Ultimate Street Car Association (USCA)?

In reply to Joe Gearin:

Aim low (fastest AMC! )

Seriously though, the level of cars at the non-SEMA versions of these events should be significantly lower than the original Invitational. There's just not that many 6-figure Pro Touring cars on the planet.

In reply to Keith Tanner:

Doubtful, the reading on the site so far on that portion of the event states that equal credence is given to DD-ability, performance, engineering, and fit & finish. I'm guessing that active aero, legit rally scars, and the V8/suspension will net you a high score.

Keith--- I'm pretty sure the same driver has to compete in all events. With 500hp and 2400lbs, you'd be in the ballpark. Now you just need to find a driver with NO sense of self-preservation! I'd imagine with a wheelbase that small, and that much power, it would be a twitchy beast at high speed.

Javelin--- you may be right about the bar not being quite as high at the other events, but there are plenty of high-dollar Pro Touring cars out there. That said.....who says with a bit of ingenuity, and lots of labor you couldn't beat them?

By the way....Jimi Day (organizes the event) has a sweet early AMX that he runs in the One Lap of America events. He'd probably disqualify himself from the Optima Challenge though...so have at it!

That's what aero is for, Joe I need to find a rulebook.

Do you think they will have a true rule book for this?

From their facebook page when I asked about a rulebook:

"This is a series for real street cars that are meant to be driven. Race cars with a license plate are not within the spirit of the series. If it's a performance street car driven by its owner or builder of record, not a professional driver, it will be welcome."

Kinda sounds like a definition of pornography. I think there might be some overlap between "street" and "show" car there, but I guess we'll find out.

If GRM is getting involved there should be a $20xx class, just saying. That way I have a reason to midmount an ej20 in the spider and keep it in budget.

If nothing else, these events will certainly be worthy of spectating.

What spider? I just did this, but not for $2013

The yeller one.

I figure having paid $275 for the car, I'd be pretty well set on keeping it inside the $20xx budget. Being in the Pacific Northwest, it's likely I will never make it down to Gainesville with a car. Pretty much any money I've put into the car can be unbolted at this point.

Knowing that an ej20 measures 23" from the front pulleys to the output shafts on the transmission isn't helping the idea leave my head. Plus you could conceivably move the output shafts rearward of wheel centerline to help that measurement out a bit.

I always assumed yours was rear mounted. I was thinking about firing up the plasma torch and going midship.

What transmissions were you thinking?

Keith Tanner wrote: "This is a series for real street cars that are meant to be driven. Race cars with a license plate are not within the spirit of the series."

...And I wish them the best of luck with enforcing that. LOL!

I asked about my Targa car - given that it's completed thousands of road miles in weather ranging from 100F to a for-real hurricane, I figured it was as much a street car as your typical Pro Touring car. But it has no interior, of course, and it's all business with numbers on the doors. Although I can hit a speed bump at 80 MPH without losing traction, I think that might make it more of a street car than some!

"Keith, that car would qualify but it would non score well in out design and engineering segment. This series is for performance street cars and the lack of an interior will not allow it to score well."

It's definitely going to be a bit of a challenge weeding out the street cars from the race cars with plates. Obviously, it's intended for Pro Touring cars. But such a slippery slope!

In reply to Keith Tanner: Hmmmm. . . becoming less and less interested as this develops. Sounds like the makings for a big dollar car show with some ancillary pretend racing. Guess we'll see what happens. Once the flat hatters latch on to it, its dead to me.

In reply to Keith Tanner:

Install temporary interior?

I can sure do that. It wouldn't be to pretty showcar status, but it could be done. Maybe I should have slathered Bondo all over the engine bay to make it nice and smooth when I had the engine out. Instead, I'm thinking of things such as how to route the wires so they're easy to access in case of a problem.

It could also just be that the guy who's doing their Facebook isn't very good at his job. I'm sure not getting a welcoming feeling, more like "yeah, we don't know who you are, so we're not really interested little boy". But that just makes it more fun to show up with the chick car with the big lope in the idle and scars on the skid plates.

Keith, if I can give any advise against the flat brimmers, Alcantara everything inside the glass

I think we should find the rattiest but omg fast cars to send to each one. Dominate the performance competitions, mock them relentlessly during the " ooh look shiny" part.

They said it's judging engineering. You know what good engineering is?

Solving a problem with as few resources as possible.

I guess it depends on how they weight the scoring. In most contexts, "engineering" = another way for deep pockets to buy a championship by putting lots of pretty, expensive parts on an already overpriced car. If the actual driving is the bulk of the scoring, it might be OK. From the tone of the responses to Keith, it would seem "engineering" will be make or break. In that case, it looks like thousandaires like myself will have to stick with club autocross, GRM Challenge, HPDE's and Chump/Lemons. That's where all the fun people hang out anyways, so no big loss.

I took a look as those Detroit Speed subframes thinking that would be nice to have on my Firebird....holy hell 7k-9k for the subframe, then another 3k-4k for the rear setup.

Keith Tanner wrote: It could also just be that the guy who's doing their Facebook isn't very good at his job.

He's probably an unpaid Intern who can't tell an LS1 from an aircraft carrier. Wait for the actual rules announcements and contact the actual organizers. I get the feeling the Targa Miata would be a lot more welcome than you think.

Wow, a lot of negativity from something most folks know very little about.

Keith-- I wouldn't worry too much about the "Engineering- design" category. Some of the cars are so over the top that regardless what you do to the Miata, it would be hard to score well. For instance....there was a Ford GT at the event I went to---- it had been re-bodied to look like a 68 Mustang, interior included-- it didn't win this part of the contest!

I'd love to see the Targa car compete. You'd have a good shot at the autocross, and hopefully would be able to hold your own on the road course portion. BTW--- nearly all the top cars on the road-course had stripped interiors.

"dominating" the performance competitions would be a tall order--- the top cars are very fast, and very developed. Underestimating your competition would be foolish.

You know, if you substitute a drag strip for the road course, it actually sounds a whole lot like some other event that's taking place about now

I am waiting for some real information. There have to be some rules, whether it be tires or how the car behaves on the "road rally". I figure the Facebook guy is just a bit clueless.

Joe, I never said anything about "dominating". If I have to drive, the car won't be competitive on the road course. If I could hand over the keys to a amateur friend of mine, well, that would be different. Really, what I'm thinking is that I have a car that might be fun to bring - and if it surprises a few, all the better.

We're all working in a vacuum here. Joe, do you have ANY information on the rules other than "it should look like a domestic muscle car"? Do you have to use the same tires for everything? Does the owner/builder REALLY have to drive? Fuel requirements? Ground clearance? Anything?

Keith Tanner wrote: I asked about my Targa car -... "Keith, that car would qualify but it would non score well in out design and engineering segment. This series is for performance street cars and the lack of an interior will not allow it to score well." It's definitely going to be a bit of a challenge weeding out the street cars from the race cars with plates. Obviously, it's intended for Pro Touring cars. But such a slippery slope!

This is why I haven't done it yet in the One Lap CRX. I was invited to run one of the qualifiers but the effort to make the car showroom-presentable was just not worth it. I'm pretty sure I could hold my own with the other activities, though.

In the past, the "competitions" have been 50-50 between infomercial for sponsors and real on-track action. Something they made no bones about in their write-ups for participants. Will be interesting to see how much of this carries over. I suspect a lot.

Keith: read the rules from the existing/past events here: Optima Challenge Rules<

While the new series won't be exactly like this, I'll bet it will be very similar. They are in the mode of expanding on what they have, not reinventing the wheel.

That's just what I needed, Andy. Thanks.

I'd expect their rules for 2014 to be similar to the current ones for the OUSCI below. Cars that were invited throughout the year are expected to be at SEMA in the display to be allowed to race the final event. They invited random cars and winners of other events they sponsored throughout the year. Personally, I'm hoping they change the tire spec rules or I probably won't attend.

EDIT: Andy beat me to the punch with the link but I'll leave them below anyway.

Qualifying vehicles must be domestic or import four-wheeled street capable vehicles with a strong resemblance to a current or former production model.

The only open-wheeled vehicles allowed are '34-and- older domestic vehicles and replicas thereof. Other vehicles such as production "concept" cars may be allowed. This event is designed to be a fun and spirited competition to showcase vehicles conceived and built using parts and manufacturers represented by the SEMA organization. Vehicles must be set-up to be street-driven daily in all kinds of weather.

The vehicle must be shown at the current year SEMA Show during the week previous to the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational (OUSCI). The entry can be a booth vehicle, feature vehicle or a vehicle displayed in the OUSCI car corral. Vehicles that are not on the SEMA Show grounds during the entire show will not be allowed to compete.

Vehicles returning from a previous OUSCI event will only be considered if the vehicle meets one or both of the following: The vehicle has had significant upgrades that must include outwardly visible modifications. The car must look like a different vehicle from a distance of 50 feet. If you are unsure, please send us "before-and-after" shots and we will tell you if the vehicle looks different enough. The vehicle has won an OPTIMA regional qualifying event in the current year by the owner or builder of record. That driver who won the qualifier must also be the driver at the OUSCI and meet rule #10.

This event has a very specific media focus and the rules are intended to encourage a spirit of safe and fun competition. The organizers understand that everyone will not like our rules or play nicely with others, so we created rule #25.

If the rules do not specifically say you CAN do something, you probably CANNOT do it. It is 100% your responsibilities to contact us and obtain clarification in writing anything you think may fall into a 'gray area.' Don't wait until the day of the event and expect special consideration.

The OUSCI will contain a combination of the following elements: Street Driving/Open Road/Rally Competition Autocross Acceleration/Braking Road Course Performance/Design Competition All event participants must compete in all segments of the event to qualify for any awards.

All event participants must be registered members of OPTIMA's brand enthusiast online community, Power Pack Nation. Register at Power Pack Nation

Each vehicle entered in the competition will represent a single entry, with only one driver allowed. Participants cannot switch drivers or share vehicles with other participants.

The registered owner or builder of record must drive the vehicle during all events. Builder of record must be an identified individual that is not a professional driver. Builders of record must be identified and approved by OPTIMA before October 15th. No competitive professional drivers will be allowed to compete for awards or the Ultimate Street Car title. As a rule of thumb, the builder of record must have had responsibility for at least 70% of all modifications to the vehicle. A painter, suspension tuner or motor builder is not considered to be a builder of record if they performed only those specific duties on the vehicle. A person who completed ALL of those duties may be considered the builder of record. If the owner of the vehicle is the person who contracted the build through many vendors then the owner is the builder of record. Typically the only person who qualifies as the builder of record is the owner or manager of a shop who modified the vehicle into its current condition from the condition in which it was purchased.

All drivers and passengers must sign a liability waiver. Passengers will only be allowed during the road rally and autocross portions of the event and must be at least 18 years of age, identified and pre-registered before the competition begins. Only one passenger may be in the vehicle during the autocross event and the passenger safety harnesses or belts must pass technical inspection.

Passengers will not be allowed in any open top vehicles.

A mandatory driver/passenger meeting will be held prior to the first competition. Roll call will be taken to verify attendance.

Only official wrist-banded drivers and passengers may ride in the cars on the track.

Participating cars must pass a safety and technical inspection that will emphasize safety. Safety features that do not offer a competitive advantage such as racing specific harnesses, roll cages/bars, fire systems, etc, are acceptable.

All convertibles or any open top vehicle must have rollover protection – no exceptions.

Helmet use is required during any non-highway segment of the event.

Helmets must have a SNELL rating SN2005 or newer.

Non-synthetic clothing (cotton, wool, leather, etc.) covering the torso, arms and legs shall be required (no shorts or short sleeves). The use of racing fire protection gear is highly recommended.

On board fire extinguisher is mandatory – A 2.5 lb. minimum, automotive BC fire extinguisher, with a secure quick-release mounting bracket made of metal is required. The extinguisher must be within easy reach of the driver. The metal bracket must be permanently mounted to the vehicle – zip ties are not acceptable.

All competitors must have current registration, proof of insurance, and a current driver's license. All of the following are required: current registration, working headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, and a safety-glass windshield.

A 12V accessory adapter is required for certain timing equipment. It is the participant's responsibility to insure this is in place and working. Failure to record times in any event will disqualify participants for any awards. These are inexpensive and available at any auto parts store so please have them ready on race day.

Each vehicle is required to display the OUSCI decal package per specifications.

Participants must use DOT approved, non-competition, treaded (non-grooved) street tires (no competition radials, no R compound, drag radials or shaved tread) with a tread wear rating of 200 or higher. Tires will be required to pass a technical inspection at the track. The spirit of the event requires the use of a DOT approved "non-competition" tire – any modifications to tires will be unacceptable. Any vehicle with tires showing any evidence of modification will be immediately disqualified from the event. Segments of the OUSCI will incorporate competitive elements that will make race tires unsafe and uncompetitive. Safety is of the utmost importance and the race director or event coordinators will not hesitate to disqualify questionable tire selections. Competitors must use a single set of tires for the entire event, no tire changing between events will be allowed. Tires will be marked during tech. Tire changes will be allowed in the event of a catastrophic failure, but replacements must be of the same size, manufacturer and model as those approved during tech inspection.

Race director and event management staff will have COMPLETE discretion to deny or remove from competition anyone in the event for any reason.

Rules or spirit of the event interpretation will be at the sole discretion of the OUSCI steering committee or event organizers.

Optional but highly suggested: Should you be one of the lucky invitees of the OUSCI, we strongly suggest that you support our event sponsors and take every opportunity to show off your passion for the products you use. OUSCI sponsors pay for your entry. Pay them back by promoting their products. You and/or your car may be shot by various magazines or filmed for a TV show. Wear sponsors hats and shirts. Put the decals on your car. Your enthusiasm may possibly have an influence on future invitations. Overall, the entire industry needs your support so please do your part.