Ousci

[Chad-1stGen]

Originally Posted by So Cal Camaro

The sponsors like Detroit Speed offer suspension parts for 5th gens, in addition to Vintage cars, K&N/Spectre offer parts for all year cars, Falken doesn't care if the car is new or old using their tires. Same for Lingenfelter, Holley & Wilwood brakes, they all sell parts for all year cars. The sponsors have adapted to the new world, so while you all like to complain about c5 Corvettes, Evo's or 5th gen Camaro's running in the event, if we didn't run, there would likely be no events as the Vintage guys are not coming out in force to the USCA qualifier events.

There were only 128 GTV cars registered all year at the 9 USCA events, and about 30 of those participated in more than one event to try and qualify for the OUSCI event. If the vintage cars want to be represented in greater numbers all they have to do is sign up and accumulate enough points to make the big show, like the EVO guys from RS Motors did.

They limit the number of entries, so fill the field at each event with as many vintage cars as you all can. USCA and Optima put on great events that provide all of us with a playground to drive the piss out of our cars and get some great seat time, which I do with a lot of friends at events. Do I ever expect to win the event? No, Do I have any less fun seeing where I stack up? No and I finished 57th overall...I am happily looking forward to the 2016 season!

Originally Posted by GregWeld

That is EXACTLY what needed to be said.... Sign up & Participate. The series started with "us" -- "us" didn't show up to play.

I can't agree with this sentiment more. I think the variety of cars at USCA events is great and just hope us vintage protouring guys can continue to show up in reasonable numbers. I already was a huge fan of the class system introduced (GTV, GT, GTL, etc.) and maybe some version of that can make it to the OUSCI too. Maybe there continues to be the "ultimate street car" crowned with some other recognition for class winners?

Regarding the number of GTV guys... The population of protouring cars in general is already a fairly small segment of the overall car hobby. Look at Goodguys events. These events are targeted towards older/vintage cars and draws thousands and thousands of cars to each show and when you walk around how many of them are trully build with a focus on protouring/handling beyond some big wheels and bling?. I'd say well under 10%. Of that group less than 100 actually participate in the autocross portion.

Then look at open track days. In SoCal I see people of all walks of life from 18 year olds with beater civics to older wealthy dudes with bad ass race cars at these events. What I don't see are other vintage muscle cars unless I attend a USCA event or shelby club event. out of 80-90 cars that typically attend an open track day in SoCal I'm 99% of the time the only one.

If series like USCA are to continue to grow I think they have to appeal to a pretty broad group of participants.

All I know is that I can't wait to attend some USCA events in 2016! And for any of my fellow GTV type car owners on the fence about coming because you think you won't be competitive.... just come out and try it! There is a reason that when Jimi goes over goals of each event that competition is way down at 4th. I tell people all the time that I can always go home happy with a smile on my face when I attend any event as long as I improve throughout the day. My #1 "competition" is myself and I love it when my last lap in autocross or session on the road course yields my fastest time regardless of where my overall rank is.