I generally subscribe to the "Wider is better" way of thinking, but have noticed often that some very successful racers are sporting tires smaller than the 225\45\17's that I was thinking about getting.
I know I need larger than stock size, but is that size overkill? (STi stock I believe)
BTW I'm looking at Azenis Sports...

Check out KC's and Throppe's setups from the 2004 season. I can't remember their tire sizes off hand but they are the best guys out there and seem to know more about it than anyone (comment based on results from Autocross and I've watched these guys drive- they are awesome).

Depends on the class. What Tom, myself and Steve (mnbiker) did last year was 'try something' with the shortie tires. :) Well... it worked. We used Falken GRB FK451 tires (These are not Azenis tires). I ran 225/35-17s on 7.5" wide rims and Tom and Steve ran 245/35-17 tires on 8" wide rims. These are street tires, and not R-Compounds.

As a general rule, the shorter the tire, the more low end gearing you'll have. With a turbo car with lag, that's not a bad thing. It helps one come out of corners a little more strongly, and with the short-ish sidewall, they generally are stiffer. The 451s we tried HAD TO be shaved to get rid of tread squirm.

If you're just starting out... get the 225/45-17s Azenis for the wagon. They're pretty much the same diameter as the stock tire, and offer great grip at all tread depths. You'll get more runs out of them, and you don't have to worry about changing tires at the event. (The shorter tires threw off the speedo by about 3-5mph at 60 mph.) I would also recommend Azenis to the novice instead of r-compounds... because there's more to learn about your driving on street tires than on R-Compounds. (R's can hide some novice mistakes.. and then novice mistakes will just chew through a set in no time flat... whereas azenis will still last quite a bit longer relatively speaking).

--kC

Didn't you also try some 245/45-16? A 16 x 8" wheel seems ideal.

Yes I did... (Also shaved 451s) when I wanted good width with stock gearing. But I wouldn't advise that on a lowered more than stock car with less than about 8K springs... it'll most likely rub... and same as the 245/35-17s... buy and try at your own risk depending on your suspension and budget... shaved tires can't be returned. ;)

Thanks KC, that sounds good.
I'm making a deal on some 17x7.5" Rota Sub-Zeros right now, and I think I'll go for the Azenis Sports as well! TTYL-

-Rick-