Optima Challenge Is On Now...

[70rs]

On Speed right now.:thumbsup:

This is very cool for me to watch. I just wish I had been there in person to see it. All of the cars are looking great.

[GregWeld]

Being there was better than sex :D

[98ssnova]

Being there was better than sex :D

I dont think so buddy:rofl: :rofl: I love cars but i love sex more......:cheers:

[radrambler]

Being there was better than sex :D

I was gonna say "thats what happens when you get old"..:rofl:
But even us younger guys(38) love watching cars throw down...but i think by now most of us have realized its more fun to be at a car event than cooped up in the bedroom..now matter how hot the a$$ is
They need to show more action....:(

Tom

[FoxRod]

Maybe next year they ought to do it like over a month program. 1 hour show of each event and one show to touch on the cars individually.

[Chuck Byram]

The Challenge program was OUTSTANDING! My hat's off to everybody who had a hand in it. You put on an exciting show and made us all look good!
Second favorite quote: "Trailers are for boats!"
First favorite quote: "BLEEP! Stick you piece of crap, STICK!"

[Vegas69]

That show got my motor running.....:yes:

[70rs]

That show got my motor running.....:yes:

Did that make you want to go hammer some corners Todd?:D It did that to me! My poor truck is about to get thrashed on:lol:

[Vegas69]

It makes me want to compete...

[BlackenedRR]

I recorded it on DVD, can't wait til I can sit down to watch it tonight...

[67ragtp]

Great show,cool to see many of the top pro-touring cars in the country on the track.
Im curious what you guys honestly think about the cobra competeing against these heavier cars, to me it just seemed to be a bit of a mismatch, perhaps a weight limit of 2700lbs and up should be considered. It will be interesting to see if that car returns next year. Great show!

Rich

[camcojb]

Great show,cool to see many of the top pro-touring cars in the country on the track.
Im curious what you guys honestly think about the cobra competeing against these heavier cars, to me it just seemed to be a bit of a mismatch, perhaps a weight limit of 2700lbs and up should be considered. It will be interesting to see if that car returns next year. Great show!

Rich
he's not invited for this years competition.

Jody

[OLDFLM]

What a GREAT show!! Congrats to Jimi and everyone who participated!!!

IF you watch real hard and don't blink you can see the FREEDOM BIRD in the background as Rupp wheels BAD PENNY out of SEMA... I was taking pics of everyone as they were driving out and had no idea they were filming...

I knew I should have gotten autographs at SEMA! LOL

[chr2002ca]

Damn that was a lot of fun to watch. Congrats to all those who participated. I'm headed out to the garage...:lol:

[buickfunnycar.com]

I'm working so I gotta wait till tomorrow...:mad:

[ccracin]

he's not invited for this years competition.

Jody

I don't think that is the right thing to do. The previous winner should be an automatic invite. The next winner can't claim to be the "Ultimate" without beating the previous winner. Everyone now knows what they have to shoot for. Coming from a racing background I am never a fan of changing the rules to eliminate competition. If it is a true street legal car then go for it. If you want to change the rules to more clearly define "Street" then that is fine, but I think you gotta run the Cobra at least one more time.

By the way, I think for 1 hour, the coverage was excellent. I want more! Great jobe to all that participated and put the show on. This was just what I needed on a 20 degree day in south west PA! :hail: :lateral: :woot:

[JohnC]

I'm curious if there will be any changes to tire regulations next year also? :question:

...or if more new "street" tires are comming out? .....hmmmm...:_paranoid

[clill]

I think the Cobra will be invited back to run exhibition class. It is not really a street car and wasn't driven by the owner or the builder. He was invited because he won a Goodguys autocross. It is a killer car but in reality I don't think any of the cars on this site stand a chance against it so it would basically kill anyone busting their butt to make the event because we would all be fighting for 2nd place. Great car but he had the gun at a knife fight.

[HOLOHAN'S HOT ROD SHOP]

I agree, another good show by Bud Brutsman. He's definately got some talent, along with a great team with him to produce a quality show.

[camcojb]

I don't think that is the right thing to do. The previous winner should be an automatic invite. The next winner can't claim to be the "Ultimate" without beating the previous winner. Everyone now knows what they have to shoot for. Coming from a racing background I am never a fan of changing the rules to eliminate competition. If it is a true street legal car then go for it. If you want to change the rules to more clearly define "Street" then that is fine, but I think you gotta run the Cobra at least one more time.

By the way, I think for 1 hour, the coverage was excellent. I want more! Great jobe to all that participated and put the show on. This was just what I needed on a 20 degree day in south west PA! :hail: :lateral: :woot:read Charley's response for more info. It's not a street driven car anymore, I think he said it had been tracked only since the 70's, no street time at all since then. The owner didn't drive the car, had a friend drive it who was a national autocross champion and I believe owns a driving school. So in essence anybody now has to compete against a pro in a race car if they want to knock him off the top. I don't know of a true street car that will do that.

I had no problem with him competing, he earned it by winning a Goodguys autocross event which automatically qualified him for the shootout. Super nice guys and a very cool car, but it'd take a race car most likely to compete with him, as his is a race car with a pro driver, and a substantial weight advantage.

As Charley mentioned, they might bring him back for the exhibition class, they had other race cars in that class running last year, cool to see.

Jody

[coolwelder62]

I hope I can win a goodguys autox in 2010 so we can come back.My friend Boris Said he would drive my car next time.:lol: :lol:

[camcojb]

I hope I can win a goodguys autox in 2010 so we can come back.My friend Boris Said he would drive my car next time.:lol: :lol:
that'll work Scott................ :rofl:

[GregWeld]

I agree with Charley -- The Cobra was super kool --- and was an absolute treat to watch! And, like they said on the show - seeing one of these compete and really get thrashed on, is rare, but it shouldn't really be considered as a street car.

Watching this event on TV wasn't the same as being there - but they did a good job of showing how hard these cars were pushed. Watching it brought back good memories of a great day... and I was just a spectator!

Great group of people - great group of cars! Kudos to Optima and all of the other sponsors.

[Finch]

I'm curious if there will be any changes to tire regulations next year also? :question:

...or if more new "street" tires are comming out? .....hmmmm...:_paranoid


The tire rule has changed and will be 200 TW.

[Stuart Adams]

With no Cobra it will be very competitive next year. It will be interesting to see the changes people have to make to get into that 1:47 or so time on the track to compete with DSE, Marks new car, and Jackass. Can't wait already.

Enjoyed the telecast today. Good job to all the Optima guys, great event for all of us.

[MattG]

That was so cool to watch! Got me fired up and I wanted to go drive some, then I remembered the 3 inches of snow that just fell...Dohhh! :willy:

[David Pozzi]

With no Cobra it will be very competitive next year. It will be interesting to see the changes people have to make to get into that 1:47 or so time on the track to compete with DSE, Marks new car, and Jackass. Can't wait already.

Enjoyed the telecast today. Good job to all the Optima guys, great event for all of us.

If the Treadwear's 200 for 2010, the track times set by the Cobra, DSE, and Jackass from last year's OPTIMA event should be pretty safe. Those cars ran DOT "race" rubber, i.e. Hoosier A6's, BFG R1's, etc. Their treadwear is 30 or 40 which is pretty damn soft.

And I don't think the Cobra won a Good Guys autocross but rather just asked to compete. Not entirely sure, though. The owner was at the Pleasanton Good Guys last June but ran the Hoosiers on the Cobra so could only do exhibition. He struggled on that tight course.

David Pozzi

[camaro41701]

Does anyone stick the tires to check the compound?We always checked the tires with what I think was called a dyrometer.

[ccracin]

read Charley's response for more info. It's not a street driven car anymore, I think he said it had been tracked only since the 70's, no street time at all since then. The owner didn't drive the car, had a friend drive it who was a national autocross champion and I believe owns a driving school. So in essence anybody now has to compete against a pro in a race car if they want to knock him off the top. I don't know of a true street car that will do that.

I had no problem with him competing, he earned it by winning a Goodguys autocross event which automatically qualified him for the shootout. Super nice guys and a very cool car, but it'd take a race car most likely to compete with him, as his is a race car with a pro driver, and a substantial weight advantage.

As Charley mentioned, they might bring him back for the exhibition class, they had other race cars in that class running last year, cool to see.

Jody

No arguments there Jody. I guess no matter how good the coverage, this kind of stuff just doesn't get out in the open without sites like this. I still stand by my first comment, changing rules to eliminate competition is never a good thing. But, in this case it sounds like he got in through a "loop hole". If rules get changed to maintain the spirit of the whole competition then that is not a bad thing. Thanks to all of you that were there giving the whole story.

:cheers:

[coolwelder62]

I think I will go to the shop start building an alum. body for my camaro.That and my friend Boris Said he would drive should give me an unfair advantage which is what a sunoco camaro should have.:thumbsup:

[JohnC]

:rofl: The tire rule has changed and will be 200 TW.

Ahhhh! can you say P-S-2's......

What an awesome event....and what a bunch of comedians....

"trailers are for boats"....:rofl:

..."don't tell my wife I said that" :lol:

How many times can I replay this before I break my dvr???

[coolwelder62]

Well I guess I will put the PS2's back on.And body want to buy a set of BFG's R1's only used on 1 sunday afternoon to go to church.Like cond.:lol:

[Steve1968LS2]

I think the Cobra will be invited back to run exhibition class. It is not really a street car and wasn't driven by the owner or the builder. He was invited because he won a Goodguys autocross. It is a killer car but in reality I don't think any of the cars on this site stand a chance against it so it would basically kill anyone busting their butt to make the event because we would all be fighting for 2nd place. Great car but he had the gun at a knife fight.

I felt bad for the driver Jim.. he didn't even exist in the show or in many of print stories.. I felt bad he beat me in the autox until Dave told me he founded the Evolution Autocross Schools. lol

The opening line in my caption about the Cobra is "We never stood a chance..." And I said we were relegated to fighting for 2nd place.

Great event, great show and it's an honor to be associated with all of you. :thumbsup:

[Steve1968LS2]

Does anyone stick the tires to check the compound?We always checked the tires with what I think was called a dyrometer.

Nothing that fancy.. they operated on the honor system and just checked the tires treadwear rating.

[sixtnine]

First I would like to say the event coverage was great. I just happened to be flipping channels when I saw it comming on. When someone said earlier it would take a race car to beat the Cobra the first one that came to mind was Big Red. Any opinions how Big Red would do?

[Steve1968LS2]

First I would like to say the event coverage was great. I just happened to be flipping channels when I saw it comming on. When someone said earlier it would take a race car to beat the Cobra the first one that came to mind was Big Red. Any opinions how Big Red would do?

BR would lose.. well, unless it was a top speed acceleration deal. The power to weight to tire contact patch math just favors the Cobra. BR isn't made for quick handling. It's made for a specific task which it does VERY well.

[Vegas69]

Big red is not a multi purpose car. That's the beauty of the Optima challenge, it's a combination of exactly what we are all striving for around here. Highly capable in a road race, autocross, trip up the coast, and winning the car show. It's not easy to walk the centerline.

[awr68]

Great show! But like Greg said, it's MUCH more fun being there!! :yes:

Good to see so many of our 'family' in the show...great job guys - and Mary! :lateral:

And hats off to Optima and all the make it happen!! :thumbsup:

[Finch]

There are more rule changes for this year around who can drive the car in the competition as well as a drive portion to prove out the street manners of these cars. This along with 200 TW tires will make for some close and intense action.

I feel this event is starting to change the hobby. Until now most of the big name shops built cars just for the SEMA show, Now they will build cars just for Optima and swing by SEMA on the way to the track.


What a great year we have ahead of us.

[Rybar]

Just watched it on my PVR.

Very cool show and congrats to all of you who made it on. Whoever produced the show did an amazing job of showcasing the cars, events and people.

[Steve1968LS2]

Just watched it on my PVR.

Very cool show and congrats to all of you who made it on. Whoever produced the show did an amazing job of showcasing the cars, events and people.

They did a great job although I was a bit bummed that I was taken out of driving my car at the autocross and David was put behind the wheel.. They said it made better Television to have Mary vs David.. Hey, that's showbiz. lol

After watching that it made me realize just how much that PS pump cost me.. my time with it working on the exhibition run was 42.89.. and that's with me driving. Goes back to what I've always said about how the quality of the car/driver doesn't matter if stuff breaks.

At least she will be completely serviced for this year.

[Vegas69]

I heard you say you had clutch issues as well....

[Steve1968LS2]

I heard you say you had clutch issues as well....

Yea, not a huge deal but we kept missing shifts. Thought it was a bad clutch master.

I later found that it was a bent clutch push rod. When we built the car we forgot to put in a stop for the clutch pedal. Not a huge deal on the street but in competition we were jamming the pedal in so hard (and over traveling it) that the rod was slowly bending. At Optima it got bad enough that it was like only pushing in the clutch half way. Easily fixed, but a pain.

This is an example of why it takes a while to sort out a car, it's all this little stuff you miss during the big build.

Team Bad Penny will be HAPPY to be on 200 TW tires.. Dave was not a fan of how the A6s felt and none of us had experience with them. Besides, I hate changing tires/wheels at an event.

Although I would prefer 100 TW.. love my Toyos.

[tazzz2_ca]

I agree Steve I loved my Toyos on the Formula as well..... Great tires!!!

[Cris@JCG]

Just finished watching the show!!! It was great!!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[NovaJ]

Is there any way to see the show if I missed both times that it came on TV?
I looked on SPEED's website and couldn't find anything. Am I just out of luck?

[cdushane]

Just finished watching it and yeah, it really makes you want to go out and beat the piss out of your car :D

[67ragtp]

Yea, not a huge deal but we kept missing shifts. Thought it was a bad clutch master.

I later found that it was a bent clutch push rod. When we built the car we forgot to put in a stop for the clutch pedal. Not a huge deal on the street but in competition we were jamming the pedal in so hard (and over traveling it) that the rod was slowly bending. At Optima it got bad enough that it was like only pushing in the clutch half way. Easily fixed, but a pain.

This is an example of why it takes a while to sort out a car, it's all this little stuff you miss during the big build.

Team Bad Penny will be HAPPY to be on 200 TW tires.. Dave was not a fan of how the A6s felt and none of us had experience with them. Besides, I hate changing tires/wheels at an event.


Although I would prefer 100 TW.. love my Toyos.

Steve - Nitto just came out with a new performance tire, the NT-05, its a 200 UTOG might be just what your looking for and I think there a sister company with Toyo :thumbsup:

Rich

[clill]

Yea, not a huge deal but we kept missing shifts. Thought it was a bad clutch master.

I later found that it was a bent clutch push rod. When we built the car we forgot to put in a stop for the clutch pedal. Not a huge deal on the street but in competition we were jamming the pedal in so hard (and over traveling it) that the rod was slowly bending. At Optima it got bad enough that it was like only pushing in the clutch half way. Easily fixed, but a pain.

This is an example of why it takes a while to sort out a car, it's all this little stuff you miss during the big build.

Team Bad Penny will be HAPPY to be on 200 TW tires.. Dave was not a fan of how the A6s felt and none of us had experience with them. Besides, I hate changing tires/wheels at an event.

Although I would prefer 100 TW.. love my Toyos.

He's used to just running in first gear in his Walmart Autocrosses so shifting was never a issue..:D

[Vegas69]

:rofl: :rofl: I'm not digging the 200 treadwear rule. 100 treadwear is perfect in my opinion .The R888's are perfectly suited for everything we do.

[GregWeld]

B F Goodrich (or is it Goodyear?) being a sponsor... maybe they don't have anything to promote in the 100 TW arena??


What do I know - my Nomad has "A" rated tires...


:rofl: :rofl:

[cheapta]

I DVR'd it yesterday,watched it last night and then had it on in the shop again today! Great show-looks like a freaking blast!

[MODO Innovations]

Did anyone notice the Optima commercial that was filmed at the drag strip?

You can see Scott's car (I think) pulling away from the car that the camera was in. I remember a while back Scott said that he filmed a commercial.

[Vegas69]

I did notice, the chase vehicle was a Tundra.

[MaxHarvard]

So that's what Steve Rupp looks like :_paranoid

[Vegas69]

:rofl:

[Steve1968LS2]

Steve - Nitto just came out with a new performance tire, the NT-05, its a 200 UTOG might be just what your looking for and I think there a sister company with Toyo :thumbsup:

Rich

Too small.. the widest is a 295..

I keep telling Nitto to make WIDE sizes like Toyo does.. Hell, at least a 315.

[Steve1968LS2]

So that's what Steve Rupp looks like :_paranoid

Congrats on your first and last feature in our magazine...









:rofl:

[Steve1968LS2]

B F Goodrich (or is it Goodyear?) being a sponsor... maybe they don't have anything to promote in the 100 TW arena??


Ding.. ding.. ding..

Give that man a prize!

[XcYZ]

Did anyone notice the Optima commercial that was filmed at the drag strip?

You can see Scott's car (I think) pulling away from the car that the camera was in. I remember a while back Scott said that he filmed a commercial.

Yep, that was me. Randy Johnson was there that day, too. :thumbsup:

Don't blink during the commercial or you might miss it. lol


http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/media/OPTIMA/DSC05480.JPG

[AM.MSCL]

Yesterday the Ultimate Street Car was on but missed the first part of it. Wife found it and turn it on just in time to see "Bad Penny" lose the power steering pump. Cool Show but way to many commercials.
Ray

[MaxHarvard]

Congrats on your first and last feature in our magazine...









:rofl:


:lol:

Oh come on now! You're first television spot and you're going to get a little grief!

We could start calling you "Hollywood Rupp" :lol:

[Steve1968LS2]

:lol:

Oh come on now! You're first television spot and you're going to get a little grief!

We could start calling you "Hollywood Rupp" :lol:

Hey, I've been called worse. lol

I hope they sell this on DVD since my DVR is getting replaced today.

[buickfunnycar.com]

Cool Show but way to many commercials...

I would totally agree,so many commercials it made it almost painful to wait through them all,shoulda prolly taped it and FF through them but I didn't.

Very professionally done,cool camerawork and a great soundtrack made it real slick in my opinion...I hope this is just the beginning of this kind of programming.

Major props to all involved...:thumbsup: :woot: :cheers: :hail: :bow:

[GregWeld]

I would totally agree,so many commercials it made it almost painful to wait through them all,shoulda prolly taped it and FF through them but I didn't.

Very professionally done,cool camerawork and a great soundtrack made it real slick in my opinion...I hope this is just the beginning of this kind of programming.

Major props to all involved...:thumbsup: :woot: :cheers: :hail: :bow:

Never thought about FF thru the commercials --- I FF'd thru RUPPS parts...




:rofl: :rofl:

[David Pozzi]

I think you might see a lot of carbon fiber LS9 kit Cobras next time. - If they allow them.
I just hope somehow Optima can keep the cool street cars participating and having a chance to win. I see a Cobra or well built/driven street rod having the best chances under last years rules.

I don't see this event as ever being perfect, the variety of cars is too wide to make it completely fair to everyone, but it does make for an interesting event to view on TV. Multiple classes would be better, but this event is structured around arriving at one "Ultimate Street Car" so how can you have multiple classes?
I feel very lucky to have participated in two of these events. Thanks Steve! :thumbsup:
David

[monza]

Any downloads available or links to watch it online?

[JohnC]

I think you might see a lot of carbon fiber LS9 kit Cobras next time. - If they allow them.
I just hope somehow Optima can keep the cool street cars participating and having a chance to win. I see a Cobra or well built/driven street rod having the best chances under last years rules.

I don't see this event as ever being perfect, the variety of cars is too wide to make it completely fair to everyone, but it does make for an interesting event to view on TV. Multiple classes would be better, but this event is structured around arriving at one "Ultimate Street Car" so how can you have multiple classes?
I feel very lucky to have participated in two of these events. Thanks Steve! :thumbsup:
David

Very good insight, David. I agree with you a hundred percent. :thumbsup:

[Payton King]

...not that anybody cares. Steve actually looked good on camera and I had him picked for a radio only kind of guy. LOL Charlie had his cool swagger on as well.

I wish they would have shown more cars doing their thing than the people's faces as they were speaking. One quick shot of the speaker and then show the cars dang it. They could have voiced over the track action.

Well put together and beautifully filmed. Wish they would have given more numbers

Limiting tire compound and no race gas would level the field as well. Hate they are staying with the 200 tw as the Toyo R888 is a nice tire.

They do make an NT05 in a 335 but I believe it is for a 19 inch rim.

Great show, made me want to go to the track.

[Steve1968LS2]

...not that anybody cares. Steve actually looked good on camera and I had him picked for a radio only kind of guy. LOL Charlie had his cool swagger on as well.

I wish they would have shown more cars doing their thing than the people's faces as they were speaking. One quick shot of the speaker and then show the cars dang it. They could have voiced over the track action.

Well put together and beautifully filmed. Wish they would have given more numbers

Limiting tire compound and no race gas would level the field as well. Hate they are staying with the 200 tw as the Toyo R888 is a nice tire.

They do make an NT05 in a 335 but I believe it is for a 19 inch rim.

Great show, made me want to go to the track.

I'm best suited for print media where I mostly write and occasionally show up in a small photo.. lol

[Scotch]

The show came out great. It was a riot to watch and was well done. All the guys on camera were polished just enough to look sharp without being over the top.

I'd buy a DVD too! I hope they're available from somewhere soon.

[GregWeld]

I too - agree with David... no 'event' will ever be perfect. Having said that - I can't imagine ANYONE that participated that wouldn't do it again in a heartbeat... Well... maybe Kinnan... :rofl:

He made it to turn 1 -- I'd have crashed on the straight....

[Nick L]

I too - agree with David... no 'event' will ever be perfect. Having said that - I can't imagine ANYONE that participated that wouldn't do it again in a heartbeat... Well... maybe Kinnan... :rofl:

He made it to turn 1 -- I'd have crashed on the straight....

I wouldn't be surprised if Kinnan comes back next year stronger than ever...

Nick

[GregWeld]

Nick.... I would hope so!!

Not like I've never driven off track before... getting the chance to do it again -- priceless!

Really - that event was such a hoot! Can't imagine anyone not wanting to participate.

[Steve1968LS2]

I wouldn't be surprised if Kinnan comes back next year stronger than ever...

Nick

Yea, that was just a mistake on his part (and we all make them).. he's really a pretty good driver from what I've heard.. and a nice guy. He was just unfortunate enough to have his mistake at a televised event.

And now he has something to prove and a year to sort out the car.

[GregWeld]

I shouldn't have even mentioned it -- I was just trying to be "funny" -- and I know that it really wasn't/isn't (the actual event).

I've driven that track myself... and while I didn't go rock hunting there - it's real easy to do - with cold tires - and a hot foot... and even the "pros" will find a rock now and then.

[Vegas69]

I'm still pretty sure the rocks and dirt out there are radioactive. It sticks to your car like glue!

[66LS7]

Yep, that was me. Randy Johnson was there that day, too. :thumbsup:

Don't blink during the commercial or you might miss it. lol


http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/media/OPTIMA/DSC05480.JPG

Thanks Scott, That picture turned out pretty nice I do say so myself!:thumbsup: