Danny Popp Wins 2011 Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational

[Steve1968LS2]

Originally Posted by 96z28ss

I saw this at SEMA and was hoping that this would run at OUSCI. Not every day you see a 3rd gen set up like that.

Damn, I would like to get that guy's contact info.. would run that in the magazine for sure.. nice!

[Steve Chryssos]

Absolutely positively the hottest car there--and one of my most favoritest Camaros of all time. A lot.

[Steve1968LS2]

Originally Posted by streetfytr68

Absolutely positively the hottest car there--and one of my most favoritest Camaros of all time. A lot.

Didn't I see you having sex with that car when you thought nobody was lookin? lol

[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.

[Steve1968LS2]

Originally Posted by Vegas69

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.

No.. not you.. or anyone in particular.. And I didn't mean "knocking" as in "the car is bad".. more like "It's not a streetcar because x"

The short answer is that it fit the definition of a streetcar as defined in the OUSCI rules.. if the rules change then I guess the car would have to change. Just like driver rules have changed over the years.

[Vegas69]

Originally Posted by Steve1968LS2

No.. not you.. or anyone in particular.. And I didn't mean "knocking" as in "the car is bad".. more like "It's not a streetcar because x"

The short answer is that it fit the definition of a streetcar as defined in the OUSCI rules.. if the rules change then I guess the car would have to change. Just like driver rules have changed over the years.

I agree....

[96z28ss]

Originally Posted by Steve1968LS2

What makes a car a "street car" is the ability to drive it on the street over long distances on a regular basis. This means it idles, doesn't overheat, takes pump gas, has the basic safety equipment (brake lights, turn signals, horn, etc).

To me a car with a straight gear race transmissing is less of a street car than one without a heater.. my that's just me. How streetable is a three-inch race clutch?

Each year Optima refines thier rules and each year the races will read the rules and see what "they can get away with".. it's how all racing works.

Well see everyone has a different opinion on what they would consider a street car, even by what you consider streetable some would not of been able to compete.
I heard some cars tranny clanking and I know I smelt my fair share of race fuel at the event.
I've voluteered, I've been a spectator and to me this event is really getting better and better every year.
One thing we can all look forward to is next years event and what cars will be racing to take the title.

[Motormouth]

Originally Posted by DBasher

What a bad ass event! I came down with 3 of my friends, 2 I've known since grade school. We rounded up enough money and support to make it happen, even borrowed a truck and enclosed trailer! None of us had ever been to this kind of deal before. The car has been down the 1/4 a few times and gets driven everywhere.
Half way through Saturday we had fixed a few issues with the car and helped the Daytona stay on track. By the end of the night, we had learned a bunch, met a lot of really great people and even got invited to do a photo shoot. I also learned who Danny Popp was, his and Marks name were constantly circling the crowds.

It's hard to set rules and define a class. The two groups, A and B, seemed to separate the fast and the really fast cars. Streetable? Any car can be streetable. I've got a buddy who races a street roadster at Bonneville. This year he ran 219mph backwards through the 4 mile, two weeks later he was at a cruise night.

All I can hope for in future events is that it's not just high end cars. I'm not talkin beaters, but well built non race cars...hard to define I guess... Make it so the Pipefitter with two kids and a F'ed up mortgage can come and have fun, just sayin.

Dan

What a great weekend, one of the coolest events we've ever been a part of! We had a blast! Hope we can make it down next year, brotha!

[Steve Chryssos]

Originally Posted by Steve1968LS2

Didn't I see you having sex with that car when you thought nobody was lookin? lol

Wasn't me..

[GrabberGT]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Why is it that only the people that DID NOT have anything to do with it - have such strong opinions about what the event is or isn't. You don't hear any whining from the participants do ya?? I'd be willing to bet THEY had the time of their lives!

I cant say its a strong opinion because I still read, view, and follow the event as much as anyone can without being there. But...

I have an opinion because I own and or am shopping for many of the parts offered by vendors supporting this event.

I have an opinion because Im a fan and like to root for the home team. (Go Pro Touring!)

I have an opinion because I am the target audience and not those invited. The sponsors did not rent out the track just to throw a thank you party for everyone using their products.

Oh and they asked for it.

For the record, I followed Brians build every time he posted an update and even on days he didnt. Its an incredible machine and I think its cool as expletive for being driven on the street and hope some day I'll get to see it run in person. But it just doesnt fit into my definition of a Pro Touring car. Its a street driven purpose built autocross car. Being that this was the Optima Street Car Challenge, it fits for the sponsor. This after all is not Chris' Pro Touring Challenge. I think we are all just looking for a way to level the playing field for what most of us are building and believe to be a Pro Touring car.