Drifting Wheels and Tires Question

[badass8]

I am just getting into drifting and I am prepping for the track. My 240sx is almost complete just need more suspension parts.

But my question is basically how many sets of wheels should I have??
I have never been to a drift event or track so I assume they don't have a mounting tire machine. Would it be best for me to purchase 2 sets of stealy's or just knockoff wheels and bring those to the track? Obviously I would bring my stock wheels to drive home with.

It seems as if I would keep tires at my house and just pay someone to mount them on my wheels to bring with me.

This is a learning experience for me and I have tried searching this up, but it really didn't get me where I needed.

[13esim]

Its really one of those things that depends on your personal preference. If you want to be drifting all day, you should probably figure out how quick you go through tires and how long the tires you use will last. Then go from there to determine how many sets you should bring.

Also, lets say you have two full sets of rims and tires (8 rims/tires all mounted and ready)dedicate 2 of them for your front, preferably matching and best condition, and use the other 6 for the rear all day.

And on the note of unmounted tires, i'm sure you can found a shop close to the track that would mount another set of tires after your done with the previous set, but they may charge you, so if you don't mind that you can do that as well.

Hope this helped

[snow hawk]

Thats really up to you, as 13esim said. It depends on how long you're gunna be drifting, HP you're running, experience drifting (which yours sounds to be minimal, judging by you saying you're just getting into it). If youre new to drifting, chances are, you wont be roasting as hard as other people. But just take that all into account. 2 rear sets sounds safe, that should be a decent amount. But its based on other factors.

[PeaceOnesxWai]

Steelies are good fun for beginners. I think 2 sets for rears on stock ka would be enough for a day at the track. Your learning so your speed wont be as fast and your tire wear wont go out as fast.

Rear tire choice would be something slippery. Federal 595 or some chinese ling long?(no pun intended, its a real brand) will last you a day. Something a bit stickier in the front of course.

Again, theres a drifting tire thread here on zilvia. Pretty good info if you read through it and would tell you the tires you need at the level your on.

[fliprayzin240sx]

Also depends on what tires your bringing, how much power you put down and how crappy your alignment is. Used tires, you'll need to bring more. Make alot of power/torque down, you'll need to bring more. Your toe/alignment is off and have alot of camber, you'll need more.

[badass8]

Awesome thank you guys for your responses. I was just confused about the mounting and what not like do people just bring ONLY tires and are able to mount them on the track or do they actually bring a couple sets of wheels with tires on them.

Me being new and all isn't it best to just go to local tire shops and purchase any kind of tire for cheap, (as long as it fits on my wheels) to drift with because its going to be torn apart anyways. I can understand how the fronts have to be in a lot better shape though.

[!Zar!]

Normally I bring new tires on my car, and a pair of wheels with tires on them. And maybe a pair of loose tires.

Most tracks have tire machines and will mount on site. If you aren't sure, just ask the event organizer if he/she will have tire services on site.

Also, various tracks and parking will have different levels of degradation to the tires. So keep that in mind too.

[Irresistible]

As others said it depends on a lot...

What tires, alignment, track surface, power, and even driving style.

[K_style]

It's vary on each track, your car set up.

Best thing would be, visit to the track where you are going to attend drifting at and see what other people usually spend. Also some drifting event offer tire mounting machine service some don't.

I usually bring an extra pair of wheels/new tires to track. I was @ Evergreen speedway last weekend and killed only a pair.

But again, when I went to Packwood drifting during last summer, I killed 6 new tires and 2 used tires in 4~5 hours of drifting.

If you are beginner as you mentioned, you won't be using much tires regardless how much power you have on your car. In fact, you will rarely "drifting" in the beginning. It's more of getting used to with your car being over-steered and doing some doughnuts/figure 8.

626drift holds event very often @ Willowsprings (Balcony) and they are quite beginner friendly. (at least when i went there 4 years ago..LOL)

[Dustxking]

Best thing i like to say to people is dont waste money on used tires that will explode,separate,only get one run, have flat spots in them, ect....Biggest change i ever did when i was learning to drive is i started buying new tires so i could get used to one set of tires and air pressure. Plus I wouldnt have to hassle of finding used tires and hope they would last long enough before i had to pit and get my car off the ground again.

[Penguin]

^^^ That's a great point. New tires are worth it in the long run. Don't mess around with used almost bald/old dry rotted tires. Yes they will save you money but generally they are not consistent and tend to chunk and separate really fast. I'm not sure how your track is but where our events are held here in Ok. our lot is pretty rough with some gravel. (Old mall parking lot...yay Oklahoma.) so used tires don't last very long at all. Stick to what everyone else is saying, some cheapies like 595's or some Falken 512's for the rear and then something stickier up front. Splurge and get something decent, you won't regret it. Just make sure your alignment is in spec. I'd say this is one of the better investments a newb can make that often goes over looked.

[badass8]

Thank you guys again.

I will have to go to my local track and watch people drift and ask questions then. And probably even go on ride alongs.

I also went ahead and went to a local shop and they would basically give me used wheels for free depending on tread.

So passing up free wheels would be tough haha. I will have to buy myself brand new wheels and compare the difference and like you guys said, figure out my personal preference.

[ZX88]

if i have new tires i can usually do most if not all of an event on them. it really depends on how much track time you actually get. Ive done a few parting lot event and drove there and back on the same tire. for a noob youll probably be fine with an extra set for the rears.

[racepar1]

Thank you guys again.

I will have to go to my local track and watch people drift and ask questions then. And probably even go on ride alongs.

I also went ahead and went to a local shop and they would basically give me used wheels for free depending on tread.

So passing up free wheels would be tough haha. I will have to buy myself brand new wheels and compare the difference and like you guys said, figure out my personal preference.

Your "local" track would be Willow Springs balcony or horse thief mile. WSIR has a tire shop on-site and there's a couple tire shops down the road a mile or two. I would say two full sets of wheels is a MUST. One set (of 4) w/good tires to use for fronts and driving to and from the track. Another set (of 4) with your rears on them. Bringing a spare pair of un-mounted tires would probably be a good idea as well. 6 rear tires should be MORE than enough and having 4 already mounted and ready to go will limit hassles at the track.

[fliprayzin240sx]

Used tires vs New tires will be dependent on one thing, how much power do you make? The fuck's the point of getting new tires if your 120 whp KA can barely break loose those 205s. Alot easier to slide shitty used tires on the rear. I've always run great tires up front (Star Specs for over 5 yrs and now on Michelin PSS), and I daily them. I run the same 18x10 Work Equip setup on track and street.

[badass8]

Haha so basically carry as many tires as my 240sx can carry. The more the better, I have to learn how many tires ill be going through in a day of drifting