SEMA 2012: Weld Racing’s RTS Wheels on Xtreme Drift Circuit

Since no one is looking for less stopping power, it’s a clear fact that brakes aren’t going to be getting any smaller and big calipers are here to stay. Luckily Weld Racing has adapted their wheel lines to fit over today’s fat-calipered late-model muscle cars. Weld’s RTS line is actually available in three different pad heights based on how much over hang your calipers have.

Weld RTS Wheels Pad Height Options and Profiles:

  • Low Pad Height– 0.89” of Clearance – Green Spoke Profile – For cars with drum brakes, early disc brakes, and aftermarket drag set ups.
  • Medium Pad Height – 1.19” of Clearance – Blue Spoke Profile – Offers more clearance for modern style brakes with small to medium overhang.
  • High Pad Height – 2.05” of Clearance – Red Spoke Profile – For calipers with big overhang such as those on 5th Gen Camaro SS and C6 Z06, and aftermarket calipers from Brembo, Baer, Wilwood, and others.

The RTS wheel line has a whole range of tire widths available, from 4 inches to 18 inches to be exact. Weld offers the RTS wheels in many different backspace combinations which means that you can really tuck the wheel inside the wheel well. Xtreme drift car racer Sarah Burgess explained how Weld Racing’s RTS wheels helps with the set up of her car, “It’s all about steering angle,” says Burgess. “With the Weld Wheels and the customizable sizes, we’ve allowed for really great fitment to run extra angle while we’re drifting.”

An added benefit to drift cars is the space that Weld’s RTS wheels have. “We run two brake calipers on the rear,” says Burgess. “With Weld’s fitment options, it allows for a great fitment of the wheel over the calipers.”

“It’s a pick-your-own size that allows you to work with what you have. It’s a really great feature,” Burgess adds.

When the RTS line first came out, we talked to Weld Racing’s VP of Sales and Marketing, Kyle Fickler, about the wheels, ”The RT-S is a street-strip wheel… actually, it’s more than that. We’re still trying to figure out what it won’t do. We’ve had it on drift cars, drag race cars, street rods, BMWs and you name it. We’ve found a way to fit all different applications,” said Fickler adding, “like all Weld Racing Wheels, it’s made in the USA.”

In addition to years of racing experience in wheel manufacturing, Weld Racing uses Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to understand that a wheel can be too strong in some areas and removing mass in that area spreads the load more evenly across the surface, which makes the wheel stronger as a whole. The goal is to make the wheel as strong as necessary for the intended application but at the lightest possible weight with a factor of safety in place.

For an “off-the-shelf” custom wheel, Weld Racing’s RTS line is hard to beat.

About the author

Bobby Kimbrough

Bobby grew up in the heart of Illinois, becoming an avid dirt track race fan which has developed into a life long passion. Taking a break from the Midwest dirt tracks to fight evil doers in the world, he completed a full 21 year career in the Marine Corps.
Read My Articles

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