If 3/5 of the people in the race are riding bicycles, their number is 3/5 * 40 people = <<3/5*40=24>>24 people
Since a bicycle has 2 wheels, and 24 people were riding on a bicycle each, the total number of bicycle wheels in the race is 2 wheels/bike * 24 bikes = <<2*24=48>>48 wheels
The number of racers on tricycles is 40 people - 24 people = <<40-24=16>>16 people
Since a tricycle has 3 wheels, and 16 people were riding on a tricycle each, the total number of tricycle wheels in the race is 3 wheels/trike * 16 trikes = <<3*16=48>>48 wheels
The combined total for bicycle and tricycle wheels in the race is 48 wheels + 48 wheels = <<48+48=96>>96 wheels
#### 96