What Is The Rim Width Range For A Tire Used On The Track?

For handling-oriented track & competition fitments, Tire Rack recommends mounting tires on the widest rim width approved by the tire manufacturer (and permitted by competition class rules). However, we also recognize that rules for stock, spec, or other autocross/racing classes often restrict the rim widths permitted for competition. This has resulted in the evolution of numerous tire and rim width combinations that fall outside those recommended by the tire manufacturer, ranging from pinching wide tires on fairly narrow wheels, or mildly stretching performance tires onto wheels wider than the tire manufacturer recommends.

Off-road enthusiasts often desire the flotation effect of oversized tires on loose surfaces, requesting wide tires be mounted on relatively narrow wheels. Conversely, some off-road vehicle styles are evolving to make lower-profile tires stretched onto wider wheels a desirable look.

While tire and wheel combinations that fall outside the tire’s rim width range have been widely used for dedicated track, competition, or off-road driving, they should not be used on the street, even to drive to and from an event. Tires driven on the road have to endure stresses, strains and repetitive fatigue due to flexing during the tens of millions of revolutions over the course of their usable lifetime. When road-going tires are pinched or stretched on wheels that are beyond their design range they can develop cracking, unusual or rapid wear patterns, or other failure conditions. Tires used only off-road or for track and competition environments typically wear out the tread very quickly, dramatically shortening the number of flexing revolutions they have to endure.

Drivers should always use sufficient inflation pressure and inspect the condition of their tires between track sessions or when off-roading.

Track & Competition or Off-Road-Use-Only Fitments

When assembling Tire & Wheel Packages or installing tires in our service center, Tire Rack will mount tires on wheels outside the tire size's recommended rim width range at the customer's request for track and competition, or off-road use only. These combinations outside the tire manufacturer’s recommended rim width range are not for street use. The exception to this is Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) homologated fitments that have been tested and approved (i.e. 1969-1982 Corvette, 1995 E36 M3, 2010-2012 Porsche GT3 rear, etc.).