Wheel width = Grip

Every major circuit racing series has moved to wider front wheels to increase grip and reduce track times.  In 2012, DTM increased front wheel diameter from 11 to 12” wide.  A few years before that, Super GT moved from 12” to 13” wide wheels.  In 2017, Formula 1 increased both front and rear tires by 25%.  LMP1 cars moved up to 14.5” or 14.75” while maintaining a narrower 14” or 14.5” in the rear.  Who would have thought that top racing teams would have wider front wheels than rear on a rear wheel driven car?  This goes to show that front grip and braking capability is just as important as rear drive grip.  Over the past several years, the Porsche GT3 RSR has evolved from 11” to 12” and now 12.5” wide wheels.  From 2009 to 2011, all of the top time attack teams had 10.5” wheels, in 2012 all the records are falling on 11” wide wheels.  In top end racing, wider wheels equal more grip, better braking, less under steer and faster laps times. 

The Miata racing scene has followed this trend of plus sizing their wheels.  Originally the fastest Miata’s were running 7” wide wheels.  When several racers jumped to 8” wheels, many thought they would be too heavy, but seconds were shaved off lap times and everyone followed.  When 9” wheels became available, doubt again set in about the weight penalty.  Within a year, all the fastest Miata teams were running 9” wide wheels.  Then teams moved to 10” wide wheels and times dropped further.  The limits are tire availability and fender fitment.  Wider wheels simply allowed the fastest Matias to brake later and carry more corner speed.  At most tracks, carrying 10% more speed in the corners is faster than doubling your HP. 

1” of extra wheel width is worth ~ 1 sec per 2 mins of track time

Each extra inch of wheel width is worth roughly one second per two minutes of track time.  For example, on a track like Buttonwillow CW13 where competitive laps are around 2 minutes, you should see around a 1 second improvement.  Here is a Grassroots Motorsports article providing empirical data on +1” wider wheel lap time reduction even when using the same size tires.  Its all about the wheel width and supporting the pliable tire. 

Each extra 1” provides an increase in mechanical grip that increases cornering speed and reduces braking distances so you can accelerate longer.  A +1” in wheel width provides a similar improvement to moving up in tire classes, like an Extreme tire to R comps or R comps to Slicks.  Again, the extra grip typically, more than compensates for the increase wheel and tire weight. 

Additionally, OEMs are using wider wheels to easily improve lap times to one up the competition.  The Porsche GT2 RS is faster than the Ford GT (best in class aero) and McLaren 720S (best in class power to weight ratio) with 1” wider front wheels improving braking and cornering speeds.  The AMG GT-R Pro and Black series front wheel are even wider helping it keep up with lighter and rear engine GT2 RS.  Wider wheels, especially front wheels are faster. 

18” wheels are faster than 17” wheels and worth an additional ~1 sec per 2 mins of track time 

For 25-26” diameter tires (S2000 is 25”) 18” wheels are the optimal wheel size.  18” tires have less side wall and thus less deflection improving contact patch, heat distribution, corning grip and reduction braking distances.  Every premier racing class (F1, WEC, DTM, NASCAR) operates with in this tire diameter range and all use 18” wheels.  Here is a Grassroots Motorsports article providing empirical data on 17” vs 18” wheels reducing lap times 0.5 secs on a sub 1 min lap with a low HP and average handling car. 

Magnesium ride comfort 

A downside to 18” wheels are a harsher ride from the reduced tire sidewall.  Magnesium more than makes up for that as magnesium has an incomparably high dampening factor meaning they absorb vibration.  This is a noticeable effect that improves driver comfort allowing for more overall focus on driving.  

Magnesium for ultimate weight savings

URGE’s Helium wheels, made from magnesium, deliver unmatched weight savings—over 30% lighter than aluminum with nearly identical strength. Thoughtful design reduces wheel weight by 20% compared to aluminum while outperforming carbon fiber, which requires excessive material for safety, nullifying its weight advantage.

Helium wheels weigh between 13.4 to 15.3 lbs for 18×9.5 to 10.5” sizes—2-3 lbs lighter than the lightest aluminum wheels. Paired with lighter 18” tires, you save 3-4 lbs per wheel/tire combo. In comparison, URGE Helium wheels are over 5 lbs lighter than the best aluminum alternatives.

With rotational weight having 4-5X the impact of static weight, cutting 12-20 lbs across 4 wheels feels like shedding 50-100 lbs from your car. This means quicker acceleration, better braking, and easier handling.

Magnesium corrosion and fire concerns 

Magnesium in its pure form is highly corrodible and combustible. However, when alloyed, it becomes a safe, low-corrosion, and non-combustible material perfect for high-performance wheels. At URGE, our proprietary magnesium alloy includes a higher percentage of rare earth elements, making it the most corrosion-resistant magnesium alloy in the industry.

To further ensure durability, each Helium wheel undergoes additional coatings that meet stringent OEM corrosion standards, ensuring long-lasting performance and reliability in any environment.

Lightest weight Wheel style 

Wheels come in proven 5 Y style for maximum weight reduction. 

We offer the wheels in a neutral grey with satin finish to compliment most S2000 colors.