Ousci

[Blake Foster]

Originally Posted by USCA 1

Thanks for the feedback and discussion. As always, its a tough balancing act to make the events fun, relevant to the industry, a good investment for sponsors, and compelling for spectators. We do our absolute best to manage all of these into something that works for most. We know it's not going to appeal to everyone, but we truly feel we have elevated this hobby into something that has been beneficial to a lot of participants and businesses.

We also feel that for the $500 entry fee, to get the amount of seat time we provide on some of the best and well known tracks around the country is a great value.

Last year, we added a GTV class to make sure that we kept the vintage cars relevant and had a place for them. This series and event was built on the passion and enthusiasm of pro-touring car owners, and we don't want to see them excluded or come out with nothing to compete for. With that in mind, we are considering restructuring the points for 2016 to better recognize real street cars and this will also serve to help the GTV participants have a fighting chance to score well.

The "real street car" is a difficult thing to define. It used to be licensed for the street. We all know now that it doesn't really take much to get a plate and registration - but please don't lay that at the feet of the import car owners. There are plenty of GTV owners that stretch that definition as well. Race car themed is the definition of pro-touring - where does it end and what's acceptable vs. not acceptable?

The OUSCI and USCA series is completely non-denominational, we like all performance street cars. It's inevitable that some are going to outperform others. We don't dictate what kind of car that each participant decides to run - we just provide the playground for all of them to play together. Remember, right from the beginning, our message has always been about safety, fun, education and then competition. We reward the winners with a 10" trophy and some points. No money, no driving contracts, no move to a competitive series, just a trophy. The competition is driven by the participants, not the series.

We provide lots of seat time for a very reasonable price on some of the best tracks around the country. There are a few that take advantage of the rules, and then we tweak them, then there are a few more that take advantage of those - it's a never ending cycle. Don't be angry at the series or series sponsors; maybe have a chat with those that play in the gray area and let them know your thoughts. We will continue to put out the effort to bring you an affordable and fun series of events that are well organized and relevant to our industry. Thanks again for the feedback.

ALL GREAT points, and I doubt any of the participants are complaining I certainly was NOT. We beat our expectations (top 50) knowing that was realistic, the event was well run for sure, smooth well organized on time to the schedule.
From a spectators POV there were limited spots to watch the road course from and that could be improved.

[USCA 1]

Originally Posted by Blake Foster

From a spectators POV there were limited spots to watch the road course from and that could be improved.

Thanks Blake - agreed, there is limited viewing on the road course, this is an issue that every road course in the country struggles with and is the sole reason that NASCAR oval races rate so much higher than both Formula 1 and Indy Car road course races.

We are already working with LVMS to improve spectator viewing for 2016.

[Blake Foster]

Originally Posted by USCA 1

Thanks Blake - agreed, there is limited viewing on the road course, this is an issue that every road course in the country struggles with and is the sole reason that NASCAR oval races rate so much higher than both Formula 1 and Indy Car road course races.

We are already working with LVMS to improve spectator viewing for 2016.

I HEAR YA!!! Nature of the event.

[Bad94]

Originally Posted by MarkM66

When the same guy wins three years in a row, it's not much of a search anymore,

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Danny Popp wins because he has SERIOUS TALENT..... and that floats to the top. His car is well prepped.... but it's his talent that wins. If a guy goes out and runs 1:40 -- he goes out and lays down a 1:39...


I'm serious about the talent statement.... as I've timed Popp in a V6 Camaro RENTAL CAR on skinny ass little tires laying down 2:19 at Thunderhill with the Crows Nest.... my all out track car has run a best of 2:05 and typically runs 2:10's with traffic on track....

The last 2 years we have done a TON of work on the car all year long to get the car this fast. A lot of people don't know how many hours we have in the car. I don't even want to think about it.

Last year Brandon would have won, but had engine trouble on the road course. This year Danny's Vette was set on kill.

But then again Danny is a GREAT driver

[96z28ss]

I missed the very first OUSCI, but I went to all the other ones, even volunteered couple times.
Last year was the year where I hung out in Greg's trailer more than I did watching. It just doesn't have the Lat-G appeal anymore.
I'd much rather see Mark tearing up the course in his latest first gen Camaro, than Danny tearing it up in a C5. I can watch C5's, Evo's, 5th Gen Camaro's, Mustangs, on any given weekend at the local track day.

Where are all the C5, 5th gen Camaro, Evo, Porsche, Subaru, performance parts sponsors for these events. If that's the direction this event is heading in, then why would some of these sponsors stay, when the cars they cater to are at the bottom of the list.

[BonzoHansen]

Was there so much time in between laps in past years? We thought in the past a competitor could get all their ss or autox laps in faster. Keeping the car and tires warm, getting right back out there. We felt there was a lot more waiting between laps this time. Are we wrong about that?

Id also be curious if drivers had trouble with cold tires, it was a bit chilly.

[rustomatic]

I've been to a couple of the USCA events, both as worker and driver, and have to agree that they are exceptionally well-run, which is purely the result of the passion (a word I genuinely hate) we all have for the hobby (avoiding the term "sport"--we all have mirrors here). Many of us have just as much fun watching and hanging as we do driving (for far fewer dollars, might I add).

Chad made the exceptional point here (of two): We drive in these events (most of us) to have as much legal fun as possible with crazily capable cars. The USCA events give us the course/track time to literally beat our cars to death. Other events that involve autocross, not so much, unless it's a weird day. USCA gives decent value for those really trying to squeeze the most from their contraptions.

On the topic of the Evo (and other modern cars of its ilk), I remember Mike Maier consistently beating them a couple of years ago. They've chosen to up their game a bit more than Mike has this year . . . When I saw full-on tractor-trailers (not talking Greg Weld rolling out the barbecue here) delivering loads of fully-prepped, non-street race cars at Thunderhill earlier this year, I could see very well (or not, since I didn't really care) that something had changed (or didn't). What-evs. I wasn't likely to ever actually compete (like most of us here) . . . but I will also never pay to see a new Camaro or Mustang lap a track.

I just want to see the Dusold Camaro in person--that thing is ridiculously awesome (and only a Camaro by suggestion/sheet metal--look closely). More importantly, I get the sense that a lot of people pass it right by (on foot, not in a driving sense) . . . this inspires my own idiotic and stagnated build.

[GregWeld]

Very well put..... and I think everyone here fully understands the issues. To have great events - you have to have great sponsors.... These events have to cost a small fortune to put on. They MUST be "inclusive".... the car hobby is as diverse as we all are personally. "We" (Pro Touring) are just a small subset of that hobby. "We" just like to root for what draws US to this stuff... The import guys probably don't give two hoots to watch some "old" Camaro run around...

The fact that you are willing to hear (read) what's being "thought" and talked about... and seem open and willing to look at changes (maybe) going forward says one hell of a lot to me. I have no idea what that would look like - there are so many variables!

It would, however, be fun to be able to see a split along "old and new" -- where some recognition is given to those that have basically hand built their cars. Not that the imports and newer cars haven't been, or that they have any less effort put into them..... but there ARE differences which should be recognized.

The first thing I'd ditch is the design points.... let that be a separate trophy -- but not included in the part that we all want to see --- how well the cars and drivers perform. If we wanted looks we'd go to a car show. It's just way too subjective and personal. Times/data speak for themselves and are indisputable.

Originally Posted by USCA 1

Thanks for the feedback and discussion. As always, its a tough balancing act to make the events fun, relevant to the industry, a good investment for sponsors, and compelling for spectators. We do our absolute best to manage all of these into something that works for most. We know it's not going to appeal to everyone, but we truly feel we have elevated this hobby into something that has been beneficial to a lot of participants and businesses.

We also feel that for the $500 entry fee, to get the amount of seat time we provide on some of the best and well known tracks around the country is a great value.

Last year, we added a GTV class to make sure that we kept the vintage cars relevant and had a place for them. This series and event was built on the passion and enthusiasm of pro-touring car owners, and we don't want to see them excluded or come out with nothing to compete for. With that in mind, we are considering restructuring the points for 2016 to better recognize real street cars and this will also serve to help the GTV participants have a fighting chance to score well.

The "real street car" is a difficult thing to define. It used to be licensed for the street. We all know now that it doesn't really take much to get a plate and registration - but please don't lay that at the feet of the import car owners. There are plenty of GTV owners that stretch that definition as well. Race car themed is the definition of pro-touring - where does it end and what's acceptable vs. not acceptable?

The OUSCI and USCA series is completely non-denominational, we like all performance street cars. It's inevitable that some are going to outperform others. We don't dictate what kind of car that each participant decides to run - we just provide the playground for all of them to play together. Remember, right from the beginning, our message has always been about safety, fun, education and then competition. We reward the winners with a 10" trophy and some points. No money, no driving contracts, no move to a competitive series, just a trophy. The competition is driven by the participants, not the series.

We provide lots of seat time for a very reasonable price on some of the best tracks around the country. There are a few that take advantage of the rules, and then we tweak them, then there are a few more that take advantage of those - it's a never ending cycle. Don't be angry at the series or series sponsors; maybe have a chat with those that play in the gray area and let them know your thoughts. We will continue to put out the effort to bring you an affordable and fun series of events that are well organized and relevant to our industry. Thanks again for the feedback.

2015 OUSCI stats:

28 - GTV cars - 33% of the field
27 - GT American made (Corvette, Mustang, Camaro, Dodge) - 32% of the field
55 American made and GTV cars - 65.4% of the field
29 - Import cars (Mitsubishi, Porsche, Lotus, BMW, Subaru, Lamborghini) - 34% of the field

[DBasher]

Originally Posted by rustomatic

I just want to see the Dusold Camaro in person--that thing is ridiculously awesome (and only a Camaro by suggestion/sheet metal--look closely).

YES! From what I've seen online its a wicked lil track star....speaking of, doesn't Ron Sutton offer a tube frame street legal something er other?

I'll be at T-Hill in February to take it all in again...and see if we can better our times from this year. Looking forward to the new Unlimited class (USCA, think about it!)

[clill]

Where is info on the Feb Thunderhill event ?