Does anyone have friends that are stuck in a build era?

[rogue]

I believe 95% of the pro-touring community is stuck in the street rod era. Bolting on every possible high end billet or chrome fancy performance part, every modern drivetrain option, every high end seating option, suspension subframes. Yet the cars just sit, and rarely get driven except to 'goodguys' events and autox events at car shows. The concept of pro-touring goes against car shows IMO.

I saw the same behavior in street rodders that I do in the pro-touring community. Lots of upgrade addiction and constantly evolving cars constantly in a state of evolving/changes, rather than the owners actually enjoying DRIVING THEM.

Sinking 150k into a camaro to drive to a cruise night or drive in a 35mph autocross at a car show? Doesn't make sense to me. I think for some people, its all about wrenching and tinkering, I can understand that. But not enjoying the fruits of your labor is an absolute sin. I've given up on inviting anyone on these forums to track events because no one shows. Seems like everyone thinks you have to have every go-fast product on the market just to keep up with the jones's. I'm all for supporting the aftermarket community and buying parts, but whats the point of buying a set of coilovers or sway bars when you've never even pushed your car to the limit to know that it NEEDS those coilovers.

Makes no sense to me. Lots of cars in a constant state of upgrading around here. For what purpose? Seems like an awful lot of SEMA cars which are show cars.

Racing? Only know a few people that hit the track here.

Autox? A properly driven miata with minor mods or an S2000 will destroy the entire pack of high dollar pro-touring cars at a good guys event.

I see a lot of guys sinking so much money and details into their cars to the point where they're too scared to push the limits of their car on a track for fear of balling it up. 20k paint jobs on a car thats supposedly built to be reliable and a touring car that can be driven from CA to NYC? Thats just silly.

I wish more cars were built to be driven. More streetfighters, more restomod cars. Less of these six digit show touring cars. I'm willing to bet those that are guilty of having high dollar builds had street rods in the past.

/rant.

[rogue]

Originally Posted by ironworks

Different Strokes for different folks

Some guys like Fat Girls.... Need I say more.

[GregWeld]

Dane --

Take two aspirin - go back to bed - your fever has made you delirious...

Do you sell any of the drugs you're taking?

[rogue]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Dane --

Take two aspirin - go back to bed - your fever has made you delirious...

Do you sell any of the drugs you're taking?

Didn't mean to offend anyone, just stating what I see. Lots of expensive parts and innovation (which is good), lots of luxury builds, and minimal driving, road trips, track days. More and more $20k paint jobs.

I thought pro-touring was all about

There is a phenomena every year called the hot rod power tour. People from all over america get together and drive their cars across the country.

Thats a rarity in this community, most cars are trailer to events/car shows.

When that group of guys got together with the idea of driving to SEMA they got a lot of respect. Wanna know why? Its rare that so called 'pro-touring cars' are driven for what they were built for.

Don't get me wrong we're all on the same page, but I don't see any pro-touring cars at events. I've invited lateral-g every time I go out, never once has anyone shown up.

I've given up on inviting you guys. I'd love nothing more than to have a lateral-g or pro-touring group of guys out there regularly showing what we're made of and all about. Everyones just so damn reluctant.

[DFRESH]

Dane, are you coming out for the RTTH event? There's only 3 spots left I believe. I'll be joining you for some track events this year---I usually need a bit more notice than a week or two--just how it is with kids and all. This will be my first "official" run with the car, but hopefully many more to come following this one. You can bet Todd will also be seen at more West Coast events as well. Hope to see you on the 3rd, and hope you are doing well.

Doug

[GregWeld]

Dane --

You (nor anyone else - well - maybe Todd could) offend me... we're all a great community - and I view all this stuff as if though we were all sitting around the garage and chatting... and if you said that while we were sitting around - that's the very response I'd have said right to you... I was laughing while typing it.

I kinda sorta agree with you -- in many cases the cars are way overbuilt and under utilized... it's the very reason that my poor old Nomad body is just about falling off it's fancy frame -- I like DRIVING IT... and I'm a "greaser" not a "waxer"... but I also like stuff to look nice... and have nice leather interior - and big azz stereo - and billet in my motor space...

There's actually more guys driving their cars on LAT G and PT.com than there are "show cars" -- I think we're a group of people that actually use what we build. Kind of "tweeners" -- show cars that can actually drive... Charley hammers his stuff - Mark S does - Kalis does - I do - Todd does - Scott G does - Jody does - Scott M hammers his stuff - DFresh is sideways most of the time when he's wheelin'.... There really is a LOT of guys here driving their stuff.

When you throw in family and work - and life - etc - WEATHER - I think we'd all like to drive MORE -- but all those other things get in the way. BTW -- I drive my HOT ROD every day that it isn't raining (my 37 Ford)... but I always trailer anything that is a distance. The reason for that is to have all the other STUFF there when I arrive.. EZ Ups - chairs - tools - wax - tools - coffee pot - tools - a garage for when the weather gets poopie... 4 years in a row - my car drove home from Hot August Nights - while someone else's broken downer was in the trailer... so it's become real "handy" to have.

[rogue]

Originally Posted by DFRESH

Dane, are you coming out for the RTTH event? There's only 3 spots left I believe. I'll be joining you for some track events this year---I usually need a bit more notice than a week or two--just how it is with kids and all. This will be my first "official" run with the car, but hopefully many more to come following this one. You can bet Todd will also be seen at more West Coast events as well. Hope to see you on the 3rd, and hope you are doing well.

Doug

The site appears to be down. I just tried to register and sent Bill an e-mail.

[XcYZ]

Sure thing, Rogue. How many miles a year do you put on your Camaro?

[tones2SS]

I don't have a pro-tour car,...yet!!!
But, would like to auto-x it at least a couple of times to see how great she handles. If I spent all that money on kick ass parts, I would to be able to show that she can "duck and move".

[XLexusTech]

Thank God for those folks!

without them i would be stuck with the sidepipes and 15" certerlines that came on my car when I bought it.