This is the Build Thread for Rowdy S197. Reply below.

Had warmer temperatures the last few days and I was able to make the necessary modifications to fit a set of new Apex EC-7 wheels and 315 square Falken Azeni RT660s. I also adjusted my sway bar settings as well to full soft in the rear and second from stiffest in the front. I'm excited for the first couple events and making adjustments to the sways and figuring out tire temps.

I am so happy this is done as I was certain I'd end up having clearance issues (Murphy's Law) and the whole project would be a waste and then having to explain that to Wife. Really, really cool that @Apex Wheels provides such great fitment guides.

Still need an alignment (might try myself??) and I have stainless brake lines to put on next but I'm going to wait until temps are back above 50. (hashtag old guy)

Really nice build and your picture looks like you may have already gotten some 18x11s, though just a guess. If those tires in the background are the RT660s great , but if you have not gotten them my polite suggestion would be to get 660+s or some other 200TWR tires like the new Bridgestone RE71RZs. Since you are in Tire Rack Land you could always call Luke Pavlik ( ext. 4362 ) as he has been working there for over 25 years and as you burn up rubber he would be a great source as he often has his finger on the pulse of new products --- he is an active track rat himself.
PS- nice garage with a couple of fun toys!

Bill Pemberton said:

Really nice build and your picture looks like you may have already gotten some 18x11s, though just a guess. If those tires in the background are the RT660s great , but if you have not gotten them my polite suggestion would be to get 660+s or some other 200TWR tires like the new Bridgestone RE71RZs. Since you are in Tire Rack Land you could always call Luke Pavlik ( ext. 4362 ) as he has been working there for over 25 years and as you burn up rubber he would be a great source as he often has his finger on the pulse of new products --- he is an active track rat himself.
PS- nice garage with a couple of fun toys!

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Hey Bill, thank you for the information! I did indeed get the RT660s from Tire Rack but just bought them thru the website as closeouts. In the future I will try to work thru Luke. I am also learning that the local SCCA club has a connection too.

Doing an autocross clinic tomorrow with the local Porsche club and have an SCCA solo event on the 31st. A few shots from the last solo event at Tire Rack.

Way cool you get to run at the TireRack site...........I will join the large group of TMO members who are envious!

Bill Pemberton said:

Way cool you get to run at the TireRack site...........I will join the large group of TMO members who are envious!

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I feel very lucky to be so close to their campus (about 5 miles away)!

I did an event with the Porsche club a few weeks ago and I met none other than Luke Pavlik! I told him that I’d been on TMO and that another member on there had mentioned his name and he goes, without missing a beat “Bill Pemberton”! Very cool guy

Another few photos from this past Sunday

Ygrene said:

I feel very lucky to be so close to their campus (about 5 miles away)!

I did an event with the Porsche club a few weeks ago and I met none other than Luke Pavlik! I told him that I’d been on TMO and that another member on there had mentioned his name and he goes, without missing a beat “Bill Pemberton”! Very cool guy

Another few photos from this past Sunday



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Very Interesting course layout , took me a few minutes to figure it out.

That cowl hood looks mean.