Quote:
Originally Posted by Richbot
Or...it's a race part which could mean they weight-optimized it and figure the race teams will replace with regularity - that thick back pad means a lot of that 20.3lb isn't in the spokes or barrel. But it's also pretty much the standard "as light as possible GT car" split-5 wheel design, so maybe that's most of the difference
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This isn't the case based on my visual inspection. The back pad has extensive pocketing between the lug openings to minimize its weight. From what I have seen and know, race teams are not replacing wheels regularly. They are pounding on them all season and replacing as needed. The don't want a spindly, cheap wheel that fails to save a little weight.. They want something that is reliable - because if it fails they lose and possibly crash.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richbot
I trust BMW Motorsport to field a quality competition product, but I don't trust them to give us stuff that lasts forever especially when individual GT4 teams are buying 5-6 sets of wheels *a year* due to carnage, long races means tire changes, flats destroying wheels yada
It looks like the Apex 18x11 will cost right around the same - $600-650 each.
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I don't unequivocally trust BMW as they have proven to fail us (rod bearings are a great example). But, I simply do not agree with your assessment that race teams accept wheels as a throw away. They want strength and durability... then light weight. I don't see weight trumping the others.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dparm
I'm with Richbot on this. A racing team has very different priorities from TT or HPDE guys. These teams want wheels that will last for the duration of the race (or maybe race weekend). They also have lots of spares and the means to get them quickly/easily, and the budget to support that.
Also, it is likely optimized for that specific car's load and handling capabilities. What is the load rating? Is a heavily modified M3 track car going to develop more cornering forces than the M4 GT4?
It's still going to be a very solid wheel, don't get me wrong.
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It's no secret that I have a relationship with BBS and in general have a philosophy of focusing on quality, proven brands. I am willing to pay more for quality and my buying decisions support that. That philosophy has served me well. Particularly in the wheel department. I bring up BBS because, in my workings with them, I know that race teams are not going through wheels at a rapid pace. They are buying quality that lasts the season. Yes, there are always things that occur, crashes, impacts, etc. However the demands that a high level race team is putting on a set of wheels is infinitely higher than any of us amateurs are submitting them through. Just think of how many DE events (with a few 20 minute sessions) that you would need to attend to equal a pro race season - including testing, qualifying, practice, and racing.
It's the opposite of what you are saying IMO. Many people on this forum buy cheap wheels thinking that "it's just a track wheel" "It's going to get trashed anyway". Professional Race teams don't think that way. They want the very best products that they can rely on. There are of course exceptions. Teams have budgets, and sometimes settle for a sponsorship deal for a product that isn't their first choice.
Is the GT4 wheel the best, strongest, ultimate track wheel? I don't know. I don't have experience with the manufacturer (SAI) but they seem to have a solid resume. Based on what I have seen so far it has potential to be a winner. Especially for the money. I am all for healthy discussion on the forum. Please don't take my responses as anything but sharing of thoughts, findings, and opinions. I would like to think that most of my opinions are based on some logic, research, and testing. I do my best in that regard.