Track wheels: 15 inch preferred?

[MIK911]

What are the advantages of 15" wheels for track use, compared to 16" or greater? Seems most serious trackers seek the 15" ers. Is gearing an issue? what about disadvantage of a lower profile tire used with larger wheels?
Thanks
Mike

[Yargk]

The diameter of wheels you chose involves many factors. These include, but are not limited to, brake size, gearing, weight (and inertia), tire availability (do they make them wide enough?, are there Hoosiers for this size ), and ride quality. It's easier to get tires for sizes other than fifteen. Also you ask "what about disadvantage of a lower profile tire used with larger wheels?" There is nothing wrong with this, in fact you should be using lower profile tires with larger wheels or you'll dramatically change your gearing and/or have a tire wheel combo that won't fit. You must go to a lower profile when going to larger wheels. The ride may be stiffer with a low profile tire due to a shorter sidewall to cushion shocks. However, the handling should be more connected, direct, and better overall. That's not to say that people don't use lower than stock profiles on small wheels with good results.

I've rambled on far too long. My original intention is to tell you to search the archives, we discussed this issue very recently and many times in the past. I'm sure you can more than enough information in those threads.

[orbmedia]

Hmm, where I'm at the fastest cars have 17/18" wheels with Hoosiers.