Danny Popp Wins 2011 Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational

[96z28ss]

yeah in the event of a tie they should get into 2 rentals like in the movie "Days of Thunder" just let them duke it out till the finish line.

[camcojb]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Well..... that might be a great way to declare the winner in a tie!! Wouldn't that be a hoot to watch!


Watch a video of Mark Stigelow (LOL).... and watch how quiet his hands are... how relaxed his driving is. Compare that video to Mike Maiers video on the road course - it's posted up around here somewhere - and watch how busy he is.... and remember a driving rule.... "every time you turn the wheel you're going slower".....


That statement is in no way meant to say Mike needs driving instructions!! Please don't read that into this comparison.... I'm using it because there are good videos of both guys around here that can be easily viewed. I use this because viewing the two - you'd SWEAR that Mikes car is probably way faster... it LOOKS fast. And it's great driving - or as I'd call it as a skier a fine bunch of linked recoveries!

While we know about car set up etc - and we could argue these points all day -- I'll repeat -- I'm only using this as an EXAMPLE for comparison sake... not a statement of who's better or the cars are this or that....

Originally Posted by 96z28ss

yeah in the event of a tie they should get into 2 rentals like in the movie "Days of Thunder" just let them duke it out till the finish line.

I really like this idea. Takes the individual cars out of the equation and puts it on the drivers.

[Track Junky]

The one great thing that I really like about the Optima challenge is that it is connected to SEMA and that they do call it a "street car invitational".

This element keeps our builders creative juices flowing and the only boundary is that it has to be a street car. I think this way we will continue to see some really creative interiors being built along with some really cool looking race inspired cars.

Todd mentioned that he would rather have a race car but I disagree with his statement only because I have seen his car and his lap times. His car is one of the prime examples tailored to these events.

Brian's car is another good example. Creative and race inspired. He knows the rules of the event and I can gaurantee we will see working windows in that car just because he has that competitive edge to him and enjoys these events.

I dont want anybody to take what I said in the wrong context. Yes, we are building race cars, but street legal ones with style.

[70rs]

Does any of this really matter? The bottom line is it's a great event that allows many of the top builders and drivers hang it all out. FOR FUN.

Add too many rules and the FUN goes out the lexan window.

I hope I get to go WATCH one day. I know me or my car will never be in it.

If you want to watch a ” too many rules” race, flip on the speed channel.
If you want to watch a wide variety of performance built cars get beat on and have FUN go to Optima.

Just my .02.

[ivmotor]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Well..... that might be a great way to declare the winner in a tie!! Wouldn't that be a hoot to watch!


Watch a video of Mark Stigelow (LOL).... and watch how quiet his hands are... how relaxed his driving is. Compare that video to Mike Maiers video on the road course - it's posted up around here somewhere - and watch how busy he is.... and remember a driving rule.... "every time you turn the wheel you're going slower".....


That statement is in no way meant to say Mike needs driving instructions!! Please don't read that into this comparison.... I'm using it because there are good videos of both guys around here that can be easily viewed. I use this because viewing the two - you'd SWEAR that Mikes car is probably way faster... it LOOKS fast. And it's great driving - or as I'd call it as a skier a fine bunch of linked recoveries!

While we know about car set up etc - and we could argue these points all day -- I'll repeat -- I'm only using this as an EXAMPLE for comparison sake... not a statement of who's better or the cars are this or that....

Then I should have won the whole thing...my hands fell asleep several times.

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by ivmotor

Then I should have won the whole thing...my hands fell asleep several times.

Yeah.... that will happen to ya when you're driving white knuckled!


Kidding of course -- your Volvo is so kool!

[Vegas69]

Originally Posted by Track Junky

Todd mentioned that he would rather have a race car but I disagree with his statement only because I have seen his car and his lap times. His car is one of the prime examples tailored to these events.

.

How much faster and confident would I be with a full cage and missing 400 lbs? I'm ready but I really like my car and don't want to start over at this point. I enjoy using it more than working on it. I'm just stating the fact that I will build a race car next time around. Something similar to Brians.

[Track Junky]

Originally Posted by Vegas69

How much faster and confident would I be with a full cage and missing 400 lbs? I'm ready but I really like my car and don't want to start over at this point. I enjoy using it more than working on it. I'm just stating the fact that I will build a race car next time around. Something similar to Brians.

I'd say at this point you are in the same league as a certain red car. Close to the same weight minus the hp.

If you had the hp and a little more wheel time.............

[Stuart Adams]

You guys keep building them faster and faster, because I enjoy watching the competition. I like the event, and it's nice it ties in with SEMA.

[Vegas69]

Originally Posted by Track Junky

I'd say at this point you are in the same league as a certain red car. Close to the same weight minus the hp.

If you had the hp and a little more wheel time.............

Not even close my friend.