What would a USCA pro-touring class look like??

[PTAddict]

The tire size thing is a non-starter, IMO.

I've used my traqmate to log data in my car, vs. a track prepped C5 vette, both on Hoosier tires. Mine were 335 rear vs. 315 for the Vette, but otherwise identical. The Vette consistently generated an additional .1g or more lateral acceleration, even though the overall balance of my car was arguably more neutral. There could be multiple factors behind that, but you have to start with 500 lb weight advantage, lower CG, and wider track/wheelbase ratio.

Driver can't fix that.

Agree with Jody that I'm not complaining about the new cars - love to see them and try to compete with them. It's just a question of whether we want PT cars to become a permanent underclass in events like these ...

[camcojb]

Originally Posted by SSLance

I agree completely. They want us to come and participate in their events and we want a place to run and feel like we are at least on the same playing field as others. There has to be a way to make it all work and I'm certain the powers that be are crunching numbers to make it work.

There is no reason that the factory late model cars, stockish appearing muscle (PT) cars, and the outlaw over the top race cars on street tires can't all attend the same types of events and share time running together. We are all there for the same common goal. The ruleset just needs a bit of fine tuning to level the fields a bit.

Yep. "thumbsup: Jimi is committed to this event, and I know he'll continue to improve it. We're getting some ideas here for possible changes to equalize things, or possibly a separate class. I'll make sure he gets our ideas at least for additional input on whatever they decide to do in the future.

It was a GREAT time and I really liked the venue change. Spring Mountain is a beautiful facility, but this has a lot more room and better for spectators in my opinion. I think it went very smooth for the first time with such a big change in venue and doubling of participants. USCA did a great job on this one.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Im all for open track day fun. Times, sure, bragging rights ok. But going out and pushing your abilities as far as driving and construction. Competition on a personal level.

Once competition gets heated it then becomes the guy who can spend the most, recieve the most training and who can do the most delelopment who will blow everyone out.

Once you start instituting rules to make it fair then it becomes who can bend the rules the most without going over and breaking them.

[SSLance]

That said...Rodney Prouty, Aaron Oberle, Dan Ballard, Dan Howe, Sam and Deb Farrington, Jeff Montgomery, and Jane Thurmond, are just a few of the guys and gals in regular "our type" muscle cars that went to OUSCI this year and from everything I've seen or heard, they had an absolutely fabulous time there. I've seen "Weekend of a lifetime" mentioned several times...

And I suppose that they all ran around mid pack once things were ironed out. All very capable drivers in well sorted out Street Cars... I can't wait for the opportunity to do just the same, regardless of the ruleset.

[57hemicuda]

The older I get the more I love anarchy. No more rules!!! When we started all this my biggest fear was a rule book like so many other forms of racing.

If its not the Feds its local government telling me what I have to do. Don't make my hobby the same way. Run what you brung, if it ain't enough then too bad. Take it home and make it faster.

That being said, I started playing in these forums because of my love of Muscle Cars. I truly have no desire to watch late models and ricers race. I can see that any track day on any road course in the United States. What made Lat G and Pro Touring so cool was seeing some of the coolest, nicest Muscle Cars in the country get the crap kicked out of them. Don't know what the answer is but its not more rules. Just my 2 cents.

[dontlifttoshift]

If there were no pro touring cars back when OUSCI started, would it even exist as we know it today?

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Originally Posted by dontlifttoshift

If there were no pro touring cars back when OUSCI started, would it even exist as we know it today?

No doubt, I think the old cars bring the crowds. Just look at the One lap events.

[ArisESQ]

Not really sure I understand the purpose of having classes in a competition to find the "Ultimate Street Car."

If it's a competition to find the best street driven car, then the only restriction should be that the car is registered and passes all registration requirements.

I realize not having classes makes it a lot harder for a classic muscle car to be competitive against some of the newer contenders, or for people not wiling to chop up their fenders to fit wider tires... but why does that matter at all.

[ArisESQ]

Originally Posted by 57hemicuda

The older I get the more I love anarchy. No more rules!!! When we started all this my biggest fear was a rule book like so many other forms of racing.

If its not the Feds its local government telling me what I have to do. Don't make my hobby the same way. Run what you brung, if it ain't enough then too bad. Take it home and make it faster.

That being said, I started playing in these forums because of my love of Muscle Cars. I truly have no desire to watch late models and ricers race. I can see that any track day on any road course in the United States. What made Lat G and Pro Touring so cool was seeing some of the coolest, nicest Muscle Cars in the country get the crap kicked out of them. Don't know what the answer is but its not more rules. Just my 2 cents.

Agree!

[GrabberGT]

I agree that we will lose interest in it pretty quick when the newer cars start to dominate the scene. I think a Pro-touring class at the very least would be a great start. Define PT as Pre-80's with carryover body styles. Make the "street manners" section of the judging more meaningful to balance out against the streetable race cars. Move the cruise to the end of the event to get drivers to race more conservatively since they still have to complete the cruise in order to get those points. If you break your car or render it unstreetable during one of the racing events, you'll lose valuable cruise points. In my opinion, PT cars are not race cars. They are street cars with racing capabilities. You still have to be able to drive them after racing them. If any portion of the event cannot be completed, no points will be awarded for the event.