The steelies will not have much effect. Especially in the begining. Run the "R" compounds. Maybe later you could get a set of the Civic HX wheels. I paid $400.00 for factory blems on ebay. They weigh 11.5 pounds each and they are 14X5.5 so you can stay in HS class. $100 for the tires is awesome. They cost $125 EACH new. You will seriously cut 2 seconds off your time with or without the alloys. Where do you live? What region are you running in?