Quote:
Originally Posted by Chad-1stGen
This thread had me thinking about the USCI and how the GTV cars stacked up against each other. So I parsed the results just for fun. As I've already said fun and seat time are more imporatant to me than all out competition. There are 32 (out of 84 total) pre 1990 cars listed on the USCI results page. Of those 17 managed to score points.
Excluding the road ralley and design & engineering here is how those 17 cars stack up against eachother. Note I didn't separate the GTL cars from the pre 1990 cars so this includes both.
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Chad, I actually worked on the same chart just to see where I could have possibly stacked up if it was scored as a GTV class. Unfortunately I did not score any points at the OUSCI. I gave my car hell and feel I drove it hard and stretched some of my own limits did better than some of the newer and nicer vehicle. But more importantly, in my own self evaluation I did better than I thought I would given the field and with a few more runs I would have done even better.
I compete in the USCA events because it is well organized, provides lots of seat time (if the event is not too crowded) has instructors to take advantage of and has some great like minded people to hang around with, learn from and have some friendly competition with. Vendor support is usually present and welcomed. It also lets me drive my car in a venue with other like cars to give me a bench mark of my cars abilities as well as my own. With the information I gathered over the course of competing in these events over the last year, I made some changes to the car and gathered much needed driving and set up experience. Granted, I am never going to rise to the driving level of Danny, Brian, Mary or Jake but if I can get close I am mostly satisfied and know I am going in the right direction.
Being lucky enough to have been invited to this years OUSCI I felt humbled by the field of drivers, the level and variety of cars, the SEMA experience, vendor support, and the event itself. Logistically it was difficult to arrange for time off, last minute hotel, costs and vehicle prep but it may be a once in a lifetime experience. A bucket list item and something I am very grateful and fortunate to have been a part of but it took a lot of work.
I knew before I started this build that trying to make a near 50 year old car out handle a newer prepared all wheel drive car, C5/6/7 or Porsche or other exotic was never going to happen. I chose to build my car because it provided a challenge and I love old iron. It would be easier and cheaper to have started with something newer and better like a C5/6 but then I wouldn't' be part of this group or even in this discussion. I just wanted to go out there and have fun and fun was had!
That being said the OUSCI had a different feel to it that a normal event. There was an East Coast/West Coast type feel to it and did not have the sense of community like I have seen in the past. Maybe it was just me or the fact that we were spread out across a large area I don't know. I normally keep to myself but I did reach out to several others that I only knew through facebook posts. I think I managed to get more noticed when I went out and hammered on the car and had some great conversations with some other drivers. Not sure if the car got any coverage as the camera crews seemed focused on all the usual suspects.
Jimi and his staff as well as the Optima staff do tons to get these events together and definitely hear and read what we are saying about the series. If the series is to survive it has to draw the participants regardless of class. If you like vintage and can live with never being the Ultimate Car then run it. if you really have to win and have the talent to win jump into another class.
There is always room for improvement, for instance as a participant i have a front row seat to the action, not so great for a spectator, family member or fan. You would have needed a good camera to get a good shot and you didn't get to feel the thunder of an engine at full tilt coming through the straights. There was a really good crowd at the event and hopefully they will continue to come in the future. As for the classes, I love GTV but I also would like to see some recognition in that area. The Ultimate winner should remain that winner regardless of class but maybe something can be done to level the field. The D&E really made a difference in where I placed as well as others. I have to figure out where I get dinged and make some changes.
All that said, I am a home builder. My car is cobbled from cast off used parts, Ebay, Craigs, sites like this on or wherever I can find them. I have busted knuckles, bled, sweat, countless hours of time invested as well as money. I feel I have built a good car. It's opened up so many new doors for me. It's even surprised a few people. Can it be better? Of course, and I will continue to work on it as well as myself and participate in this series as long as it remains reasonably affordable and fun. I look forward to next year and maybe another invite. In the meantime there is more work to do.
For those that haven't done one of these at least try it. Get your cars together, make them as safe as possible and worry about where you may stack up later and run within your ability. This is the only series that i know of that lets you run on iconic tracks and really push your cars and yourselves. Build them, drive them, fix them, repeat!
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
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