Wide 5 hubs / Wheels

As I look at these wide 5 hubs, the more curious I get about them, with google failing to point me to more information about them.

Can someone point me towards any history/info/etc about them?

http://www.wilwood.com/Hubs/HubList5.aspx

Most of the circle track guys use and love them because they're set up to run the same bearing set as they use on their ford 9 rear ends, so they only have to keep one bearing size on hand.

Go to Howeracing.com they have some info there. Also, they have other spindle/ hub options.

The Wide Five hub a different way to run the big wheel bearings. By big wheel bearings Artos pointed out that you can use the same bearings that the ford 9" rear axle uses for outer axle bearings.

There are also other hubs that use the same hub and bearings as a wide five, but have a regular 4.75" or 5" bolt pattern.

The wide five hub was some genius's way of replacing heavy steel, with light cast aluminum. Because, in most upper stock car classes, racecars must use steel wheels. (especially at the bead)

Simplified; They knocked out the center of a steel racing wheel. Leaving only outer ring, therefore reducing the weight of the wheel. then they made a cast aluminum magnesium alloy hub to take the place of the removed steel.

If you dont have rules limiting your wheels to being made of steel, then I would recommend getting the big bearing hubs that you can bolt your Corvette wheels to. 

very interesting. gm bolt pattern would be nice....
know of a source?

Yup.
http://www.howeracing.com/p-7542-small-five-hub.aspx
thats a link to Howe racings small five front hub.
you can also google Howe racing small five hub. They have them in aluminum and steel.
I'll look up the big bearing spindle. but basically its a tubular spindle with a larger diameter bearing surface. About the same I.D. as an axle tube.

Summit also sells these but im not sure if they have exactly what you need.