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

[LS7 Z/28]

Originally Posted by James OLC

Points for the championship were based on the best 3 events. Ken went to 5 events in the 1LE, Bryan went to 3, Kyle went to 6, I went to 6, Ryan went to 7 and Billy went to 5. Nobody in the Top 20 went to fewer than 3 events. If we used the best single event score the National Champion would have been Brandon in the Evo and the title could have easily gone to someone who was the only car in their class.

Well there's my answer.... I think 3 events is kind of low for a 10 race series but it makes sense that they did that. Next year with additional events I'm guessing they would use the best 5 at least.

[Track Junky]

Originally Posted by camcojb

The 2014 USCA Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational was awesome. Had a great time, and if you have a chance you really need to attend these events.

In the finals it's "run what you brung"; no classes for individual cars. But what would a pro-touring class look like if there were classes for competitors? I'd love to hear your thoughts. :thumbsup:

Not sure why I am even commenting on this particular subject since its not my bag of tea but here's my $.02......Pro-touring to me is any muscle car under 1973 with aftermarket up grades. If I was going to separate the competition in this particular class I would do it based on weight. 3200 lbs and under with driver and 3201 lbs and over with driver.
Beyond that I'd keep it run what you brung. I personally don't think power plays a big part in being fast on a road course as much as tires and weight do and were all trying to squeeze the fattest tires up underneath our wells anyways.

[chetly]

Originally Posted by James OLC

Points for the championship were based on the best 3 events. Ken went to 5 events in the 1LE, Bryan went to 3, Kyle went to 6, I went to 6, Ryan went to 7 and Billy went to 5. Nobody in the Top 20 went to fewer than 3 events. If we used the best single event score the National Champion would have been Brandon in the Evo and the title could have easily gone to someone who was the only car in their class.

Interesting, I didn't know that many people went to so many events. My reasoning comes from the not everyone can afford to go to multiple events, but everyone should be able to compete for a championship. Congrats to Ken. I wasn't trying to knock him, just the system.

[Vegas69]

I was only at the event for a few hours but one of my first impressions was that the days of a pro-touring car winning are likely in the past. In all honesty, this event needs to appeal to the masses for it to continue. I think they realized that pro touring couldn't support this series. Pro touring is a relatively small group of people. Another observation was the huge amount of sponsor support and small crowd. I'm sure SEMA played into the decisions for these vendors to show up, but there was more vendor support than you see at big events in drag racing, etc..

This event is a luxury for all involved. Build a nice car and if you get invited, wear a smile and go out and have fun. You aren't going to win.

If you want to win, build a corvette and have lots of talent.

I told Greg when I saw him that Mark's car is the epidemy of pro touring. To me, many of the others are just glorified race cars. Build what floats your boat, I don't have a problem with it. But for me, I'd want what Mark has for a street car or a purpose built race car.

It's going to be tough to come up with any rules for this event. The cars are going way to FAST. When you start taking away race car strategies, you end up with a less safe event. It goes back to the run what you brung and look at it as a luxury to me.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

sad but true

[GregWeld]

Personally I'd like to just see three "classes" with no rules for the classes. Rules and definitions are just a PITA and create too many other issues.

Pick a DATE for a cut off for an EARLY IRON class

The EARLY IRON wouldn't define "pro touring"... it's just all early cars.

Anything after that magic date is a LATE MODEL - all wheel drive - whatever...

Then have a "show car" class

I like the "Show cars" -- it's so kool to see people willing to build a "show car" and yet come out and put it at risk... they're generally not "racer" types - most are totally unprepared. Let 'em at least slug it out for a trophy against the other show cars without having to compete with real race cars.


Change the styling to what I've said in past -- "WHICH CAR WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO DRIVE" and leave it at that. That's 3 picks - one for each "class". Done. Then run what ya brung.


You could still have an OVERALL CHAMPION -- but at least there would be a "class winner" and that would put some spark back into the eyes of the early iron guys and would be fun for the "SHOW CAR" people too... you could brag that you had the fastest show car at OUSCI and have a trophy to show for it.


The fun of the early events was just to watch ALL of the cars RUN -- it was less of a competition and more of a come out and run, and while there wasn't many spectators and no TV -- it was the coolest event ever because EVERYONE just came out and did the best they could do with what they had.


I'd also like to see them hand out TROPHIES instead of checks. Checks get spent and you have no memory to show down the road. TROPHIES are for keeps and every time you see it the memories flood in and bring a smile to your face. Those $500 BF Goodrich checks they handed out would buy a pretty nice trophy and it could have a big BFG on the top kinda like a Wally..... So BFG would be forever immortalized as being a part of the event.

[57hemicuda]

Although I still prefer anarchy, that makes sense, simple classes, without a bunch of rules. I like the fact that it still brings in the show cars allowing sponsors to show off their products. Still has a hint of the wild wild west, and lets everybody play.

Still have no desire to watch late models and ricers race, maybe they should limit them to around 3, OK 5.lol

[dontlifttoshift]

Originally Posted by dontlifttoshift

I would very much like to hear an opinion or two from someone who competed over the weekend and would like to see a change.....and I would _really_ like to see the results from the weekend to see how outgunned the PT cars are.

Originally Posted by James OLC

I was there. We were badly outgunned for the most part and it was no surprise. The points champion drove a 5th gen and late model Camaros and Corvettes were dominant throughout the year. And yes - AWDs were there all year - but this was the first event where they were ALL there the same time.

BUT - we tried - we had fun - and we would all do it again.

Does it need to change?

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by dontlifttoshift

Does it need to change?

Yes and No.... IMHO

Anyone that wouldn't go because they couldn't "WIN" is a loser....
This event is just fantastic and anyone that gets a chance should make the effort regardless of their chance to win, place, or show. In the end it's about the memories, and the friendships made -- not the time slip.

But you could also modify the event so people could at least get recognized for their efforts? What would it hurt. It would cost so little for 3 or 4 trophies and some mic time at the awards ceremony....

There just aren't very many folks capable of adding launch control and abs brakes - and AWD to their early iron. Then it would be a race to at least compare and try to outwit guys of your own cloth.

[chetly]

James, what's your reasoning behind no sequential transmissions? With today's automatics shifting as fast as they do I see no difference.

In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Steilows next car didn't have flappy paddles, launch control and abs...