Steve,
Who is building the motor? Don Lee? What cam specs are you going with? Any nitrous?

Tim and myself over at Don Lee's... should be easy. Will most likely just hone the cylinders.

Right now I have a 230/232 112 so with the extra displacement I will most likely go 238/240 and the same 112. I really looking to make power with the added displacement but have the car idle/feel the same. And to be honest all I really want is bottom end torque.

The new parts are forged so nitrous is in the future. Maybe just a 100 shot for a little fun.

Steve new wheels for Penny? Are they going to look the same...but just lighter? I guess you have a set for the other car now...at no cost to ''it's" budget!! ;)

No wheels for the Track Rat car.. but they will be Forgelines since I feel the wheels make the car.

The key to building a NICE car on a budget is to save in some places so you can buy nicer stuff in other areas. My paint selection saved me a ton so that money could be put into a few other areas. My engine selection is lower cost, again saving cash.

The new wheels I'm getting for Penny will most likely not be needed for the event, but they are a good deal (yes, I do pay for parts) and it would nice to have another set of "track tires"

Ironically my track tires will have a higher treadwear rating than my street tires.. lol

Does anyone know who(which cars) will show up to this event? I hope steve's new combo will post some fast laps...

I will be there with the Fairlane (see "killer looking Fairlane at Columbus" thread or Super Rod Feb. 2008). I need lots more competition seat time, but I am looking forward to haulin the mail without looking for cops and mini vans.

For the lazy people here's the car.. VERY nice ride and I can't wait to run against it.. :)

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r.../GG2007113.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r.../GG2007111.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r.../GG2007114.jpg

So do I.. lol..

The official name of the car is Bad Penny Version 2.1T (track edition)... lol

I have LOTS to do in a month.. :willy:

Steve,
Thanks for the pic.

Was that car at the Costa Mesa Good guy show?

Funny, I was to lazy to look. I love that car, always one of my favorites!

Did anyone hear the rumor about Dale E. JR. in his 72' ?

That would be ironic because I doubt Jr. ever drives his '73.. ;)

I also heard the Air Rides cars are trying to get Scott Pruett (sp?) to drive thier stuff.

This is turning into serious business... :yes:

Yep.. :)

Like most everything else, he with the most $$ will win. Being able to hire a pro driver is goofy to me, it's your car, drive your own junk around the track. I engineered, built, broke, fixed, and drive my own car. I am honored to be invited, and boy will this be fun.

The did the "driver" deal for several reasons.

1. Some cars at SEMA are there without thier owners.
2. Some owners of high-end SEMA type cars are not drivers.
3. This is a car competion, not a driver competition.

In regards to the last one. They are trying to find the best car. If the owners had to drive thier cars then a lesser car driven by a pro (Dale Jr.) could beat a better car owned by a rookie.

Anyways, that's how it was explained to me. A good driver is the best mod you can make to a car. lol

When Parsons drove his Nova in the auto-x he got a good time. Then Kyle Tucker of DSE got in his car and in the first lap knocked off 2 whole seconds.

I drove Penny at Good Guys and got a good time. I gave the keys to Britt and he knocked off a second the first lap.

Obviously John and myself wern't driving our cars to thier potential.

The BEST way to do this competition would be to have one pro driver pilot ALL of the cars. That's the best way to test cars. Unfortunatly its hard to get people to let some stranger drive thier cars.

I want Penny to turn in the best time possible and Im not so ego driven to think I'm a great driver (I need more seat time) so I asked a friend to drive a protion of the event.

We will see who shows up.. right now it's all just rumor. In any event I'm there to have fun and turn in a respectable time.

Oh, and the most money always wins. That's just life.

In this field my car will one of the cheapest ones there. I will be sure to point that fact out to my wife. lol

but remember, mary has one may races in the 2nd gen against purpose built full tube "race cars"

i hope dale doesnt show then it will be like a overly croweded nascar event:(

I'm looking forward to how this all plays out. Has there been a set time for everyone that is driving over?

yea, his entourage alone would fill the place up... then again, I'm sure Mary and Dave would enjoy going against Jr.

I still say Mary could wipe and autocross track with Jr.. it's not that same deal as a Mile long banked oval.

The thing with Jr's car is that he has unlimited money and resources to tune and tweak his Camaro. Then again, that is what this event is about.

Scott Pruitt was driving all the Air Ride stuff at Goodguys Columbus this year, not cheap I'm sure.

Problem is some of us simply are not drivers and some are. I am a drag racer, not a road coarse guy. I like to drive on the road coarse, but am no road coarse racer. I do not think there is a huge advantage with a good driver / owner that knows his car very well, and a pro driver in a car he does not know.

I think there will be a few "celebrity" drivers.

I agree, the best mod to a car is a good driver. There are lots of people in all walks of life that are better drivers than I, there could be 20 NASCAR teams out there and I would have a blast finishing dead last! I guess what I was trying to say was, even if I had the resources I wouldn't pay someone to build my car, and someone else to drive it. To me thats like buying a ticket for the roller coaster and have someone else ride it. I'll be out there to do my best and look forward to the friendly competition.

Yes he did, and I threw the keys for Project EmptyNest to Scott. He got in the car 10 feet from the starting line, never driven it. And cut a 18.5 lap, 8/10ths quicker then my best time of 19.3, and was as fast as the third fastest SMOY competitor. They counted my time putting me in 10th or something. Imagine what he could have done with a few laps under his belt!

So as Steve mentioned, a great car may not do well with a crappy driver (looks in mirror).

Well I quess I shouldn't feel bad about our "shoe" for the road course being the field is getting some real driver's.
Steve we have found some tires with a 160 rating that are near the sizes we are using on the Vette.

This thing is going to be a blast!!!

Kevin

Steve, and everyone for that matter. Earlier I said, "it's your car, drive your own junk around the track" this was not pointed at anyone specifically. I would never call anyones car junk, I realized my voice inflections and sarcasm don't come through in text. I regularly refer to my own car as my junk or my bucket of bolts. If I offended anyone I do apologize

Nah, I didn't take it that way at all... I understand what you're saying.

Rules and Regulations for the OPTIMA Batteries Ultimate Streetcar Invitational:

1. The OPTIMA Batteries Ultimate Street Car Invitational presented by HOT ROD Magazine is an invite only event limited to 40 participants. 10 invitations will be reserved for vehicles displayed during the 2008 SEMA event.

2. All OPTIMA Batteries Ultimate Street Car Invitational participants must compete in all segments of the event to qualify for The Ultimate Street Car Award:
-Styling
-Autocross
-Acceleration/braking – (0-60-0)
-Lap times (2.2 mile road course)

3. All drivers will be required to sign a liability waiver. Passengers must be at least 18 years of age and will be required to sign the same liability waiver as driver.

4. A mandatory drivers/passenger meeting will be held at Spring Mountain Motorsports Park prior to the first competition.

5. Only official wrist banded drivers and passengers may ride in the cars on the track. The drivers may change during the competition provided they have attended the drivers meeting and have the proper wristband.

6. All vehicles must represent a street capable vehicle with a strong resemblance to a current or former production model. No purpose built race cars or kit cars will be allowed. The only open-wheeled vehicles allowed are '34-and-older domestic vehicles and replicas thereof. Other vehicles such as production “concept” cars may be allowed. This event is designed to be a fun and spirited competition to showcase vehicles conceived and built using parts and manufacturers supported by SEMA.

7. All competitors must have current proof of insurance, and a current driver's license. The following are required: working headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, and a safety-glass windshield. Side windows must roll up and down in the manner designed by the factory. Full hoods are required on all entries.

8. Each entrant will be issued a number which must be clearly visible on the windshield, side windows or rear window. White shoe polish is acceptable.

9. Participants must use DOT approved tires with a tread wear rating of 100 or greater. Tires will be required to pass a technical inspection at the track. The spirit of the event requires the use of a DOT approved “street” tire – no modifications to tires will be acceptable, including shaving. Any vehicle with tires showing any evidence of modification will be immediately disqualified from the event. No racing tires of any sort, including drag radials, will be allowed.

10. Helmet use is required during the lap times segment of the event and is encouraged but not required for any other segment. The autocross course design will attempt to keep speeds below 35 M.P.H.

11. Participating cars must pass a basic safety inspection that will include but may not be limited to the following:
a. Functional seatbelts.
b. Proper brake pedal pressure and travel.
c. Sufficient throttle return spring and secured battery.
d. All lug nuts in place and tight.
e. Hubcaps/clip-on center caps are to be removed.
f. All loose items must be removed from vehicle.
(Floor mats, things hanging from rearview mirror, cassettes, CDs, and glove box, console, trunk items.)

12. Each segment of the event will be timed (except the styling event) and points awarded to each participant based on that time. Points will be cumulative for the four events and the entrant with the most point total after all four segments will be awarded the OPTIMA Batteries Ultimate Street Car. Only entrants completing all four segments of the competition will be eligible to win the grand prize.

13. The styling segment of the event will be determined by a 4 judge panel based on overall quality, design and craftsmanship of the vehicle.

14. Race director and event management staff will have COMPLETE discretion to deny or remove from competition anyone in the event for any reason.

15. The OPTIMA Batteries Ultimate Streetcar Invitational presented by HOT ROD Magazine will be run rain or shine.

In the rules - 11. A. Functional seatbelts
I have aftermarket lap belts, do I need to install a harness?

I have another info sheet thats says four point harness. I'll email you it.

No offense taken.. I beat the crap out of my car.. and I don't mind letting someone else have some fun in it (just ask my CF front spoiler.. lol)

I'm proud of my car and I'm realistic enough to know that it will do better in certain events with a more skilled driver. Plus I think it would be fun to team up with the Pozzi's.

Heavy hitters with deep pockets will be at this event. I want to place well for the site, but most of all I want my car to be used to it's potential.

So we're all good and I can't wait to hang out with you at the event. :)

There's that stupid "turn signals" rule... argh.. what's next "back up lights" .. lol

The rules I got also said harness.

Side windows must roll up and down in the manner designed by the factory.

Roll up side windows? What side windows, we don't need no stinking side windows.

Kevin

steve just dont let nick drive your car cause that track doesent have grass!!!
its got dirt with big rocks and small mounds... lol

While I would thoroughly enjoy having everyone speculate until the last moment about us having Scott Pruitt at the Optima event, I have to speak up now and say that it likely won't happen. I had contemplated at one time having Scott come out to drive for us, but you guys are right...it would quickly turn into a "one upmanship" game of drivers and dollars. I don't think this is what anyone had in mind.
I'm going to be driving the Velocity Camaro and Ty Hauer from our shop will be driving the Goodguys Nova. Ty keeps our hotrods running and is at the same skill and experience level any other competitor attending, maybe less. I have a few more laps under my belt but likely less talent than most.
I think having a pro driver attend is a nice sidebar to an event like this...most of these guys are hotrodders at heart and love a chance to tear it up in a street car...but that seems a bit discouraging to the guys who are building, driving, and paying for their own cars.

Well said and good for you. I think it would be funner if it was driver/owner required. Either way should be a cool event. I will still be in the stands cheering for the Lat-G guy's :yes:

They had better take out "cone insurance" ;)

lol

I predict Jr. will show up with his entire NASCAR pit crew and rig. :willy:

I'm sharing driving duties with the Pozzi's because they are cool and way smarter dialing in the car than I am.

How many of the cars do you think will have license plates with current registration?

Depending on where the last fuel stop is, I may drive my car from SEMA to the event.

Optima Ultimate "Streetcar" Invitational

I wonder how many totally fresh SEMA cars will be there?

Hell, mine does.. I was going to drive it to Vegas and trailer it home.. lol

I heard Optima was saving 10 invites for cars from SEMA, could be some really good fresh stuff, can't wait to see it!