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949Racing is a race equipment shop in Southern California. No bling, just speed.
The story of 949 Racing
This journey began in 2004 when we saw there was no reasonably priced 15×8″, 4×100 wheel with the correct offset to fit our little race Miata with wide tires. So we designed the 6UL and started 949Racing. Nearly two decades later we have made our imprint on the wheel industry with our innovations and unique fitments. Many of the features and fitments we have created are now industry standards.
Design
While the 6UL looks similar to some other wheels, there’s nothing else like it. The design is an evolution of a 15×8 centerlock race wheel developed for the Radical SR8. Unlike so many other import wheels, the 6UL is not a copy. Each 6UL is specifically engineered to get the most performance from the car.
The Coto is an evolution of the 6UL but optimized for larger brake clearance and higher offsets.
The Sanger is as classic large spoke design for those that prefer a bolder look
Lip
The 6UL design is most functional in low to medium offsets. The wider lip requires attaching the spokes to the drop center, that hump area in the middle of the barrel. A wide lip looks great so we will always try to engineer every 6UL to have some lip where possible. Our new Coto and Sanger designs have no lip, spokes are attached to outer flange. This is required for the larger brakes and higher offsets of some fitments.
Brake clearance
Brake clearance on all our wheel designs is optimized for each application. This means 3D scanning both OEM and large aftermarket brake systems and designing the barrels around them. By keeping the barrel dimensions tight to the brake assembly, we reduce weight and improve airflow over the brakes.
Two valves
Dual valves allow for a complete nitrogen or dry air purge. We orient the valves 180° apart to keep wheel balanced.
949Racing is a race equipment shop in Southern Califronia. No bling, just speed.
The story of the 6UL
This journey began in 2004 when Emilio saw there was no reasonably priced 15×8″, 4×100 pcd wheel with the correct offset to fit our little Miata with Hoosiers. So with the help of some experienced wheel engineers, Emilio designed his own wheel and started 949Racing. He sweated every detail to create the best possible strength to weight ratio for the 6UL. Over a decade later we have changed this little corner of the wheel industry with our innovations and unique fitments. The 15×8 +36 4×100 fitment is now an industry standard.
Design
While the 6UL looks similar to some other wheels, there’s nothing else like it. The design is an evolution of a 15×8 centerlock race wheel developed for the Radical SR8. Unlike so many other import wheels, the 6UL is not a copy. Each 6UL is specifically engineered to get the most performance from the car.
Bolt pattern
This is a biggie. The original 6UL was designed expressly for the 4×100 pattern. You’ll notice the center hub area is not large enough diameter to add the larger 114.3mm pattern. This is because no compromise in the 4×100 optimization was made to accommodate the larger pattern. A 4×114.3 also has a minimum allowable load capacity about 20% higher than a 4×100. This means the 6UL would have needed to be 15.36 lbs with the same relative strength. No way. A 5×114.3 about 30% more. You get the idea. If anything, the 6UL is overbuilt for a 4×100, that’s because it’s a race wheel which will be pounded on a lot harder than any street wheel.
As years have gone by we have added more PCD’s and diameters to accommodate a wider variety of platforms
Lip
You may also notice the lip is not a wide as some other import wheels. The best possible wheel structure has the spokes running straight from the mounting pad to the bell (outer rim). By bending the spokes back to create an artificially wide lip you add more material than is needed and weaken the structure. Straight spokes with a smaller lip equals strong and light. A wide lip looks great so we will always try to engineer every 6UL to have some lip where possible. On some platforms, brake clearance or geometry requirements do not allow for a wide lip. Our 19″ Ford GT350 Mustang wheel is an example.
Brake clearance
The original 15×8 6UL wheel was designed to have radial clearance for 11.5″ rotors (outer rim). Axial clearance (spokes) depends on brake caliper offset. Notice how the distance between the spoke where they meet the rim is even where many similar design have the spoke in close pairs with uneven gaps between them. By making these gaps between the spokes symmetrical the rim between them was better supported. Thus we were able to reduce the drop center making the outer rim thinner. This not only looks nice but serves the purpose of increasing room for oversize rotors. Now we have 19″ fitments specifically engineered to clear huge 6 piston Brembos on 15.5″ rotors.
Two valves
We run nitrogen in all our race cars so we can dial in specific pressures and reduce tire wear. Dual valves allow for a complete nitrogen purge. Nitrogen doesn’t fluctuate pressure as your tires heats up and holds air much longer. With a single valve, you still have some regular air trapped in the wheel when inflating with nitrogen.
Offset
We run nitrogen in all our race cars so we can dial in specific pressures and reduce tire wear. Dual valves allow for a complete nitrogen purge. Nitrogen doesn’t fluctuate pressure as your tires heats up and holds air much longer. With a single valve, you still have some regular air trapped in the wheel when inflating with nitrogen.
Related Information
6UL FAQS & Fitment Info
How Strong is Your Wheel?
Wheel Technology
