with Hankook Ventus R-S3 on a E46 BMW M3
The TE37 strikes again, this time in SL form on another E46 M3.
17-inch RAYS Volk Racing CE28RT Black Edition with Hankook Ventus R-S3 on an AP1 Honda S2000
With so many variations of Volk Racing wheels on the market these days, it can actually be tough to keep track of them all. Here’s a set of CE28RT Black Editions on an S2000.
18-inch TWS Motorsport T66-F with Hankook Ventus R-S3 on a Subaru WRX
TWS is a company that’s not very well known in the US yet, but the Japanese brand has taken its home country by storm. Here’s a set of forged T66-Fs on a ’15 WRX.
15-inch Jongbloed Racing Wheel with Maxxis Victra RC-1 on a BMW E30
Jongbloed Racing wheels might be designed specifically for race use, but that doesn’t mean they don’t look good. These 15s look postiviely mean poking out beneath the fenders of an E30 BMW.
18-inch Enkei RS05RR with Yokohama Advan Neova on a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
Here’s a set of Enkei RS05RRS looking their best with a concave face on an Evo X.
18-inch Advan Racing RSII with Hankook Ventus R-S3 on a Subaru Impreza STI
Yokohama’s Advan brand might be known foremost for high performance tires, but we all know that their wheels are equally impressive.
Rolling Attack
17-inch RAYS Volk Racing CE28N with Yokohama Advan Neova on an AP2 Honda S2000
Ah yes, Takata Green CE28Ns – the wheels that make images of JGTC cars run through your head.
17-inch Desmond Regamaster Evo with Nitto NT01 on a FC3s Mazda RX-7
Want a period look for your ’80s/’90s Japanese sports car? Look no further than a set of Regamaster Evos, as modeled on this FC3S.
18-inch CCW Classic with Nitto NT05 on a Chevrolet Camaro SS
American-made forged wheels on a V8-powered pony car. Not a bad combination.
15-inch 949 Racing 6UL with Maxxis Victra RC-1 on a NA Mazda Miata
Here we have another set of 949 Racing 6ULs, this time on a race-prepped Miata with Maxxis competition tires.
17-inch Enkei RPF1 with Nitto NT01 on an AP2 Honda S2000
Brake dust or not, these gold-finished RPF1s look choice on a Laguna Blue S2000.
15-inch RAYS Volk Racing TE37SL with Hankook Ventus R-S3 on a DC2 Acura Integra
A red car with blue wheels might not sound like an aesthetically pleasing combo, but in practice it works quite well. Extra points for the Spoon brakes on this Integra.
17-inch Enkei PF01 Evo with Nitto NT01 on a Scion FR-S
A white car with white wheels always looks cool, as demonstrated on this Enkei-equipped FR-S.
17-inch Kosei K1/Buddy Club P1 with Achilles 123S on an Eagle Talon TSi
I’ve always liked these Kosei/Buddy Club wheels as they show that you can get quality wheels on a budget without having to go the knock-off route.
17-inch WedsSport TC105N with Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 on a Scion FR-S
Dust and dirt is just part of the Buttonwillow experience, as these WedsSports and Bridgestones show.
18-inch Enkei NT-03+M with Hankook Ventus on a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Another one of Enkei’s iconic wheel designs, and one that you don’t see so often anymore – the NT-03+M.
17-inch RAYS Volk Racing TE37SL with Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 on a NC Mazda MX-5
We started with TE37s, so why not finish with them as well? Here’s a well used set of TE37SLs mounted on Jonathan Bartolome’s NC.
That will do it from Buttonwillow – I hope you guys enjoyed this episode of wheelspotting, and maybe it will serve as inspiration for your own build. After all, nothing makes or breaks a car like a set of wheels… If you had to pick just one set from all the rollers featured in this post, which would it be?
Mike Garrett
Instagram: speedhunters_mike
mike@speedhunters.com