Danny Popp Wins 2011 Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational

[Vegas69]

Originally Posted by DOOM

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

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.

[Flash68]

Originally Posted by MarkM66

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

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 ) 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"!

[96z28ss]

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.

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by 96z28ss

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.

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...

[coolwelder62]

Originally Posted by 96z28ss

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.

I am glad they didnt have these rules in place this year.As Albert was pulling out of my Drive way Fri night before sema I was trying get him to stay 3 hours longer so I could plug in the switches for the heat defroster,and put on the wiper blades.But he wouldnt slow down said he had to go.Just ran out of time.The car will get everything finished when he heads this way on his way home.

[Steve1968LS2]

Originally Posted by 96z28ss

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.

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)

Originally Posted by 96z28ss

Not sure what state you live in, but there were cars at the event without wipers. You need that to pass DEQ to be street legal also need working turn signals, and horn etc....

No inspection in Cali..

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by Steve1968LS2

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

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




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! Beside that - they hold my sunglasses!

[Steve1968LS2]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

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

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! Beside that - they hold my sunglasses!

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

Originally Posted by Vegas69

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

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.

[Vegas69]

Originally Posted by Steve1968LS2

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.

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.

[96z28ss]

Originally Posted by Steve1968LS2

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..

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.