HRE Wheels banned at IMSA and Viper Racing League, PCA Next

[OnyxM400]

Just a warning, please be diligent in regularly checking your HRE's (and other aftermarket wheels).

Interesting tid-bit. Talking to IMSA and Viper Racing League sterwards. found HRE's are banned ...

in both series due to too many failures.

NINE, yes NINE failures in one race weekend Vipers.

Apparently the PCA is on their way to banning HRE's as well.

The racers have always called them "Fools Fashion" and i thought that was a little rough until I started seeing them fail at track events and how easily they bend and corrode.

Then, after Leslie had problems with hers corroding and I spoke with one of the owners, I realized quickly they were WAY out of reality as to strength and design.

Wasn't really surprised that they were banned (was at the meeting), but was surprised at ALL the problems reported.

Unreal for such an expensive wheel.

Apparently tolerances are sooooo poor that the tires often rotate on the wheels themselves as the rims are often slightly too small.

Mike S

http://forums.audiworld.com/lrqc/msgs/41036.phtml

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforum...d.php?t=208424

http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/s...&postid=322919

Kenesis may have the same issue.

Craig, please be careful.

[one lap M400]

I had HRE's on my last corvette and I had nothing but problems from the day I ordered them! I waited four months for them and when they showed up the chrome was so pore that the lug holes didn't even have any chrome in them and there were bubbles in the chrome. I sent them back and they told me it would be another four months even though they were paid for. After trying everything I could I got nowhere and waited for rims that were so far out of balance that the tire rack installer putting on the tires said that most hundred dollar rims were better than these! Well these were the only rims that I have ever had that bent driving, and bubbles appeared in the chrome one year later. So I want rims for my Noble but would never buy from them again! Sorry Craig CACCOBRA, your rims look good, how was your experience?

[caccobra]

Originally Posted by one lap M400

I had HRE's on my last corvette and I had nothing but problems from the day I ordered them! I waited four months for them and when they showed up the chrome was so pore that the lug holes didn't even have any chrome in them and there were bubbles in the chrome. I sent them back and they told me it would be another four months even though they were paid for. After trying everything I could I got nowhere and waited for rims that were so far out of balance that the tire rack installer putting on the tires said that most hundred dollar rims were better than these! Well these were the only rims that I have ever had that bent driving, and bubbles appeared in the chrome one year later. So I want rims for my Noble but would never buy from them again! Sorry Craig CACCOBRA, your rims look good, how was your experience?

Mine are fine, guys. They aren't chrome. They're polished billet aluminum and are the 540R series. Not sure what type you had or what type people are using in those racing series, but the R series has a different lip than most and are more expensive than most. No problem mounting the S03's except that those tires are tight on any rim and probaly even tighter on this style rim. The installer was very careful (I'm tight with the manager of the tire store who ordered them for me) and they balanced just fine.

It may be more a function of the style of wheel that are experiencing failures. Could it be they were just going with the cheapest and lightest? Anyone find out if there was a common style that was being used? I didn't know that HRE chromed their wheels. Since the polished billet looks like chrome, why would anyone do that? It just adds more weight to them. Perhaps that process weakened yours? I'm very happy with mine and now have about 1,000 miles on them (on terrible Michigan roads). If a couple of racing groups are banning them, I would think that HRE will address the issue, whatever it is.

These wheels are too nice to track anyhow. I got them for street terrorism and the bling factor and to set it apart from any other Noble I come across. If I want to track it, I'll just put the OEM wheels back on it with some racing tires. I appreciate your concern though. I've had a lot of Corvettes in the past too and I know a lot of Corvette owners have used HRE's. I haven't heard any complaints before from any of them, but then most Corvette owners don't track their cars and put a lot of strain on them either. I'll let you know if I ever have any problems with mine. I do inspect them every time I polish them.

[jmg944t]

I would suspect that this will effectively be the end of HRE. I have seen these wheels fail as long ago as 7 years on Porsches, if they still have not fixed it they deserve to go under. The bottom line is there are much better, lighter, wheels of aerospace quality available for less $$$ with out risking death by owning them. Sure accidents happen but a wheel breaking when new is unacceptable, how would that have gone if it happened on a Noble going 140 MPH in the esses at the glen?

[one lap M400]

I don't know if it makes a difference but my HRE's were the 545R model. I'm heading out to california tomorrow with my dad for Road & Track magazine Supercar shootout, he has a new twin-turbo viper that Hennessey has worked on for a year to win the shootout. So I just asked what rims were on it now and he said HRE's with a flat black finish. My dad won't be the driver in the shootout but I'm concerned and told him to take them off for this weekend. For normal street driving i'm sure there fine, but no need to take chances.

[caccobra]

Hi all,

For those like me that take a lot of what you see on the internet with a grain of salt, I have this to share. I spoke this afternoon with Alan Peltier, the VP of Operations for HRE about these posts that are appearing. While it is not their practice to respond to such posts on the internet, they will be meeting directly with the PCA & Viper Club representatives to help them separate fact from fiction. After speaking to him, I am satisfied that my wheels are as safe and strong as anything on the market. If any HRE owners have any concerns they would be happy to speak directly with them as well. Alan Peltier can be reached at (760) 598-1960.

P.S. One of the failures referred to by the originator of this post was actually a Kenesis wheel and not an HRE wheel. Might also be some hidden agendas (IMHO) behind these posts.

P.P.S. And here's a quote from a Porshe guy on the same subject. I think he nailed it:

"You can use whatever wheels you want on the track and likely be safe, but if you don't check them regularly, you deserve the failure that is bound to happen. Nothing that is exposed to constant fatique will last forever.

Common sense rules.
__________________
Brian Bailey
Autometrics Motorsports Porsche 996 - Grand-Am Cup #45
'87 Porsche 944 Turbo - PCA GT3s"

Hope that helps.

Craig

[OnyxM400]

Well, that's good news. Just watching out for you Craig, wouldn't want something to happen.

[caccobra]

Originally Posted by OnyxM400

Well, that's good news. Just watching out for you Craig, wouldn't want something to happen.

Thanks, Gabe. I appreciate that, but I think in this case someone is doing some bashing for questionable reasons. Just trying to foster truth, justice and the Noble way....

[jmg944t]

Originally Posted by caccobra

Thanks, Gabe. I appreciate that, but I think in this case someone is doing some bashing for questionable reasons. Just trying to foster truth, justice and the Noble way....

I assume you are refering to my comments. So that there is no question of my intentions I will lay out exactly my position.
I prefer a different wheel to your choice, many in fact. I have witnessed 1 failure on track and know personally several unhappy owners. My opinion of the wheel was formed several years ago so none of this relates to you or your choice in wheels.

I believe they are to heavy to be marketed as a high performance wheel.
I believe they are not strong enough to be put on a racetrack, for that matter I wouldn't track a stock Noble wheel either.
I believe they are too expensive for their weight and strength.
I do like the way most of them look.

I do think that if the high performance community hears of this widespread it will be the end of them, that is simply how things work.
I also believe that if any company sells things that are as or more expensive than a better product they should not prosper.

Your opinions vary and you are apparently a happy costomer, I hope all is well with you and your HRE's as they do look good. If that is "questionable let me know and I will happily clarify any part of it

[OnyxM400]

jmg944t: I think Craig was referring to the post on audiworld.