If you want to get into safety, I totally agree. It should at least have a roll bar. That is why I have a cage. This is the fine line we are at. I don't have the answer you guys are looking for. Safety is very important and I don't want to see something bad happen out there at these really cool events.

As far as wipers go, that is a must and should be part of the tech inspection if it is not already.

I don't think anyone is attacking your car. Your car is bad ass. I took tons of pictures of it. I also saw you driving it out of SEMA in the rain.
I think there needs to be some rules/guide lines/classes moving forward. It will make the event better and continue its growth in the future.

Thanks for the props on my car. I guess it is hard not to take it as an attack as I had one of the few cars with no door glass. I understand where some people are coming from. That is why I am looking into adding power windows, a stereo, and a cup holder over the winter. It won't hurt my performance.:D

Standings in all the events
 

Overall OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car

1st – Danny Popp, 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

2nd – Mark Stielow, 1969 Camaro

Raybestos Performance Design Competition

1st – Phil Gerber, 1967 Chevy Nova

2nd – Curt Ukasic, 1962 Nova Runt

BFGoodrich Hot Lap Challenge

1st – Danny Popp, 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (Fastest time 01:42.208)

2nd – Pete Callaway, 2008 Callaway Corvette SC652 (Fastest time 01:44.749)

Ridetech Street Challenge Autocross Competition

1st – Danny Popp, 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (Fastest time 00:38.251)

2nd – Mary Pozzi, 1973 Chevrolet Camaro RS (Fastest time 00:39.414)

Wilwood Disc Brakes Speed Stop Challenge

1st – Gary Rubio, 2009 Nissan GTR (Fastest time 00:06.541)

2nd – Mark Stielow, 1969 Camaro (Fastest time 00:07.096)

I love the build, and wouldn't change a thing. I've been saying I was going to put door glass in mine since I built it, its yet to happen. There is always going to be somebody crying about something.

Look, there is always going to be someone with deeper pockets, or better access to parts or technoligy. All we can do is build what WE like, and enjoy beating on it, the rest is just noise. Ron

Brian

I love your car. I followed the whole build and it looked and worked great in real life. The stance is killer and it has a very serious look to it.

BTW where did you finish over all? I have not seen any overall results yet.

Stielow

Ron,

I did build it the way I like it and thank you! It is now at the point I question if I should go to any of these events as the crying is taking all the fun out of it.

Brian

Ill still be there cheering you on!


I demand to have a shot at you at some point in the future, and not on slicks!

Mark,

I finished 3rd. I would love to see the point breakdown. I think I had 67 points to your 80. I am disappointed with myself on the brake challenge and a bit on the autocross. To be where you were last year on the road course (148.879) being my first time on that track and only the 4th time ever on a road course made me feel good. The judges seem to like my car and that really made the hard work of my Dad, Maier Racing, and my shop Car West Elite feel very proud.

You did a great job and I think your car is the best all around Camaro ever built. You have set the standard we all look up to.

Brian

I have been involved in these philosophical discussions before and came to the conclusion that you can't please all of the people all of the time. I admit I did not follow Brian's build thread but will probably go back and look at it when I can find some time. I think the execution was excellent. The flares, stance, and the paint to name a few.

Mark's Camaro is the benchmark in my opinion. It can rip your throat out as well as idle through rush hour without incident. (not that you would want to, but sometimes it just happens) I dream of being in a position to own one of his cars someday. Charley can't buy em all forever. :lol:

For these two guys to be that close to Danny in the C6 speaks volumes for the cars, preparation and their drivers.

Bottom line is I enjoy participating at these events when I can seeing how I measure up to these guys (and girl Mary). The rules will be what accomplishes the organizer's goals, but "run whatcha brung" (within reason) is what makes these things cool. They don't have to make a wagon class for Parkhurst, he gets satisfaction from beating smaller, lighter cars that, on paper, should be faster.

You can't please everybody. Don't mess with a good thing.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


I'd vouch for that.... and frankly - this whole debate is nonsense.... Everyone knows - certainly anyone that has ever raced anything - rules are made to be broken... This is an INVITATIONAL... for fun... event... it's not a 1MM purse.... It's an invitational folks! "They"... spend the money to put it on -- "They" get to invite anyone "They" feel like. The owners/builders can decline the invite should they choose to. My guess is... not many that were offered an invite turned them down.

Why is it that only the people that DID NOT have anything to do with it - have such strong opinions about what the event is or isn't. You don't hear any whining from the participants do ya?? I'd be willing to bet THEY had the time of their lives!


BRIAN --- IF you don't come to the events -- I will personally hunt you down, and kick you in the knee cap! :D

I saw this at SEMA and was hoping that this would run at OUSCI. Not every day you see a 3rd gen set up like that.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSC04204.jpg

What a bad ass event! I came down with 3 of my friends, 2 I've known since grade school. We rounded up enough money and support to make it happen, even borrowed a truck and enclosed trailer! None of us had ever been to this kind of deal before. The car has been down the 1/4 a few times and gets driven everywhere.
Half way through Saturday we had fixed a few issues with the car and helped the Daytona stay on track. By the end of the night, we had learned a bunch, met a lot of really great people and even got invited to do a photo shoot. I also learned who Danny Popp was, his and Marks name were constantly circling the crowds.

It's hard to set rules and define a class. The two groups, A and B, seemed to separate the fast and the really fast cars. Streetable? Any car can be streetable. I've got a buddy who races a street roadster at Bonneville. This year he ran 219mph backwards through the 4 mile, two weeks later he was at a cruise night.

All I can hope for in future events is that it's not just high end cars. I'm not talkin beaters, but well built non race cars...hard to define I guess... Make it so the Pipefitter with two kids and a F'ed up mortgage can come and have fun, just sayin.

Dan

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN' 'BOUT!


Thanks for posting! And if you're from Renton - why didn't you look me up??

Class acts and benchmark Camaro's. :thumbsup:

Could not agree more. :thumbsup:

Greg, you know we are pals and all... but Jimi did say to keep the comments and opinions coming... it's not only about what the big names think, and I think that's just swell. :D

Oh, I went down to see Roy the other day... man your car is lookin and runnin like shiat. :lol:

Wrong.. sorry

Why do I need wipers and a heater? I live in SoCal.. when I had a car with wipers I think I might have used them once.. I drove my cars 90 miles up the Dragon with no wipers.. think I'm doin' just fine :)

They already test for lights, blinkers, brake lights and a horn..

I sorta agree on side glass.. but who are we to tell some thier car isn't "a street car" just because they don't care to have side glass? Carpet? Really? Lots of cars came from the factory with just a rubber mat.. I think they were street cars.

Next thing people will demand the car has a nice audio system and cup holders.. lol

Great event.. I'm shocked that Popp won it in his bitchen 'Vette (ok, not really)

No inspection in Cali..

I would like to second this opinion.. badass car that I would be happy to own and drive.. Both his and Marks (and Mary's) should be inspirational to our hobby.

Well done to all the competitors! :thumbsup:

Don't let it bug you.. some cried that my car was a "race car" the first year when it won.. the interweb is full of opinions and armchair quarterbacking.

You have a great car that you love to drive and it kicks ass.. in the end what else matters? Look forward to runnin' with ya next season :)

Haters gonna' hate.. lol

And just what the heck is wrong with cup holders?? :D




I seem to remember having a very good argument with some guy named Frisbee about cup holders NOT belonging in a '32 Ford.... To which I finally said - HEY! You know what? It's my car - and I pay the bill... start drawing up a console with cup holders!:D Beside that - they hold my sunglasses!

You know what they say about opinions..... :rofl: :cheers:


Car went in there as a POS.... can't get any worse can it?? :willy:

Mr. Weld in action!

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...94568883_n.jpg

Steve,
Doesn't matter where you live a street car has wipers and heater to defrost the windows. (I'm talking fix roof car) You chose to remove those items. So you removed those items from your car and truck that you drive daily since you live in Socal?
Carpet or rubber mat is fine, I just used carpet as an example. I don't think a bare metal shell is a street car.

Myself or anyone here for that matter can not tell anyone what to do to their cars. However Optima can tell us what they consider a street car and define the rules of what The Ultimate Street Car is.
We can all throw out our opinions, they will chose the path on what they want for future events. The sport and event is growing, its evolving, its getting better.

I'm not seeing the hating and crying. I think you guys are getting your panties in a bunch over a little healthy dialog.

More pics
http://www.bangshift.com/gallery/Opt...1-gallery.html

May have already been posted ...

I think I will start looking to buy me a used V8Aussie Supercar.They have wiper's,side glass, 4doors,complete set of working head and tail lights.When I get it home all I will need to do is throw down carpet and install a radio in the dash,& cup holders,And I'm go to go for next year's Optima.Do any of you out there have problem's with this.:D :D

To be honest I wouldn't mind a cup holder or two..

Me neither.. it's a saying.. but knocking Hobart's Camaro because it doesn't fit someone's definition of a "street car" is funny.

His car was within the rules and he likes it.. good enough for me.

So now "street car" equals "daily driver"? And I didn't build my truck, GM did.. My truck also doesn't have a Racepak or 10 layers of clearcoat.

And I do get what you're saying.. I'm just saying that it's rather subjective.. will AC be required next? People have different levels of what they find acceptable.. some don't mind wearing a jacket if it's cool out.. some don't mind rain-x.. some like the look of a fabricated metal floor.

What makes a car a "street car" is the ability to drive it on the street over long distances on a regular basis. This means it idles, doesn't overheat, takes pump gas, has the basic safety equipment (brake lights, turn signals, horn, etc).

To me a car with a straight gear race transmissing is less of a street car than one without a heater.. my that's just me. How streetable is a three-inch race clutch?

Each year Optima refines thier rules and each year the races will read the rules and see what "they can get away with".. it's how all racing works.

Again, congrats to everyone that had the gut to go out and beat on such a sweet collection of cars.. was a blast to cover.

Damn, I would like to get that guy's contact info.. would run that in the magazine for sure.. nice!

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...b/IMG_4148.jpg

Absolutely positively the hottest car there--and one of my most favoritest Camaros of all time. A lot.

Didn't I see you having sex with that car when you thought nobody was lookin? lol

If you or anybody else is referring to me, you completely misunderstood my comments. For the record, I'm not knocking anybody's car. If you feel I am, oh well.

No.. not you.. or anyone in particular.. And I didn't mean "knocking" as in "the car is bad".. more like "It's not a streetcar because x"

The short answer is that it fit the definition of a streetcar as defined in the OUSCI rules.. if the rules change then I guess the car would have to change. Just like driver rules have changed over the years.

:)

I agree....

Well see everyone has a different opinion on what they would consider a street car, even by what you consider streetable some would not of been able to compete.
I heard some cars tranny clanking and I know I smelt my fair share of race fuel at the event.
I've voluteered, I've been a spectator and to me this event is really getting better and better every year.
One thing we can all look forward to is next years event and what cars will be racing to take the title.

What a great weekend, one of the coolest events we've ever been a part of! We had a blast! Hope we can make it down next year, brotha! :cheers:

Wasn't me.. :rolleyes:

I cant say its a strong opinion because I still read, view, and follow the event as much as anyone can without being there. But...

I have an opinion because I own and or am shopping for many of the parts offered by vendors supporting this event.

I have an opinion because Im a fan and like to root for the home team. (Go Pro Touring!)

I have an opinion because I am the target audience and not those invited. The sponsors did not rent out the track just to throw a thank you party for everyone using their products.

Oh and they asked for it.

For the record, I followed Brians build every time he posted an update and even on days he didnt. Its an incredible machine and I think its cool as expletive for being driven on the street and hope some day I'll get to see it run in person. But it just doesnt fit into my definition of a Pro Touring car. Its a street driven purpose built autocross car. Being that this was the Optima Street Car Challenge, it fits for the sponsor. This after all is not Chris' Pro Touring Challenge. I think we are all just looking for a way to level the playing field for what most of us are building and believe to be a Pro Touring car.