Danny Popp Wins 2011 Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational
 

It was down to the wire and he got some help, but Danny Popp won the deal!

http://www.bangshift.com/blog/Breaki...k-Stielow.html

Do 2006 Vettes even count? :D Just kidding, congrats!!

The fact that Mark was able to be that close to a new style corvette with what looks like some serious parts, in a 43 year old car is just testimony to what a hell of a car he built and what a great driver he is.

Mark "lost" by being 2 seconds slower on the road course -- other than that it was a TIE for 1st on points overall...

The whole thing was EPIC!

My feet and legs are falling off -- I'm sunburned -- and I just now got back to my Vegas room after leaving this AM @ 4:30 and I wouldn't trade it for anything... OPTIMA once again put on a great event and I loved every minute of it!

Amen:thumbsup: I have to add, he is doing it in TRUE protouring fashion as well. His car weighs 3600lbs and it ain't no racecar with license plates. I'll leave it at that.

I saw the note on BS website, congratulations to Danny on the win! And what a great car, and congratulations to Mark Stielow, no matter what car beats Red Devil, it's still #1, and all the fuzz it has been made aroun Red Devil at SEMA it's amazing, you've nailed it Mark.

Congrats to Danny, is there any info on his vette? And any info on how all the competitors had done??

Stielow took first in the "Pro-Touring" class.. ;)

Congrats to Mark. How did Mary do?

Todd don't hold back on us now bro.....

I worked Tech this year.... and the auto cross.... and the StopTech stop box... so got to touch - see - and watch every single car there on a close up basis.

Remember that this is "THEIR" (sponsors) show... they get to run it anyway they want to. I'm just happy they allow all of us to be a part of it.

Having said that -- and having worked this event since day one.... I don't care what kind of a car it is -- the BIGGEST DIFFERENCE out there is the driver. I saw extreme quality (i.e., BIG MONEY) cars running - some low dollar (no slam here because there was nothing out there I didn't want to own!)....and everything in between. EVERYONE ran 'em hard, and often.

The lines have gotten blurred between "street" and "race"... and it's getting harder and harder to distinguish what IS and what ISN'T. The more rules you make - the more rules get bent or circumvented.

I personally would like to see a "fighting chance" given to the more "street car" vs the more "race car" as far as scoring/winning. Maybe have a group place cars in "A" and "B" group to distinguish them. A pro in a race car is certainly going to beat a home built/never been on a track before guy. END OF STORY. My guess is - if you asked the home/novice driver if he'd run again -- he'd be slathering at the chance!

BUT == There's always a big BUTT in the room isn't there? LOL ----- Watching the "race cars" run - and hearing them - and watching how these guys run the lines vs the other guys - is what we ALL learn from... and without them this event wouldn't be nearly as exciting.

Back in the day --- What the Mule/Red Devil are now --- they were race cars vs what the other stuff was. Think about it -- they had the biggest HP and biggest brakes and roll bars... the best suspensions....and drivers that had lots of experience. They pushed the envelope of what was street and what was nearly a race car.... EVERYONE RAISED THEIR GAME because of cars like this.

You go out there and watch Mary Pozzi -- Brian Hobaugh -- Mark Steilow -- Danny Popp - Kyle and Stacy Tucker - and a few others.... and you know you can put these people in ANY CAR OUT THERE and they'd be far higher on the leader board than the car/driver that ran. It's amazing to watch these truly talented people wheel a car around.

Every one of these cars had to drive out to the event... about 45 miles -- they did it in the rain and snow... from downtown Vegas.. over the mountain pass... in stop and go traffic... They're all running STREET tires... and then they got beat on like a judge beats his teenage daughter (had to get that in! HAHAHA). I just about s*** myself when I was up in my room and heard some badazz car ripping down LV Blvd -- I look out over the the lake and here goes Innovator! He was rattling my windows on the 18th floor. Gawd I loved that! AND it's raining.... Then to watch that bad boy ripping the back straight... looking and sounding like a real race car. EPIC!

I'm not defending or taking a side -- I'm just saying -- there is no separation any more - and nice paint and fit and finish or having a full roll cage and the widest tire on the planet or the biggest 400 piston caliper... or a full carbon fiber front end and carbon fiber wheel hoops.... WHAT IS or ISN'T a race car anymore?? Carbon fiber parts were -- catch word there -- the exclusive domain of the top Formula One teams! WTF.... there was more carbon fiber out at OUSCI.... and shocks with canisters... and big cube 1000 hp turbo whooptedoo....

The real separation ---- THE DRIVERS. OMG there where some drivers out there... :cheers:

I'm not picking on anybody and don't want to start a pissing match. My point, cars are constantly moving away from the roots of protouring and becoming race cars with lights, 200 treadwears, and plates. This a very declicate subject but I have a good feel for the end product. I'd consider my car somewhere in the middle. If I had it to do over again, I'd likely be one of the guys with a car more catered to the track vs. the street. That's just what I enjoy the most. I'm not 18 anymore and I don't find many places to let 666hp breath around here. Not safely at least.

Bottom line, my point is that Mark is doing it with a car that is really the definition or protouring.

This site is Lateral-G, so I think the opinions reflect as such....
Anyone who knew the players and cars knew how it was going to turn out. Stielow's "tie" is a phenomenal feat when you really break it down.

I've already heard rumblings of a 2 class system for next year and I hope it really comes to fruition. I am confident Jimi and the organizers will adjust to the growth and change of this event. It ain't an easy task that's for sure.

Greg makes goint points (for once :lol:) that it continually raises the bar and paves new paths for others -- both the cars themselves and the actual driving.

But there should be some integrity maintained here eh? I saw one car didn't even have side windows. Come on. Ultimate Streetcar.

Again, it ain't my show, but this thing surely has shifted gears in its young existence.

I am with Todd, and I see many others that I know and talk to shaping their cars (either during the build, or after completion) for more track duty than for 1000 mile cruising than ever before. And I do like that.

Don't get me wrong, I ain't complaining. This is still the pinnacle of "Pro Touring on the track"! :thumbsup:

WE agree 100%


I just don't want people that weren't there -- to read stuff like this and start forming UNINFORMED opinions about what the event should or shouldn't be.... and sadly that's what starts to happen. These types of events are GOOD for us and our industry... and we need to support them 100% and the sponsors that toss perfectly good money at this stuff.

I'd like to see this get added to the rules. What street car doesn't have this?

Carpet
Wipers
Heat and the defrost must work.
Side windows must roll up and down.
test to see all lights working properly
horn

Lets stay true the title of the event. Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational.

You are right, I'm definitely not taking anything away from the event or the winner. I don't care what he was driving, it's still a great accomplishment. I was fortunate to run it last year and would love to do it again. It's not called the ultimate protouring street car invitational. I'm just puffing out my chest for the capabilities of our hobby and the cars we build.

Well.... lights - both headlight and taillights - as well as working brake lights were part of tech... as was a thorough tire inspection - and the cars weren't considered tech'd until a marking was on EVERY tire... tread - treadwear ratings - wheel bearings etc were all checked... Heaters not so much.... My roadster didn't have a heater until I added it. A horn is a requirement in order to get a license plate in most states... Get a ticket for not having one!

So -- I couldn't run my ROADSTER if it was chosen? No top - no side windows... No fenders... Aircraft carpeting because it is super lightweight compared to automotive version...

What about my LSX blown TR3? (man would that be a shoehorn!!) LOL

They'd have to take away some of the 10 cars that WON golden tickets to OUSCI because of winning a RTT(X) event....

That's the problem with RULES...

From 10,000 feet ----- I totally agree with you!

"Our" style of cars were WELL represented and they did just fine!

EPIC really... Mister Stielow was kicking serious butt!

And this is because of the RTTx type events, and ultimately, Optima.

Many people are building or modifying build plans just to get into this event. That says a lot about how great these events and Optima are.

And that may be a HUUUUGE mistake. You can't bake your cake and eat it too. Getting greedy on the race car side will effect your comfort and cruising experience. I always say, you don't know what you've built until the wheels spin the first time.

Well I for one had an awesome time.The best part for me was meeting a bunch of new folks.Charley L.Jody B.Greg W.Socal Ron.JCG Cris.Jason of War,Tom,Deb,Sam F.Albert's Firebird made the 100 + mile drive to puhrump (in the freezing rain),Thrashed on on it all day Sat. And nothing broke,just a few paint chip's.Thank's too everybody who competed at Optima,And congrat's to Danny Pop for being faster then snot.:thumbsup:

Agreed. Gotta do your best to know what you want in the end and make the appropriate compromises.

But as you've admitted you woulda done many things different with your car knowing what you know now. Even the best intentions and plans sometimes are derailed.

I think I heard Mary beat a certain car with no windows.

I think a big factor for Stielow was how cold it was outside. I saw the red Mustang with the big wing had tire heaters. Popp and Detroit Speed had these solar looking covers over their tires to keep the heat from the warmup laps in. Mark had considered bringing tire warmers but didn't want to rattle any cages by going that far. Guess he should have. There was some serious hardware there with some good drivers. There was also some serious hardware there that looked silly on the autocross because some of them had no clue as to how to set it up. Fun event but was kinda disappointed that only the winner in each class got any awards. If you finished second it was announced. If you finished third I don't even think you got mentioned. In the future it would be nice to give say 1-5 or top 10 some kind of award to take home as a momento. Does not have to be tires or cameras, just something somebody can show off at home. The extreme example is Stielow finishing second overall out of 50plus contestants and walking away with a handshake. A small trophy or something would cost next to nothing and would be something to remember the accomplishment by.

Was a great event and the drive thru the snowy pass was a fun adventure. We stopped at Target on the way and bought knit caps, knit gloves, sweatshirts etc. Kept kinds warm for under 20.00 I especially enjoy the bar at Wullfys for Pizza and Beer.

Yes I also agree if our type of Pro-Touring cars want to be very competitive there need to be two classes. One for older stuff and one for newer stuff. I have a 2011 Porsche Turbo S that would have killed everyone in the speed stop challenge. AWD traction controlled full boost launch is hard to beat.

pics
 

pics and info on our site

Great day at the races
 

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6031/...35e1c9beca.jpg
Optima 2011 by Sunday Slacker Magazine, on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6213/...827f5ff4a4.jpg
Optima 2011 by Sunday Slacker Magazine, on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6058/...4afa98c61f.jpg
Optima 2011 by Sunday Slacker Magazine, on Flickr

Http://www.sundayslacker.com

Nuff said...............

LOL - You are so right!! I witnessed this first hand... and it's just awesome how hard that thing launches!


RE: Classes

We almost need THREE classes.... because there were brand new Camaros - Vettes, CTS V's and Mustangs out there with all the factory stuff PLUS the kitchen sink!

Then you had the "almost a full on race car".... and then you had the cars that, to me, is what the OUSIC started with... which is the STUFF WE BUILD and drive....


Personally -- I'd do away with ANY first place anything -- and let the award be "just being there" and give every participant a plaque or trophy... They all deserve it! Then post up everybody's times for each event and let everyone root for/get satisfaction from whomever they want... then EVERYONE WINS just by being at the event - witnessing some of the coolest cars anywhere....

I have to say - watching the new stuff run -- was every bit as cool as watching any of the other cars... that CTS V just screamed... and it was really fun hearing it and watching it. Then you get to watch that killer "barn find" Chevy and on one corner you'd see fender skirts and dog dish hubcaps -- next turn it was no fender skirts and steelies.... LOL and watching that big ole car coming at me in the StopTech was... OMG! Your eyes said OMG that old clunker is hurling itself straight at me "is it going to stop?" and your brain was saying -- That thing is so kool!!

I like the three class idea Greg.

I like the NO CLASS idea.... Let each car stand for what it is... go out there and beat the bejesus out of 'em... you root for whatever turns you on... because they're all so different and they're all so kool.

You have old - new - pro built - unlimited money built - partly home built - huge power - crate motors - show cars - track cars - pro drivers and first timers. The only thing people don't like - is that "they're guy" didn't WIN. I beg to differ - if you asked the participants - I'd bet not one single person would complain about ANYTHING except that it wasn't a TWO DAY EVENT! HAHAHAHAHA

I guess what I just keep saying is -- EVERY ONE OF THEM IS FUN -- The event is fun. Everyone is a winner... the builders - the drivers - the spectators - the sponsors.... Isn't that the best result?

Well said Greg. This is the first time I have attended such an event and it was a blast. Saw a lot of cool cars and skilled drivers. :thumbsup:

Watch what you say Greg, you might lose your high paying job!
http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/...202011/322.jpg

Great event. Had fun hanging out and watching it go down. Their was a variety of cars to see which was cool. Congrats to all who raced, its not easy and not cheap by any stretch.

My only concern is the sponsors that put their whole life into this community. I'm just worried that when half the cars are not cars from the hobby, they take a hit. When you can buy a stock ZR1 and crush a well sorted out, sponsor parts car, that takes a hit to the community IMO.

I realize this is only one race, just trying to not see the people making a living in this stuff get hurt by having half the cars that qualified not supporting the vendors or community.

I think the crew from optima and all the volunteers did an awesome job. Thanks for putting it on, looking forward to next year.

This was a great event and everyone's point here is valid, to me at least. I do have a few random observations:

- First off, Danny Popp is one hellofa driver and his car is his perfect match. When he put the throttle down, the car planted and it took off. No major squat, no huge time killing burn out, just all go. On the AutoX - especially the last few turns where the most cones and a spin went down - he just rotated the car where it needed to go. On the road course, it took the real race car (a Spring Mountain 1:40 lapper) more than one and half laps to catch him. Just an observation, but I found it ironic seeing him parked at the DSE pit with the rest of their crew + Finch and Stielow. From a driver/car combo he belonged there although I'm not sure there was one DSE part on his car? Enough said on that...

- On the road course, all the usual suspect PT cars hung it all out. The bus stop on turn 9 upset quite a few cars, although Stielow ran it quite well. On turn one I noticed Kyle Tucker wobble (not slide) quite a bit as he pushed his car as fast as that thing would go! It was awesome.

- The LPE 5th Gen Camaro sounded absolutely awesome. Lumpy and full of compression. I'd love to know what was in that engine!

- The smell of race gas was in the air. I loved it and felt like mis-quoting Apocalypse Now.

- It would've been nice to hear lap times for the last few road course competitors. There was no timer board, so it was up to Matt MSA69 to use his iPhone and he did pretty good! But seriously, what's the big secret? The spread was 1:42 - 1:5x for the top drivers.

- Mr Hobaugh and Mr Maier killed it on the AutoX. They started ahead of Mary and Stielow and Popp and I thought there was no way they'd be beat. Just shows how fast Popp and Mary are in that venue.

Back to the classes discussion...I could care less which way they go, but I'm not sure our cars would ever kill modern technology and the vehicle examples given above, which does prove Todd's point about how good Mark really is. Another point made ahead of me is the sponsor issue. Really, is DSE, RideTech, Raybestos, there for the Corvette crowd? Wilwood and Optima have a small piece of that market for sure.

Looking at Optima, it's the All Star event of our hobby (not including the cars that get automatic invites for various reasons). These cars get faster every year and more race-car-like. Listening to Vinnie (great guy BTW!) and Mike Maier put their cars into first gear made me smile. Try driving those cars on the street! Also, this event has the same issues Bill Howell is dealing with as the RTTx events mature. Put a clock on an event with fast cars and people will find a way to win. No matter what. My point here is treadwear and tech inspections were the only constraints when this event was born. What'd y'all think was gonna happen?

DOES THAT FLAG MAKE MY BUTT LOOK BIG???

Great event, Danny Popp deserved the win. :thumbsup: Absolutely the class of the field performance-wise. However, if they don't add some rules to determine "street cars" or split them into different classes, then the only way to win this event is get a late model car with full mods and great driver. Our older cars even with a great driver and whatever power level you want cannot compete with them, that's just a fact of life.

It's up to Optima to determine which way this event goes. No matter what, it's a great event and they deserve a ton of credit for putting it on. What they decide to do will determine what cars are competitive in the future. This is totally their decision, and it's their right to do with it as they wish.

I agree with lots of what's been said, but regardless that popp won its amazing that a fully decked out c6 with a super skilled driver won by a tie break of 2 second on a road course time againts a 69 camaro!

And hellz yes greg that fleetline was so cool! I loved the gator!!

whoa jeez! I make a little comment, step away from the internet for a few days and the flood gates come out! :lol:


You guys do make some interesting points about the competition involved and what the sponsors really want to get out of the event. I have to say that I wasn't there so my following statement can be read as such.

I just worry that through the evolution of this event, we'll find ourselves with a pack of Ultima GTR's and Ariel Atoms running around because that's what it takes to win. Don't get me wrong, they are great cars and takes great skill to drive them well. I just hope that whatever it becomes in the future that its something we all can enjoy.

Through time I just hope it doesn't become a group of purpose built race cars that the usual race teams show up to compete. To me the appeal of the event was that it was something someone like me (read: complete novice) could put together a car, run it hard and maybe get some fun out of it. I'm not saying that it's there yet, I would just hate the event to run it's natural course and become unattainable to the middle of the road or even the higher end of the builds around.

Just my $.02

~Eric

While touring the Optima area at SEMA, my first impression of quite a few of the cars was..."this is a full race car with a license plate...this is no Street car".....

When there is a growing event like this and competition, people will push the envelope...so probably some time for some more rules to get it back in line with the "Optima Ultimate STREET Car" theme......

The bottomline is the event is supposed to be a fun event where people can thrash the cars they build....its not about the actual competition and who wins.....but everyone wants to win :)

Great car, great driver, and really nice guy! I've had the pleasure of walking an autox track with Danny as he explains the line he is gonna run. WOW! The man has a wealth of racing knowledge, and he'll share it with anyone that wants to learn. Congratulations Danny for adding your name to an very exclusive list.

This event was a lot of fun and I was fortunate to be able to participate this year. Danny Popp is an incredible driver in a well sorted 2006 Corvette Z06. That car and his driving skill is what I am trying to have with my Camaro.

A lot of what is being said on this thread has to do with my car and others like it. This event is run by its team that has a vision of what they want. My car went through their approval process and was accepted to compete. During the week of SEMA, I had countless people come to me and say how they would love to have my car or something like it. The idea of having a competitive car on the track that was also capable of driving on the street was just awesome.

I posted many photos of my car and told the story of my build on this forum for a reason. I also named the thread “1973 Autocross / Street Car” for a reason. This thread has over 175,000 hits. I showed just about everything I have done to the car with nothing held back accept for some dimensions of suspension parts. My car was built to be the fastest autocross car I could build AND be able to drive it on the street and enjoy it legally. I also wanted to be able to go to an open track day here and there and be safe. The cage is for handling and safety. Being able to walk away from a serious crash at track speed is more important to me that anything. I worry for many on this forum and others that, WHEN not IF, one of us has a problem and crashes their “Pro-Touring” car, they are not seriously hurt. The idea of driving hard on a race track without a safe cage scares me.

There was a wide range of cars and drivers out there. This event is many things to many people. Any time you put a start and stop with a clock, the most competitive of us will do what it takes to go fast within the rules.

I did not have an unlimited budget, like most. Compromises must be made. Since I wanted my car to be fast and safe, some comfort features were left out. A/C and leather seats are nice, but do not make the car go faster. I drive a Lexus every day for comfort. I do have all the factory lights (headlamps, turn lamps, brake lamps, back up lamps, and dome light). I also have a horn, windshield wipers, FAN AND HEATER. The only thing I don’t have is side windows. When I was building the doors I was going to install electric motored windows but ran out of time and money. It was not important to me as I live in California and the weather is usually pretty nice. You also have to have your windows down on the track.

There have been a handful of cars in the past OUSCI that did not have any interior panels, door glass, heaters, wipers, and others. This year is not new. Also, there have been a few roadsters that have competed that don’t have a roof. At least I have a roof. This year’ award wining incredible 1959 Corvette that was in the Wilwood display does not have door glass or a roof. If that car was invited and accepted, would that be against the rules some of you have proposed? How would that do in the rain? What about last years beautiful and awesome black 1962 Corvette built by the Roadster Shop. No roof.

When the weather turned ugly on Friday, I was happy to see it. For a while, I have heard rumblings about my car and how it is not a “Street Car”. I was one of the 38 of 55 cars that completed the Road Rally. I drove all over Las Vegas getting the necessary items with Mike Maier in his 1966 Mustang. We ended up taking the long way to Pahrump per the recommendation of Jimi Day at the drivers meeting. We drove over 100 miles Friday night in the rain and it got down to 38 degrees. Even with no door windows, I did not get wet and I did not freeze to death. Sure, it was cold and a bit much for my heater to keep me toasty, but I was fine with a jacket.

Had dinner at In n Out Friday night on the Rally

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Met this French couple that just got Married. They thought it was great taking their photo with my car and the best man and aligator?

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I also have a Detroit Locker in the rear end of my car. While performing a U turn, it bangs a lot when it is warm. I compromised some noise for performance and durability. I also have a G Force transmission. No clutch necessary on shifts. It can be a bit loud on shifts, but again, a compromise for performance and durability over comfort.

This event is also to showcase SEMA. My car has over 40 aftermarket manufactures represented.

Greg Weld made some excellent points about this topic. I really appreciate all of his thoughts. I agree with him on the subject of driving skill level also. If you put all the competitors in the same car, the results would not change much. Driving has more to do with this event than anything. Put the top drivers in another car and they will beat the owner of that car just about every time.

The Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational is a great event for all of us. It shows that cars are meant to be driven. After that, interpretation of what cars should be there are all over the map. Enjoy the event and all that comes with it. This is part race and look at what racing around the world has done for all cars. It pushes us to build better parts and cars and I hope it never stops.