I got real luck Saturday. Wheel failed not just the tire. Flew down to Jeffco (BJC) for the start of an air rally. Line of planes waiting, I slowly move up to #1. I'm cleared for takeoff, take my feet off the brakes and start on the throttle. There is a loud pop and the nose sinks a few inches. Tell the tower, shut down, and see the front tire is flat. Closer inspection reveled that wheel had failed, spilt in half. Thirty seconds later I'd have been doing 40 or so. Didn't get to race but the plane is in one piece. We were back in the air 6 hours later and made dinner at Jackpot (06U). But that's another story.