Formula Vee Chassis Blue Prints Available or For Sale?

[Marc]

In my experience, the only time one need fear slicks is when the track is wet or greasy. On a dry surface, they'll make you feel like Superman compared to anything treaded.
There are racing classes which require tires with a DOT treadwear rating of 200 or above, and about a dozen makers building tires specifically targeted to that market. They cost ~$250 each, and generally only come in larger-diameter sizes as is fashionable these days - not really what you want.
Several "race-tire" manufacturers build treaded tires which are made specifically for classes which require a "DOT" tire but have no minimum treadwear rating. Since it costs money to undergo each section of the testing, tire-makers can forego the treadwear part and pass the savings on to the customer, hence the existence of "street-legal" tires with a DOT treadwear rating of 000 - or as I call them, "cheat-stock" tires. Even in the softest pavement compound these are expected to last through a few weekends' racing on a full-weight (~2500lb) car so they might hold up for a year on a lightweight.
As a rule, you want to run a wider rim for racing than you'd use for the same width tire on the street. By pulling the sidewalls out, they're stiffened which improves the tire's stability. For street use, a 205/50 or /55 would normally call for a 5½ to 7½" rim but for racing you'd want 7-8". So, 7" would be tolerable but personally I'd go with 8" (or come down to a 195 tire).
http://www.yokohamatire.com/tires_101/c ... eel_width/
Stock "Karmann-Ghia" front calipers may or may not fit inside a 13" steel rim - it depends upon the backspace and the shape of the inner "bell" of the rim. You can grind a bit off of the caliper if necessary, but typically only ~¼". Drum brakes should be adequate in the rear. Ford Pinto/Mustang II discs work inside most 13" rims; they have a 4x4¼" bolt pattern...that takes care of the front but it takes custom drums to make the rears match. All things considered, 4x100mm is probably the best choice for a lug pattern simply because it is so common (and 4x100 rear VW drums are readily available from the aftermarket).