In a message dated 11/11/99 10:41:16 PM Eastern Standard Time,
Wolfvan88@AOL.COM writes:

<<  This lip stiffens the rim to keep it
 from flexing, without it will crack and fail, that is why he would not touch
 the rim.  He learned from his racing past, that it will fail.

 >>
  plus the only way your wheels would "flex" here is if you had like 2 or 3
lug bolts holding your wheels on...but then youve got other problems.
ps, i have yet to see a steel vw wheel "crack"

chris