345-355 Challenge Wheel Alternatives for track days

With the end of production of the Speedlines and current supply running low.
What are our alternatives for a lightweight wheel for track day to put slicks on?

 

Tim,

CCW Corsair Series C140 wheels are pretty good. I've seen them on a few F355 Challenge cars.

Complete Custom Wheel - Forged Aluminum Wheels

CCW - Complete Custom Wheel // C140 Wheel Design

Barry
.
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The CCW classics are very popular in the BMW world for the true 3 piece design. I have them on my M3 (it's for sale if anyone wants one) and I've taken them apart and replaced inner and outer pieces easily. The rim halves used to be like $150 each, so if you drop a wheel, you just pull the wheel apart, replace the half, and use window caulk to put them back together. Super easy.

 

I had CCW Classics on a Supra and loved them.

I had planned to use these Kinesis for track days but I collected a couple of sets of Challenge wheels and won't need them.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/ferrari-parts-collectibles/455961-18-kinesis-wheels.html

 

CCW just sold out to Weld racing... prices went up around $100 a wheel.. I believe the wheels will start to go to crap soon.. buy while you can.. if its not to late..

 

CCW was basically a good wheel but John was kinda hit and miss with customer service. Maybe that issue will be gone with Weld? The lot of us vette racers were on the CCW's because they were the cheapest decent wheel we could get. The lips were soft however and after a season of racing we had to bend the lips out trying to get them close to round again or buy new ones. Over 1/2 the time John would not have the lips. He was the one who told us just to bend them back.

So IMO Jongbloed makes the best wheel that is light but tough for racing and I would be surprised if they did not have a Ferrari fitment. If this is for track you definitely want a 3 piecer so you can swap out damaged parts. Lowest laptimes often come with aggressive use of curbing.

 

I would start my search with Advan, SSR, Enkei for 5x108 wheel bolt patterns.

Official Wheel/Tire/Wheelbolt Guide - FerrariChat.com

Challenge wheels are light, but I expected lighter for cream of the crop "magnesium" wheels. The rear 18x10 challenge wheels clock in at roughly 21-22 lbs (9.85kg). Not too impressive considering most forged aluminum wheels these days are 18-20 lbs given the same size.

If you want close or similar to challenge wheel look, look into Japanese Neez wheels. Tab Corsa line to be specific. F40s and F50s rock em all day over there. They have magnesium and aluminum options in various sizes. Their magnesium wheels designed to replace challenge wheels clock in at 18.5 lbs (8.35kg). 3lb advantage over the challenge wheels!
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I would call that the perfect alternative. Have you priced them?

 

I would love to see a set of the Neez, also price

 

19 inch Challenge wheels. Hmm.. I think I need a set in center lock fitment.

 

HRE can do the centerlock conversion.

 

I have a twisted up 430C as a donor and saw a set of up-rights that had been fabricated. So, A CCB conversion has been in the back of my mind for a while now. I'll check in to the HRE conversion too.

 

I'll be in Japan Friday for Tokyo Auto Salon. I'll ask around. I might know someone who might be interested in bringing these in if there is enough demand. He's constantly bringing in containers of goods from Japan for the NSX and GTR community. Disclaimer: i have no interest in making money off this. Would be nice to see some rare Japanese 355 parts this side of the world.

 

I am interested. Thank you and have a fun trip.

 

That to me looks like a proper 355. This is how they should all look.

 

You mean like this...hahaha..Like i said before, I don't track race.. just road race.. but i still put on my classics when its time to put in some work... Weld inst all that great and I think they will probably mass market the wheels and soon the quality will suffer
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Formula Dynamics a sponsor shop here seems to make a nice set of 18"rims specifically fitted for 355.

pretty lite too
19 lbs front, 20lbs rear.
Wheel Veloce Corsa - Lightweight Performance Wheels

 

I really like those

 

does anyone know someone with a set on their car?

 

The Wheel Veloce Corsa - Lightweight Performance Wheels are no longer availble


Ken, any luck with the challenge look alike wheels from Japan?

 

Too bad the no longer make them, tried to order

 

Ooops. Sorry. I forgot to update. Masaya of JP Visage should be able to bring them in. He's constantly bringing containers of automotive goods from Japan. Just tell him the specs you want and he can look for pricing and a landed price. I actually caught up with him while I was in Japan and mentioned this thread to him.

About JP USA

Their office is 10 min away from mine.

 

If anyone remembers, the mono lug speedline corsas on the 348 GT Competizione and the one-off F355 Competizione were an 18x11 as opposed to an 18x10 which you see on the 5 lug Speedlines. I personally think a 295 fits fine with an 18x10, but would probably stretch out better with an 18x11. You can also move up to 305/315 if you really want.
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