Wheel sizes for best DOT-R rubber selection on an 818

[Hobby Racer]

Hi everyone. Planning my 818R build and I'm researching my wheel/tire setup for the track (my 818R will not be driven on the street).

Everyone seems to be running 17s in front and either 17s or 18s in the rear. This leaves few choices for DOT-R rubber that will fit. From other posts and my research, it appears that the fronts are the biggest challenge. Finding a tire that has a diameter of 24 inches or less AND is also made in an appropriate size for the rear. Only thing I've found is the same as what is listed in the 818R supplement from FFR, and they both seem to still rub a bit in the front from what I can gather.

(DOT-R suggestions from the 818R supplement from FFR)
Hoosier A7/R7:
Front: 225/40/17
Rear: 255/35/18

Toyo R888
Front: 215/45/17
Rear: 255/35/18

Anyone thought or tried this setup. 15x7 in the front and 17x9 in the rear?
It seems to open up a wide range of DOT-R tire choices, for example:

Front: 225/50/15 (on a 15x7 e+35 or e+40 Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2) (http://www.teamilluminata.com/Shop/TeamDynamics/U525702.pdf)
Rear: 245/40/17 (on a 17x9 e+35 or e+40 Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2) (http://www.teamilluminata.com/Shop/TeamDynamics/52790_E23_E45.pdf)

From looking at my 2006 donor front hubs/brakes it looks like a 15 in front wheel will work. It will be a tight fit with the 4 pot calipers but looks workable. It opens up the following tire choices, maybe more I have not found yet.

BFGoodrich g-Force R1
BFGoodrich g-Force R1S
Hoosier A7/R7
Kumho Ecsta V710
Toyo Proxes R888
Maxxis Victra RC-1

Thoughts?

[Tamra]

We will be running 15x8's in the front, likely with a 245 series A6, with 16's in the rear, for our race setup (may have to flare the front fenders). We've heard fitment over the brakes may be an issue, and if so we'll go to a smaller front brake from an older Subaru. There's a good thread on Nasioc listing all the sizes.

[Wayne Presley]

For a good priced tire that performs well, I'd use the Hankook Z214's in the soft compound

[Hobby Racer]

At first I was looking to run 15's in front and 16's out back but the selection of DOT-R rubber in 16's is very limited compared to 17's for the rear.

For best selection I found that 15's in front and 17's in the rear to be optimal. I'm not sure how it will look though, having a 2 in difference in rim sizes front to back. I was hoping some one had done it and could post some pics!

[Hobby Racer]

For a good priced tire that performs well, I'd use the Hankook Z214's in the soft compound

I run the Hankook Z214's in soft compound on my Elise and like them very much, especially considering the price!

They are one of the tires I would like to run on the 818R.

[C.Plavan]

The only problem with the Hankooks is they run out of stock for long periods of time. You have to plan WAY ahead.