Lateral-g Forums - Danny Popp Wins 2011 Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational

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- - Danny Popp Wins 2011 Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational (https://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php?t=34206)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregWeld (Post 379850)

We're having a discussion here that IMPLIES that anyone that wants to build something can come and play and run. THAT IS JUST NOT SO.... it's a "golden ticket" car - or an INVITEE. So the whole notion of "it's going to turn into such and such and event" is mute. It WILL turn into whatever the good folks that put it on want it to be.

Sorry, this is really bugging me because I'm OCD and pedantic...

it's moot :D

Oh yeah --- I totally get it.

I don't think my car belongs in the event.... For all the reasons mentioned above - cage - jerico - locker - no windows - lexan - no anything... it's a race car.

I did like the EVENT because it was really really interesting to see how well all the different "VERSIONS" ran. How they sounded. How much body roll they had. The imports vs the big inch motors etc. To me - the VARIETY is what made it so much fun this year. Every car out there was really unique and it was just great watching them all. Frankly I was more impressed with the cars that had all the shizzel and paint -- run their little asses off against the cars that were obviously purpose built. The show cars turned in a very impressive effort! And I don't know anyone that wouldn't LOVE to own a 800 hp (or whatever - I'm just tossing a number here) brand new CTS V or Camaro and be able to drive it to LA from Vegas and back....

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxHarvard (Post 379863)

Sorry, this is really bugging me because I'm OCD and pedantic...

it's moot :D

FIXEDEDEDED it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregWeld (Post 379865)

FIXEDEDEDED it!

CANNOT COMPUTE HORRIBLE GRAMMAR!!!

http://gifs.gifbin.com/1238157980_sc..._explosion.gif

:lol: :lol:

I said 3 years ago, just watch this whole ProTouring thing is going the evolve the same way Prostreet did, into the PCSA fast street car class etc.
it just seems to be natural progress. Can't stop it, if you look back at the PT cars at Sema 5 years ago, I will use the Black /Orange stripe 69 camaro we built as an example compared to what is being built now, I will use the Orange and Black 70 camaro of Brians, (great car by the way)or even Mary's Car there is a HUGE differance

I think you will see more and more race cars at Optima in the future. or the same red camaro will win every year.
Remember when Bad penny won the first year, and this year if it was there would have finshed somewhere arround 15-20th, NO Disrespect to Steve or BP. I am sure the Speedtech Nova would not have finished 5th this year, competition is getting stronger and it's run what ya brung and hope you brung enough!! only way to do that is to build a race car.
Just sayin.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregWeld (Post 379854)

The thread turned from a discussion about the event into a discourse about what peoples opinions are of what constitutes a race car vs a street car.

My point was/is that none of that really matters for the purposes of an all invite only event.

Is it all invite? I'm asking, but I thought if you won one of the qualifier events at Goodguys throughout the year, you automatically got an invite. Is that true, or do you have to win, and also have them invite you?

Like I said, I don't know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by killer69 (Post 379872)

Exactly!! Only race cars with lights, blinkers, current registration, and 200 tw tires.

If you win select events throughout the year, you get an "Invite" automatically for racing your way into the event.

In my case and many, you get personally invited to be a part of the event.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Track Junky (Post 379848)

My $.02

I had my car for 5 years before I transformed it into a dedicated track car. Can I still drive it on the street? Yup!! Registered and insured. Do I care to drive it on the street. Hell No!!

The track is the funnest place to drive my car and I dont like screwing around on the street because its not safe and disrespectfull to the public around you.

Some people here need to wake up and smell the coffee. Most all the builds you see on this site today are track/autocross motivated. There is a trend and we have shifted gears. We are now at a point where we are building race cars, running them, and loving it!!

Rename the event? Thats their call and I could care less. But the reality is that we have some talented builders and drivers on this site and have turned this hobby into a sport. I belive it's called evolution and it wont stop.

There will be a day when we have set safety requirements and more stringent rules due to safety and the race cars will continue to be built and the fan base will continue to grow larger.

Quote:

Originally Posted by killer69 (Post 379872)

Two great quotes and I agree with you guys whole heartedly (spelled ok Max? :D ). As Blake said, it happened in other race series and is the evolution of our hobby/sport right now and people are bringing it. Optima will decide what the invite/qualification criteria will be and we will compete accordingly. At some point, just like the low 8 second World's Fastest Street Car, it'll be for the really big boys only (I'm not in that club, BTW). Watching this year, I think it already is.

Oh, and I'm fine with that. :thumbsup:

I'm not sure I agree with the hobby is going to "Race Car". The event winners are certainly headed that way. Go to RTTC and tell me it's dominated by race cars. It's dominated by a agreat bunch of guys with slow pro touring cars. I still see alot of builds catered towards weekend warriors with families and cruising in mind. As usual, the big egos and wallets are wanting to one up the last guy. :unibrow: The vendors have all been sucked into this mindset as well. How many out there are claiming there stuff rides the best, has the longest longevity? We're not reinventing the wheel here. How long have guys been road racing and autocrossing muscle cars? The difference is guys are trying to build cars capable of doing two things well. Cruising and racing. Delicate line to walk.

I'm with Gaetano, I've damn near quit driving my car on the street. I just enjoy the events and racing. I'd rather have a race car to be perfectly honest at this point.