Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Ride like the Champ! METHOD MR501 Rally Wheels

When Subaru Rally Team USA partnered up with Method Race Wheels, it wasn't just Higgins and Drew doing the winning.  These tough rally-bred wheels are available to the general public to purchase online and through a network of distributors.  From street racers to privateer rally teams, these wheels have been making the rounds.  I had been thinking about a set for my 2016 WRX STI for awhile and finally decided to pull the trigger on a set of MR501 wheels.

The MR501 Rally wheel was their first designed for rally racing. Originally developed as a high-offset 15” gravel wheel, the 501 drove Subaru Rally Team USA’s David Higgins and Craig Drew to a Championship the very first year the used them.  SRT USA famously ran through a stage with no tire on the rear drivers-side wheel and still managed to pull out a stage win in 2014.  The wheels have been battle tested and, as a result, have proven their worth.

It seemed fitting to mount these wheels to my "Higgins Blue" WRX STI, so I finally ordered a set for mine.  These are MR501s in 18x8 with a Titanium Finish wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.  The wheels also have a wider offset than the OEM wheels so they fit more flush with the side of the fenders without any rubbing or contact issues.  Each Method wheel includes it's own lug nuts, lug key, hub-centric ring, and Allen-Wrench-Fixed center caps.

The matte finish and cast "METHOD" logo on the wheels are striking and really give this car a tough look.  While this car might not see competitive stage miles, it really helps continue the #75 Theme I have going on this car.  The extra offset also gives me a bit more "bite" through the corners and makes these sticky tires grip even more, so it's even more enjoyable to drive.  I'm ecstatic that I finally have a set to run on my WRX STI and am very happy with how they turned out!

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