Editorial (long)
Back in the day, race cars and street cars were distinct and mutually exclusive. And the vehicle owners were equally different. For example, a race car dude would buy a set of custom BRC high or low silicon pistons with a 10cc dish or dome and a 1.395 pin location, while a street car enthusiast would buy a set of shelf stock TRW pistons and erroneously label them as 9.5:1's, or 12:1's. Racers called hot rodders "street squirrels" or "street strokes".
Times have changed. There exists a segment of the hot rod world that is technically savvy. It's people with an understanding of chassis dynamics and engine tuning. It's a segment that can hold it's own on a race track while still enjoying seat-time on the street. It's a segment that shares
wide crossover with race car brands--be it brakes or safety equipment. That segment is called Pro-Touring.
Most people and businesses still don't get pro-touring. In their world, the 15" Cragar SS and Holley 600 cfm/tunnel ram combo still reigns supreme. But one company--Lane Automotive, Inc. and its division Motor State Distributing has the guts and the vision to step up and grab the brass ring that is the pro-touring market.
And when Lane Automotive steps up, they go big! There were fire engines and police vehicles blocking intersections for the cruise procession. As we approached our cruise destination, a police escort led the way. At Gingerman, Lane Automotive employed the services of the South Bend SCCA. Efficient scheduling ensured that all participants received ample track time. Timing and scoring went off without a hitch. The PA system worked and the announcer was freakin' hilarious. Spectators were kept abreast of results at all times.
The autocross was another example of logistical efficiency. Apparently, the SCCA people have done this sort of thing before. Ditto on Motor States in-house event registration and contingency planning.
We didn't do so bad ourselves. I have never EVER seen hot rods pushed to such extremes. For example, my right rear brake pad completely vaporized at Gingerman. It's just gone! There are dozens of war stories. Three engines expired--One of them a complete meltdown. Numerous cars exceeded their traction limits and "got all four wheels off". Performance limits were explored in a safe, controlled environment. Kyle Tucker would have been in the hunt except that a broken battery mount torpedoed his Shootout time. So mechanical failure came into play just like at any race. The Motor State Challenge looked, sounded, smelled and felt like a true race. There is no longer any doubt that these cars possess supercar performance. Zero doubt.
I volunteered as technical director to scratch a long standing itch. I wanted to engineer an event that encompasses the best features of all previous events. So the inaugural MSC combined a road course Shootout like the Optima Challenge with Goodguys autocross and a Run Thru The Hills atmosphere including a 60 mile cruise and barbecue. Car shows and hangouts were inevitable--in the paddock, at the cruise destination and all night long in the host hotel parking lot. Two classes, Touring and Time Trial, accommodated a variety of build types and driver skill levels.
And the inaugural MSC was
super competitive. The margin of victory between 1st and 2nd place (all inclusive on 100 TW tires) was a mere .123 seconds. That's positively mind blowing! Not bad for a buncha "street strokes". (sic) Drama surrounding our 100 Tread Wear Tire Rule fizzed out. Boy am I glad. The fastest car driven by Ryan Matthews at DSE ran 300 TW BFG KDW's, the 2nd fastest car driven by Mark Stielow ran 220 TW Michelin PS2's and the 3rd place car driven by Jake Parrott at Jake's Rod Shop ran 100 TW Toyo R triple 8's. Enthusiasts were allowed to pick tires that made them feel safe and comfortable on track. That was the intention. Drivers like Ryan Matthews, Mark Stielow, Jake Parrott and David Pozzi can be fast even if they're driving Fred Flintstone's hot rod.
But the general consensus is that you did not need a competitive car or a ton of experience to thoroughly enjoy the Motor State Challenge. As event promotors, our primary goal is to inspire enthusiasts to finish cars and use them to their fullest potential. Get it done and drive it. That core philosophy is good for everyone--enthusiasts and vendors alike. Along the way, we are happy to enlighten anyone who thinks that pro-touring is soft or insignificant. Our cars do everything well.
Pictures and words cannot fully describe what we witnessed last weekend, but here it is:
The Motor State Challenge represents a milestone in hot rod history where pro-touring cars aggressively competed and looked good doing it. Does that sound too strong? If you were there, you would agree. I can't say it any other way.
Here are the final standings:
Time Trial class standings are based on road course Shootout times plus fastest autocross times. Entrants were required to participate in the 60 mile cruise as well.
Touring class standings are based on participation in cruise and road course segments as well as timed results from the autocross. Vendors (aftermarket manufacturers and dealers) were excluded from receipt of trophies and awards as were event organizers and late model vehicles.
Special mention goes to Scott Wahlstrom and Chad Higdon from Lane Automotive, Inc. / Motor State (for their vision); Jeff Luckritz from the South Bend Region of the SCCA (for meeting our complex goals and putting up with me); Bill Howell (for starting all of this five years ago) and Baer Brakes (for keeping spare brake pads in their hotel room).
Thanks everyone
/Steevo
Twist Machine
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
MSC Results and Editorial (long)
It does inspire some us to get our junk going.
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