I race a little circle track car on Saturday nights. Nothing wild. Stock body, loud pipes, big smile. This year, I ran Bassett Racing wheels. The D-Hole steel ones, 15×8. I used a beadlock on the right rear, and non-beadlocks everywhere else. I’ve got 5 on 5 hubs, 5/8" studs, and 1" lug nuts. Simple and sturdy. Just my style.
I actually put these wheels through it at Sycamore Speedway in Illinois and Wilmot Raceway up in Wisconsin. Clay tracks. Ruts show up. Cushions get tall. And me? I clip stuff sometimes. Let me explain what worked, what didn’t, and the small mistakes I made while grinning anyway. Of course, circle tracks aren’t the only places I’ve had fun; I once climbed into a Bandolero car and shared the real story of that experience right here.
What I Ran and Why
- Wheels: Bassett D-Hole 15×8, black powder coat
- Backspacing: 3" RR, 4" LR, 5" fronts
- Tires: Hoosier G60-15 on my IMCA-style setup (weekly show, not touring)
- One Bassett beadlock on the right rear (held with the ring bolts), non-beadlock on the other three
If you want to dig deeper into the company’s lineup before choosing sizes and backspacing, Bassett Racing Wheels are renowned for their durability and performance in various racing disciplines, and their official website provides comprehensive information on their product offerings and technological advancements.
That mix fit my car and the tracks. The beadlock kept the tire on when I ran low pressure on the right rear during slick nights. I used 12 psi RR with the beadlock, and as low as 8 psi on the left rear. With non-beadlocks, I kept the fronts at 18–20 psi so the sidewalls stayed calm.
First Night Jitters… Then a Smile
Opening night at Sycamore was rough. The cushion had teeth. In turn two, I hit a rut and slapped the wall with the right rear. Hard enough to make my helmet tilt. I winced, checked my gauge after the yellow, and laughed. The tire still held air. The lip wasn’t folded. The powder coat chipped, sure, but the wheel didn’t go out of round. I finished the heat. That’s when I knew these wheels weren’t just pretty.
The Good Stuff
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They spin true out of the box.
My fronts needed only 1–2 ounces to balance. I’ve had cheap steel wheels need a handful of weight. Not these. -
The beadlock ring bolts stayed tight.
I put anti-seize on the threads and torqued them in a criss-cross pattern. I go to 18 ft-lb, check after hot laps, then again after the heat. They stayed put, even with mud packed in. -
They take a hit and keep shape.
At Wilmot, I dropped my right rears into a rut trying a low line that I had no business trying. The wheel lip was fine. Did it fix my bad line? Nope. But it saved my rim. -
Easy to mount tires.
I use soapy water and a ratchet strap trick. The Bassett bead seat grabs clean. I’ve mounted Hoosiers and American Racers on them. No drama. My teen cousin helped and didn’t swear once. That’s rare. -
Affordable spares.
I carry two extra non-beadlocks and one spare ring. If I bend one, I’m not crying in the trailer.
The Not-So-Great
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The black powder coat chips and scratches fast.
By week three, the right side looked “seasoned.” If you like showroom shine, prepare to repaint or live with scuffs. -
Ring bolts can rust.
If you don’t use anti-seize or protected washers, they get crusty. I keep a small bag of extra bolts in the toolbox. Worth it. -
They can bend if you really yard-sale a rut.
I had one front get a tiny wobble after a nasty push into a hole. I re-faced it on a simple stand with a dead blow hammer. Good enough for weekly shows, but not perfect anymore. -
A bit heavy compared to aluminum.
Steel is steel. On slick tracks, that extra weight felt okay—kept the car planted. On short, tacky nights, it’s not the fastest feeling off the corner. Still, I’d take the strength.
Real Nights, Real Results
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Sycamore Heat 2, mid-June:
I went low into turn three, got bumped, and the right rear kissed the inside berm. The beadlock kept the tire seated at 11 psi. I finished P3. Without the ring, that was a rim-only ride. -
Wilmot Feature, late July:
Track took rubber. I left the 3" backspacing on the RR and wished I’d swapped to 4" for a calmer exit. The Bassett wheel didn’t care, but my right arm did. Lesson learned: the wheel holds up; set your car, not your jaw. -
Family Night, early August:
My niece helped scrape mud off the ring. We re-torqued bolts after hot laps. One bolt was down a tiny bit. We fixed it fast. She said the ring looked like a waffle with syrup. She wasn’t wrong.
If the raw vibe of sanctioned events ever has you wondering what a less-formal scene feels like, you can check out my honest take on an underground race night in Charlotte.
After one of those road-trip weekends took us over to Sandusky Speedway in Ohio, the crew wanted a little post-race adventure that didn’t involve greasy spoon diners or another hotel lobby bar. If you ever find yourself in that same “we’ve-still-got-energy” mood near Cleveland, a surprisingly lively option is the local lifestyle community at North Olmsted Swingers—their listings lay out upcoming meet-ups, house parties, and verification steps so you can confidently connect with other open-minded folks and turn that extra horsepower in your veins into a memorable night off the track.
Bassett vs My Old Aeros
I’ve run Aero 52 Series too. The Aeros felt a touch lighter to me and spun nice. The Bassett felt tougher on the lip and truer out of the box. The Bassett beadlock ring seems beefier. It might be in my head, but the car felt calmer when the track got choppy. I’ll still run both if I need spares. But if I’m buying new, I reach for the Bassetts first.
For a detailed comparison between Bassett Racing Wheels and Aero 52 Series wheels, including user experiences and performance evaluations, this forum discussion offers valuable insights.
Tips That Saved Me Headaches
- Use anti-seize on beadlock ring bolts and re-torque after the first run.
- Keep a spare ring and a little bag of bolts. Mud eats hardware.
- If a wheel gets a small wobble, mark it with a paint pen. Use it on the rear, not the front.
- Check lug holes. If they start to egg out, retire the wheel. Don’t gamble.
- Mud plugs help a ton. I use plastic ones with thumb tabs—fast to yank in the pits.
Who Should Run Bassett?
Weekly dirt racers. Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks, Sport Mods—stuff like that. If you want a strong wheel that doesn’t cry when you bounce off a hole, this is your friend. If your rules allow aluminum and you’re chasing every tenth on slick bullrings, you may want lighter. Me? I like the safety and the price. And I don’t mind a few chips. They tell stories.
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My Bottom Line
Bassett Racing wheels gave me a simple thing: trust. I could enter hard, take a hit, and not panic about the rim. They aren’t perfect. The finish wears. The bolts need care. But the wheels are honest. They’re tough, straight, and fair on the wallet. If you're hunting for fresh Bassett rims or any dirt-track essentials, check out PDV Racing for solid pricing and fast shipping.
You know what? That’s all I wanted this season. A few clean laps, a few loud cheers, and hardware that can handle my mistakes. Bassett did that for me. I’m keeping them on for next