Question about Speedline Challenge Wheels..

I wasn't aware that you could still order them. If you have any luck, please let me know.

Yes, you can use them on street cars. Here is a shot of mine.
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Lets put it this way...they are not certified by DOT for street use. But let me ask you a question. If I can run these wheels on a race track on slicks which puts way more load on a wheel that any street tire do you think the 355C wheel is stronger or weaker? That said there could be something different about a street wheel designed to take rail road tracks and potholes 2 items not found on track. My suspicion is that any wheel is designed to to handle some margin of error over its designed loads. What that is is anyone's guess.

 

Those are standard challenge wheels that I run on my street car. There is a sticker on the inside of the rim that does say for off road use only. I have had them on for 2 years with no problems and these were the original wheels from '96 challenge series. I do think race wheels get x-rayed from time to time to check for fatigue cracks.

Presumably the magnesium will crack easier than the aluminum and loose air rapidly. Maybe stronger, but more brittle? Maybe aluminum gives more over pot holes and imperfections on the road surface?

Secondly, I think I paid $170 to have them refinished. I kept them white for originality, but you can paint them any color.

 

Track wheels are supposed to be inspected often. Street wheels may not come off the car for long periods of time.
Potholes and rough roads are more common and brutal than most track curbs.

 

I can get hold of these BRAND NEW!

I bought a set 2 weeks ago the place that has a good stock of them is litterally 15 mins drive from me (UK).

Price is a bit steep however, ~£800 per wheel (including UK taxes). Think thats about 1000 of them green paper things the US use at todays exchange. No clue on export tax or anything tho would have to investigate if anyone actually wanted any.

They are however probably THE best purchase and modification Ive done so far, you can tell the difference from the standard wheels even though the weight is not that much different...biggest difference for me was steering response and feedback bizarrely enough.

 

What size tires are you guys running on your Ch wheels?

 

Standard up front 225's

At the rear Ive got 285/35's on there

Semi slicks btw, can you say...RAILS hehe

 

Think 245 are too big for the front?

 

they will fit, just, if your ride height is lowered a lot tho you might get some bump scrub on the outer wall, inner clearance is ok.

I stayed standard so I could keep steering response, it improved heh.

 

Cool--Thanks---Not lowered at all..

 

Plugz, I am appalled that you did not relate the story of your collapsed Kinesis wheel at the track. Now there is a reason to have those buggers xrayed periodocally. Those wheels are truley must haves, but if they cannot take very day bumps and holes forget it.

 

That is the exact same tire sizes I am running on my 355 with stock wheels !

 

I think its the best combination for the 348/355 too fat at the front and you will get "tram lining" on freeways, reduced steering response, and too much on the back is just pointless, all you doing is wasting horsepower spinning up rubber that you dont need.

If you need more grip, goto soft compound tyres first hehe

 

Maybe I will split the difference and go 235/40 up front and 285/35 in rear. Those sizes is available in a PS2

 

Has anyone confirmed or denied the availability of these from Speedline UK?

 

Speedline are making these rims again.
They had an example on their stand at autosport. Dave at scuderia sales is selling them i'm sure.

 

thats correct, I bought a brand new set only 2 weeks ago, I posted further up!

 

I have used these Challenge wheels on the road (as well as the track) since 1994, and they have never had a problem.

It's good to know that they are available again... just in case!

 

Guys,

Magnesium is used for street wheels all the time. It is not the material and no one will know why. We can only guess. My guess is politics and costs to certify for a use never intended. No one thought people would want these wheels in fact speedline discontinued them. Now people claim they brought them back. OK, fine seeing is believing. I have not seen any yet.

As to tire size I raced these wheels 245 645 18 fronts and 305 650 18 rears. There is not issues with tramlining and there is no reason there would be. I'm not sure why anyone would even think there would. My car was rock solid stable with the early subframe up to my race speeds of about 130mph. I mount my own tires and the problem with going to a larger tire like a
GY 11.5 18 is that the internal retaining lips on the barrel of the wheels is large and forcing extra width tire on is hard. This means your tire monkey will damage your wheels unless he has a machine that has an adjustable shoe that locks in one direction. If you stick to 305's or less you will be fine.

 

Why doubt? I have no need to lie about buying them new from them.

If you like I can post a photo of the invoice from them from last month and a picture of the boxes they came in

 

I hesitated about posting in this thread as the last time I did post something similar elsewhere I got flamed.

This was originally posted in February 2008 after i had a long chat with the UK/Europe Speedline Wheels Distributor.

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My first post


I contacted Speedline today to get more information.

The 355 Challenge wheel that they currently make is for Track use only and they do not recommend it for the road. The wheel has not been homologated and they have not done the normal testing for road use as they do on other wheels they manufacture.

There is currently no legislation in the UK that says you can't use those wheels on the road. However, my personal view (sy) is that insurance companies may in the event of an accident refuse a claim although there has been no incident of this as far as I know

They currently sell the 355 challenge wheel in white only for £550 plus vat for each wheel (£2,500 for the whole set).

Also, there has been some discussion in the past about Magnesium wheels having a short life span. Whilst Magnesium wheels do not have teh lifespan of aluminium wheels, they are not likely to disintegrate in the near future. It depends much on how well they are looked after.

Thanks to David Williams at speedline for the above info (hope I got it right )

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My second post


Ade once posted up that he thought Magnesium wheels had a short lifespan. I asked Speedline and they said it's not the case. Aluminium wheels can last 100 years and whilst Magnesium wheels won't last as long, they will probably outlive us. Therefore, buying magnesium wheels new or used is not a problem.

The issue with road worthiness of the wheels is a bit more complex. Speedline state they are not road legal. Not because of any inherent weakness or problems with the wheels, just that they have'nt been tested for the road and as such are recomended for track use only.


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In summary, yes... Speedline still manufacture the 355 Challenge wheels.

They will also consider making again previously discontinued speedline wheels if enough people wanted them. I think it was something like a set of 5. Can't quite remember.

 

Forgot to mention... during the conversation, he also told me that there were some road legal 355 Challenge wheels made.

Not sure if that is accurate or not, but that's what he told me and he works for Speedline.

 

What I said was "Now people claim they brought them back. OK, fine seeing is believing. I have not seen any yet. "
I'm in the US and there have been claims of these wheels "new" for years. We still hear them today. You got some great! I have still not seen any new ones in the USA. Are they coming? great! I hope so. They are the best looking wheels on the 348/355 in my opinion and they are a great race wheel. I raced them for years and tried for a long time to get a second set so I would not have to change tires all the time. No luck I still only have one set.