All in fun, but it seems Big Red wasn't up to the competition.

It's time we recognize that the latest generation of Pro-Touring cars has surpassed earlier generations. It's a good thing. It's what our hobby is all about.

jp

Plus it was disqualified for no brake lights and shaved tires (so I heard)... It's really not a "streetcar" anyways.. but it sounds insane when it starts up. Nice to see some rolling history.

Like I said, Penny still has stuff that needs addressing. More bar, less springs, better breathers, properly tuned. Also, I never had time to get a more aggressive alignment dialed in so I was just on my street tune... stuff like that. I need to go defend the title next year. Maybe in that time I can get some more seat time (and maybe I won't have to work the event).

I'm real proud of how she did on the big track. It was her FIRST time on a real track and Dave was pretty happy. He said that the harder you pushed her the better she did and if you just went balls out then she did the best. Tyler can tell you, Dave went 10/10ths in her and that's what I wanted, the car driven to it's potential.

Very true.. The ZR1 could have but nobody else.. Big Red is freaking history and the very best at what it does.

Wow, Wow, and Wow:yes: What a car! Congrats to all involved. I would love to see Penny run someday. I hope to be at that facility in '09 for some training-driving.

Wow! I knew the car would work well, and that the driver staff would kick booty, but didn't expect them to win overall! Would've been nice if Kyle was on the same tires, would have been a better comparison on the road course.

The really interesting thing is the measure of the cars that didn't win. GT3!?! Z06!!?!?! That's pretty serious company. It is tough to get an absolute assessment of the Pro Touring cars, because until now, they have typically been compared to each other, but not some other established benchmark. I mean, all of us in the Pro Touring community "knew" how competent a well set up PT car can be, but this really seals the deal. Incredible.

Frank put it correctly. Knowing Steve personally, his desire, determination, and persistance on this project have been more than anyone can imagine. Yes, lots of help from some really capable folks, but he's the one that keeps pressing on, relentlessly.

Sorry I missed it, and all of the folks who attended. Would have certainly beat sniffing welding fumes all day yesterday!

Well deserved congratulations to all, that is just terrific. And yes, Dave looks as cool as a cucumber in that shot, note his eyes looking for the apex.... Sounds like Mary nailed it too, very cool!!!

Get some rest, sounds like you all need it. Hope you popped open some well deserved champagne last night!

Mark

P.S: Kevin, does the vette you guys brought from CARS run an IRS setup, or a stick axle? More pics?

Mark

And now for the most important thing: :_paranoid

How well did the fuel venting system work? :question:

jp

David Pozzi drove the wheels off that car! It was amazing how much speed most of the cars carried through the corners. Perfect end of a long week! It's amazing to see all these super builds get out there and tear it up!! :unibrow:

I'll post some pictures in a few.

Thanks to all those, especially Optima Batteries, for making this event possible.

A few pictures until Tony gets his uploaded
 

This was the who's who event for Pro Touring (for me anyways) Really outstanding showing (DSE, Air Ride, GForce, Big Red (RJ, was great to meet you guys--thanks for the time) Roadster Shop (Phil Gerber) Campbell Auto Restoration (Shelby Wright), and all the others.

A couple of things;

1. Big Red was very cool and a dream come true to see it in person--let alone see it on the road course. I spoke with RJ for awhile and he admitted it wasn't going to be setup for an auto cross event. The car was built to go fast on the open road. He was dropped from the overall competition and subjected to exhibition runs only. I think this car was the prerunner to the movement we call protouring now.

2. It was obvious who the professional drivers were. I would have liked to have seen Mary in every car on the autocross and her husband (can't remember his name) in every car on the road course and see where the points fell. Mary did climb in quite a few cars for the autocross. Every car she sat in went faster--amazing to see. It appeared anyone of the cars could have taken the title. The fastest lap time on the open road course was from a 66 or 65 Shellby Mustang with leaf springs (Not sure if this ended up being the fastest lap after the second round)

3. The guys from G-Force design did everything they could to stay in the hunt. We had some laughs while they adapted the oil cap from the rented Escalade to a radiator hose and fastened it with worm clamps to the valve cover to overcome a leaky oil cap. I should have taken a pic--too funny and a cool bunch of guys.

4. Kyle and Stacy--a class act all the way as usual

5. Air Ride lost the tranny and only had 1st and 2nd gear. Bowler Trans guys tried to get a fix on it, but to no avail.

I spoke with Scott from Ultima --they are planning for next year--come if you can--really, really cool. Tony, Todd and John--was great to meet you guys.

I have some crappy videos from the camera I can load if no one else has anything better.

Doug

The Mustang had the second fastest lap time of the day... unfortunatly it broke (oil issue?) after the first timed lap.. that thing HAULED ASS...

The guys at G-Force are NUTS.. they did crazy things to get Fuel ready for the event including rebuilding most of the car the night before in the ATS shop. They should get big respect for going 100% and that car gets the piss driven out of it.

Air Ride and DSE are always class acts.. The Roadster Shop's Chevelle is killer and they have been working hard to tune it for the track.. and it shows in thier ever improving lap times.

The Fairlane was beautiful as was the black second gen. Both look like top shelf show cars but the owners brougth them out and ran them VERY hard. Made me proud to see.

The Corvette from CAR was great and sounded like hell unleashed. Great car and one hell of a driver.

An amazing event and the best part was getting to talk with some many gearheads.

Oh, and if you have video post it up...