Ousci

[GregWeld]

Very well put..... and I think everyone here fully understands the issues. To have great events - you have to have great sponsors.... These events have to cost a small fortune to put on. They MUST be "inclusive".... the car hobby is as diverse as we all are personally. "We" (Pro Touring) are just a small subset of that hobby. "We" just like to root for what draws US to this stuff... The import guys probably don't give two hoots to watch some "old" Camaro run around...

The fact that you are willing to hear (read) what's being "thought" and talked about... and seem open and willing to look at changes (maybe) going forward says one hell of a lot to me. I have no idea what that would look like - there are so many variables!

It would, however, be fun to be able to see a split along "old and new" -- where some recognition is given to those that have basically hand built their cars. Not that the imports and newer cars haven't been, or that they have any less effort put into them..... but there ARE differences which should be recognized.

The first thing I'd ditch is the design points.... let that be a separate trophy -- but not included in the part that we all want to see --- how well the cars and drivers perform. If we wanted looks we'd go to a car show. It's just way too subjective and personal. Times/data speak for themselves and are indisputable.

Originally Posted by USCA 1

Thanks for the feedback and discussion. As always, its a tough balancing act to make the events fun, relevant to the industry, a good investment for sponsors, and compelling for spectators. We do our absolute best to manage all of these into something that works for most. We know it's not going to appeal to everyone, but we truly feel we have elevated this hobby into something that has been beneficial to a lot of participants and businesses.

We also feel that for the $500 entry fee, to get the amount of seat time we provide on some of the best and well known tracks around the country is a great value.

Last year, we added a GTV class to make sure that we kept the vintage cars relevant and had a place for them. This series and event was built on the passion and enthusiasm of pro-touring car owners, and we don't want to see them excluded or come out with nothing to compete for. With that in mind, we are considering restructuring the points for 2016 to better recognize real street cars and this will also serve to help the GTV participants have a fighting chance to score well.

The "real street car" is a difficult thing to define. It used to be licensed for the street. We all know now that it doesn't really take much to get a plate and registration - but please don't lay that at the feet of the import car owners. There are plenty of GTV owners that stretch that definition as well. Race car themed is the definition of pro-touring - where does it end and what's acceptable vs. not acceptable?

The OUSCI and USCA series is completely non-denominational, we like all performance street cars. It's inevitable that some are going to outperform others. We don't dictate what kind of car that each participant decides to run - we just provide the playground for all of them to play together. Remember, right from the beginning, our message has always been about safety, fun, education and then competition. We reward the winners with a 10" trophy and some points. No money, no driving contracts, no move to a competitive series, just a trophy. The competition is driven by the participants, not the series.

We provide lots of seat time for a very reasonable price on some of the best tracks around the country. There are a few that take advantage of the rules, and then we tweak them, then there are a few more that take advantage of those - it's a never ending cycle. Don't be angry at the series or series sponsors; maybe have a chat with those that play in the gray area and let them know your thoughts. We will continue to put out the effort to bring you an affordable and fun series of events that are well organized and relevant to our industry. Thanks again for the feedback.

2015 OUSCI stats:

28 - GTV cars - 33% of the field
27 - GT American made (Corvette, Mustang, Camaro, Dodge) - 32% of the field
55 American made and GTV cars - 65.4% of the field
29 - Import cars (Mitsubishi, Porsche, Lotus, BMW, Subaru, Lamborghini) - 34% of the field

[Sieg]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Not that the imports and newer cars haven't been, or that they have any less effort put into them..... but there ARE differences which should be recognized.

They did beta test a import handicapping system at the Speed Stop Challenge on Saturday.

[bret]

In ANY competitive series...soccer, football, car shows, and car racing...there are challenges and no shortage of opinions on how to resolve them. That is why there are MANY such series...each one has something unique to offer and typically caters to a specific audience of participants and spectators.
Up to this point I think the Optima Series has tried to be focused on the participant. As Jimi pointed out, there is no other series that offers as much seat time AND access to brand name tracks as USCA. They have invested a huge amount of time, money, and effort to create a competitive and fun environment for competitors.
And they have arrived. In 2016 there will be a waiting list for entries for many of these events [its already happened this year].
Now they can [hopefully] concentrate on improving the spectator experience, both in person and remotely [TV, livestream, etc.].

The Indy 500 is arguably the most popular race in the world. It is over 100 years old. In 1904 is was not the most popular race in the world.

I was not able to run nearly as many Optima events in 2015 as I wanted to. Like most other people, I have other obligations that sometimes take precedence. In 2016 I may run even fewer only because of the locations of the events and the timing compared to other commitments.
BUT...I still stand by the USCA format and viability of that format. Danny Popp won that event because he was the best combination of car and driver. Chris Smith in our 48 Hour Corvette was the 33rd best this year. What will it take for us to win that event next year?

I'm not sure I care. Our goals are simple:

1. build a fast car to develop and test our suspension components
2. demonstrate how those components perform
3. enjoy ourselves during this process
3. try not to spend ourselves broke doing the above

For us, no matter the official standings...mission accomplished.

Would I like to win? Sure, everyone wants to be the best. But it is only one path to success...we have many.

I know that Jimi Day and Cam Douglass are watching this thread with great interest. They CRAVE constructive criticism [and certainly have the ability to ignore simple whining]. I would encourage everyone to keep these ideas coming...offering detailed opinions if relevant...to help improve the series.

[Blake Foster]

Originally Posted by bret

I'm not sure I care. Our goals are simple:

1. build a fast car to develop and test our suspension components
2. demonstrate how those components perform
3. enjoy ourselves during this process
3. try not to spend ourselves broke doing the above

For us, no matter the official standings...mission accomplished.

Would I like to win? Sure, everyone wants to be the best. But it is only one path to success...we have many.

MY thoughts EXACTLY Bret. #3 being the MOST important