Thanks for discussing this, Ricky - maybe we can clear the air a bit. It's not that I don't understand these concepts, it's just that I don't agree with your general statement that ALL wheel/tire combos over 16" will negatively impact handling. I also can't seem to make you guys realize that tire treads and compounds play a much larger part than you are allowing. The reason I brought the truck into play was to demonstrate a scenario where the compound/tread pattern combo played a major role in saving me from my own driving mistake, especially concerning the major handicap of driving a truck that DOESN'T handle. Yeah, this is a CRX list, but I didn't realize that meant that there are only CRXs on the road. I didn't ask Jeremy to bring my truck into his "physics" lesson, but he did, and his reasoning concerning the truck was not just majorly flawed, but completely wrong. If his statement that the truck handles better because it's heavy were true, then the best-handling vehicle in the world would be something along the lines of a Ford Superduty or Excursion, or hell, even a D9 Cat - remember, he made no statement other than the truck handled better in the rain because it's much heavier than a CRX.
Now, you're probably saying to yourself that, again, I'm just arguing to argue, but I assure you that's not the case. Check my facts and you'll see that I am completely correct. I do apologize if I stated any of my facts/opinions in a condescending manner (sometimes I do it without realizing) but that doesn't condemn the basic reasoning behind my argument. And yes, as I have stated like twice already, I would not run 17" inch wheels on a drag- or autocross-racer. I assumed that we were talking about street driving (where 99% of all of our driving occurs) and on the street I'd hate to encounter you and your car if you're driving it to the point that the difference in handling between a 17" wheel/tire and a 15" wheel/tire become apparent. If that's the case then you have a hell of a lot more to worry about than hydroplaning at 55 mph! Brian
