Why are people throwing a minitub and tires and calling it a pro touring?

[Vegas69]

I'm not sure I agree with things going to the extreme of prostreet. I still feel the main population of the sites wants a very streetable car with pro touring roots. There is always going to be a group that wants to compete and stick out their chest. How many people are really competitive at our events now? Most of the guys just want to show up and have a good time. I like to compete but that's not my purpose.

There is SCCA, NASA, PSCA, NHRA, I hope we keep our street roots until the end. My next build will absolutely be a street car with track capabilites.

[Mkelcy]

Originally Posted by Vegas69

I'm not sure I agree with things going to the extreme of prostreet. I still feel the main population of the sites wants a very streetable car with pro touring roots. There is always going to be a group that wants to compete and stick out their chest. How many people are really competitive at our events now? Most of the guys just want to show up and have a good time. I like to compete but that's not my purpose.

There is SCCA, NASA, PSCA, NHRA, I hope we keep our street roots until the end. My next build will absolutely be a street car with track capabilites.

Me, I'm pro-touring with an emphasis on touring. A little like Penny - '68 with a 21st Century subframe and a LD 3 link out back - then we go on different paths - not terribly lowered; great seats; AC; good tunes; lots of sound and heat insulation; 500 hp on tap, Viper 6 speed, 4.11 rear gears; full wipers and windshield washer - basically a car I can (and will) jump in and drive from SoCal to the coast of Maine (I love lobsters).

Frankly, I don't care what others call it; it'll be what I want it to be.

[Flash68]

Originally Posted by DFRESH

I sure hope that motel next to the train tracks you stayed at last time was nice. Ron is in.

Can I at least have the dark cave that Rich slept in?

Originally Posted by Vegas69

There is always going to be a group that wants to compete and stick out their chest.

Sure, but actually stop and look at most of the top guys in our niche at every event... they DON'T stick out their chests... they are mostly laid back guys and gals and let their cars and driving do the talking.

Originally Posted by Vegas69

My next build will absolutely be a street car with track capabilites.

That's not what you told me 2 weeks ago.

[Flash68]

Originally Posted by Mkelcy

Frankly, I don't care what others call it; it'll be what I want it to be.

[67zo6Camaro]

Originally Posted by DFRESH

I can't believe no one has used the phrase "I know at PT car when I see it" yet.

The evolution of this hobby is likely to see the same trend that happened in Heads Up Drag Racing--I think Blake and Brett touched on it well. Started off with a solid group of guys that gained a great amount of interest over the first couple of years. Competition got stiffer, bigger motors and better suspensions were on deck. Not long after, sponsors started to make their presence known. Then purpose built cars came along--no more 30 mile cruise to somehow validate them as a street car. Different classes--which means you have cars that are outta reach for the normal guy to build and be competitive so they have to put limits on them --cubic inch, power adders, tire sizes, etc. Once you have big name sponsors, the open wheel trailer crowd is the minortiy while toter homes and big rigs with crews become the group that the front part of the pits is reserved for. All that being said, the crowd loves the Pro Street and Outlaw cars--even though they are an easy 150k--and much more to get into. The core group of guys that started out, none of them were able to survive the cost of the evolution and remain competitive.

Not sure how our hobby/sport will follow along this path--but I have to say--if I guage it from the very first Optima event to this most recent one---we are on our way. Not saying it's bad---it is what it is.

I still say build what you like---I, for now, always want to be able to get in my car and drive it--and be able to attend track days and autocrosses. It's still about being with some of the greatest folks around and enjoying our common interests. It's easy to get caught up in all the competitive side, nicest looking, most power, etc--but i am only seeing a handful of people prosper from those things in this hobby/sport. I do, however, want to get a posi and rear disc's--call me a follower if you must. So to the guy that was worried about posting up his build thread, don't cave in because a guy has a different opinion about your suspension or what a PT car is--it will always be in flux--and the majority of people you will interact with at events and get togethers will share your same passion and desire to do more to their cars. Post up your build and join the community---you are bound to meet many great people on here. My wife still jokes with me that Todd, Dave, Rich, Rodger, Greg and lots of others have all been to our house, some of them stay with us when they are in town--and I met them all here on this site. Don't miss out on the good stuff because you have ladder bars---

D

I will drink to that!

[bret]

You know who used to have ladder bars under what is now one of the fastest corner turning cars in the country?
Brian Finch!
I remember his first pass in that [then yellow] Camaro with the supercharged big block at our first Goodguys autocross in Nashville in 2006. He looked like a 15 year old on his first car date.
But he had fun. So much fun that he's worked on that damn car till it is now nearly untouchable.
And he's still having fun.

Have fun. Nobody cares if your car is fast, or even what it looks like. They care if you're a good guy and if you like to have fun.

[kttrucks]

Well said Bret! I dont know what label my Mustang will have, but I know what I want out of the car, and I know it'll be fun to drive and neat to look at. Whatever label it gets is fine by me.

KT

[barrrf]

Originally Posted by Spiffav8

Bart,

Please don't shy away from posting your build thread here on LG just because a few guys have made some negative comments. Those with the brutal comments are wrong. You don't need a cool suspension or kick a$$ LS motor to have a fun car that fits into the pro touring movement. My first car was a 67 Camaro that rode on leaf springs and rebuilt sb350 with a carb. I LOVED IT and that's all that mattered..and yes, I'd say it was a PT car. No matter if your in the jack stand stage or whatever...it's still cool.

We have a great bunch of guys here for the most part. The "define Pro Touring" debate has happened a few times and obviously it's a hot button topic. What guys who have seen it before fail to realized is that we have a lot of new members here that don't know. Members who are interested in building a car that car perform to one level or another (just better than stock). Guys need to look at this subject as if it where a magazine article. Does anyone think that magazine X loves building a sb chev 350 SO much that they just can't wait to publish another 3 month spread on the subject? Nope....they do it because they are constantly getting new readers (amongst other reasons) who want/need to know.



You asked two very direct questions and sadly it has turned into a debate or people have dodged them...so it seems. Everyone will have a different view point and I respect them all. I (poorly) tried to answer your questions and apologize for my failure. I would also like to apologize for those that have posted negatively here. That's not what LG is about. We are equally lucky to have guys, that range from newbie to professional, who love cars, . The exchange of information and how to is what's really important. You being happy with YOUR car is all that matters.

Please...start your build thread.

Originally Posted by Sieg

Bart,

If the line fits use it!

Most of us amatuers on the site are tinkerers because we enjoy cars as a hobby. We all have dreams and asperations that in many cases are stiffled by obligations to family and work, and limited financial resources, but try and do the best we can with what means we have. I owned my car for 22+ years now and just in the last year have managed to upgrade it to a point that it's actually fun and safe to drive.

Don't let intimidation keep you from posting your build. This forum is all about the hobby and the build and is a great wealth of information that can add to the quality of your build and help control costs at the same time.

Thank guys! Ive got some pics to upload and a little more work to do before I get on a build thread. Wont be much to show at first.

[intocarss]

Originally Posted by bret

Have fun. Nobody cares if your car is fast, or even what it looks like. They care if you're a good guy and if you like to have fun.

Quoted for the truth!!

We're all here sharing the same addiction and this site is our rehab

[89 RS]

Originally Posted by bret

Have fun. Nobody cares if your car is fast, or even what it looks like. They care if you're a good guy and if you like to have fun.