Danny Popp Wins 2011 Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational

[Vegas69]

Every man is capable of controlling his own destiny to some extent. This is a very fragile line to walk. Is it safe to road race a 631 hp ZR1 corvette? I'd have to say NO. Is it safe to drink a 6 pack every Friday night? Is it safe to screw hot chicks without a rubber? We all feast on danger to some extent. This is a street car event. Your local DMV is willing to pass you and issue you a set of plates. It's a street car. Your chances of killing yourself on the open road are as great or greater than on the race track.(At least in a muscle car) I don't think safety should be shun on at all. I'm all for it. My point, let a man make his own decisions. As long as the insurance policy will pay out and protect WHEN somebody gets hurt, so be it.

But it's the goverments job, my job, your job to protect Joe from killing himself. Bull Puckey He's a man, he can make his own damn decisions.

[Jtomas801]

Originally Posted by 73CPCAMARO

Safetey is a huge concern for me on a road course. That is why I put a cage in my car.

From the quote above

I would say that I am on the ultra-conservative side of things when it comes to street car vs. race car. Here is what constitutes a street car for me:

4 point roll bar maximum for hardtops GT-350 style or a head hoop on a space frame roadster or Cobra style car. Cars equipped in this manner won LeMans overall and class championships in the decade or decade preceding the era most of our cars were manufactured in, I think that spirit is important.

Safety: If you have a good seat, a 5 point harness and a 4 point bar on a road course, you'll be fine and probably the only thing to get hurt will be your pride and maybe checkbook from the car and Armco repairs. Safety shouldn't be taken for granted, but at this level you'll be okay in a well prepared car. Most tracks now also have so much runoff built in or retrofitted 'the wall' is becoming less of a concern at some places. .


I am a bit puzzled with this. Advancement in safety is always improving and why would we want to use 40+ year old technology and logic? Let's go back even further when they used a leather helmet.
Thunderhill in Nor Cal. is known for being a very safe track. But, it is about impossible to be 100% safe. Check out the video below. Yes, this was during a race, but this could have just as easily happened on a solo run like at so many of the Pro-Touring events we run. I don't know about you, but if this was me, I would be glad I have more than a 4 point cage. He just lost his brakes and you will see what happens.

Here is a link to more information about the car that crashed, failed dot spec flex line, plus photos of the damage in post #906.

http://www.corner-carvers.com/forums...e+line&page=23

I'm sure he would have had some serious damage to his feet/legs if it wasn't for all the foot box protection.


Jon

[drd9838]

It would seem Mary Macaroni (Pozzi) had a valid point about the difference between a street car that can run on the track safely and a track car that can run on the street. Everyone will have a different opinion and I believe it is wise to have a open discussion about street car versus track car.

It is the nature of a racer to push the limits not only in driving but in preparation of the car.

Are these items considered to be be "street" items:
( I understand everyone would draw the line in a different place.

Locker Rear End I say only on a jeep front axle where it can be disengaged.

Jerico Racing Transmission The name says it all.

Solid Hub clutch discs (No damper springs) Not intended for street use

Lexan Windows only if this was an option on the car to begin with.

Fiberglass Bumpers Not on a street car.

Fuel Cell open trunk to fill it. I do not think this is a good street car build.

RACE GAS, I would say No must be 100% pump gas. NOT a special unleaded race gas, not even a mix.

No vin number No race, (yes their was one)

No Side windows, if the car came that way. Otherwise must go up and down.

Wings, not a good idea on the street.

Oil Preheating to start race engine (1/2 hour) Only if it is 20 below zero.

Back seat removed and exhaust, muffler and battery back there. Not a good idea for a street car.

It is my belief that if we do not put down some common sense street car/ show car guidelines to avoid the influx of track car's made to look like a street car. It has nothing to do with the caliber of the driver is has everything to do with being realistic as to street car guidelines. Otherwise rename this to the ultimate track car that can be driven on the street!

[Track Junky]

My $.02

I had my car for 5 years before I transformed it into a dedicated track car. Can I still drive it on the street? Yup!! Registered and insured. Do I care to drive it on the street. Hell No!!

The track is the funnest place to drive my car and I dont like screwing around on the street because its not safe and disrespectfull to the public around you.

Some people here need to wake up and smell the coffee. Most all the builds you see on this site today are track/autocross motivated. There is a trend and we have shifted gears. We are now at a point where we are building race cars, running them, and loving it!!

Rename the event? Thats their call and I could care less. But the reality is that we have some talented builders and drivers on this site and have turned this hobby into a sport. I believe it's called evolution and it wont stop.

There will be a day when we have set safety requirements and more stringent rules due to safety and the race cars will continue to be built and the fan base will continue to grow larger.

[GregWeld]

See, IMHO people are missing something here and all of that above "race car/street car" stuff is all a good discussion and everyone has an opinion....IF it was open to anyone that wants to run. BUT IT'S NOT.

What people are forgetting is that the cars in this event are INVITED.... by the good folks that put it on.

We're having a discussion here that IMPLIES that anyone that wants to build something can come and play and run. THAT IS JUST NOT SO.... it's a "golden ticket" car - or an INVITEE. So the whole notion of "it's going to turn into such and such and event" is moot. It WILL turn into whatever the good folks that put it on want it to be.

[Track Junky]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

What people are forgetting is that the cars in this event are INVITED.... by the good folks that put it on.

We're having a discussion here that IMPLIES that anyone that wants to build something can come and play and run. THAT IS JUST NOT SO.... it's a "golden ticket" car - or an INVITEE. So the whole notion of "it's going to turn into such and such and event" is mute. It WILL turn into whatever the good folks that put it on want it to be.

Not sure who implied it wasn't invitation........ and the good folks that are sending these invites are inviting race cars. Wether they decide to acknowledge this or not is up to them and I could care less either way.

My point here is that we are evolving from PT'ing to racing. Why? Because its way more fun!!

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by Track Junky

Not sure who implied it wasn't invitation........ and the good folks that are sending these invites are inviting race cars. Wether they decide to acknowledge this or not is up to them and I could care less either way.

My point here is that we are evolving from PT'ing to racing. Why? Because its way more fun!!

The thread turned from a discussion about the event into a discourse about what peoples opinions are of what constitutes a race car vs a street car.

My point was/is that none of that really matters for the purposes of an all invite only event.

[Track Junky]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

The thread turned from a discussion about the event into a discourse about what peoples opinions are of what constitutes a race car vs a street car.

My point was/is that none of that really matters for the purposes of an all invite only event.

Point taken...

[GregWeld]

Just so you know Gae -- I agree with your description of the direction PT has taken and the very good reason you proffered. It's fun.

[Track Junky]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Just so you know Gae -- I agree with your description of the direction PT has taken and the very good reason you proffered. It's fun.

Thanks Greg, I appreciate the acknowledgement.......and I'm sure you know what I'm talking about........why else would you buy a certain little race pony