Auto Racing: race wheels, asphalt track, wheel surface


Question
Hello I currently am in the process of trying to get my son's  1989 240sx to stick to an oval asphalt track.  I am trying to order some 3 inch offset steel racing wheels.  The problem I am having is bolt pattern the car came with 15 inch wheels  and everything I find says the bolt pattern is 4 X 114.3  I need help who makes such a wheel.  Should I focus on changing hubs to fit different bolt patterns.

Answer
Hi Phil:

The 114.3 MM is also 4 1/2"  - - -the bolt holes are 4 1/2" apart on centers.  It's a standard NissanDatsun fitment and should be available from many wheel manufacturers.  One good one would be Real Wheel, another is Circle Wheels.  You'll have to Google search for them, I don't have any contact info.  You could probably also use the alloy wheels off an old 280Z or ZX. They have the same bolt pattern.  If you want steel wheels, check in Circle Track Magazine, a great publication for oval track racers.  There are ads all through for steel racing wheels in many sizes.  

The problem you will have is the 3" offset. I don't believe many companies make them.

By the way 'Offset' is the distance that the center of the wheel rim is offset from the center of the wheel.

I think what you want is a 3" BACKset which is the distance from the inside wheel surface to the mounting surface.

In either case, 2" and 4" are standards, 4" being the most common.

Hope this is a help !

Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Florida