Vin Wins! Year One Auto-X

[Steve Chryssos]

Let's all congratulate two of our own pro-touring.com members Vinnie Allegretta and Jeff Tate. They took the top two spots in the 1981 and earlier (old car) category at the Air Ride Technologies Auto-X at the Year One Experience. I did not recognize the name of the person who came in third. Sorry if I'm leaving you out. Hopefully Air Ride will chime in and post the name of the 3rd place winner as well as pix of cars in action. (please)

Vin won a set of tires, a $500 Air Ride Gift Certificate and a $500 Year One Gift Certificate and a cool ass trophy. I'm not sure what Jeff won. I'll let him tell you. Vin also got his car shot for Camaro Performers. So needless to say, he's pretty stoked about winning the auto-x, getting a magazine feature, and hot lapping around the Road Atlanta road course after running 10.60's a coupla week ago.

Does anyone have a more bad-ass documented Pro-Touring car?

This one's got Air Ride and an automatic transmission. :1st: :smoke:

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

hes gotta burn off them old ones first... that wont be long tho..

ahhaha

congrats fellas..

[dropit69]

wohoooo congrats VIN..well deserved after watching you tear it up on the course at RTTH ....wish i could have been there..and congrats to jeff Tate also..

[MrQuick]

wow, congrats to vin. he'll need them tires bet ya.

[Rick Dorion]

How cool is this! Congrats!

[hotrdblder]

vinny def had fun this weekend, his car is not perfect, but it was a hit, crowd was hootin and hollaring when he idd the autocross, congrats vin
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/05/IMG_1279-1.jpg

[John McIntire]

that is great! Congrats to both! I love the videos of vin's car running the 1/4 and the autocross. That thing has some torque!

[BA.]

Congrats to ya Vin & Jeff. Everyone must have had an excellent weekend!

Sooo, did y'all have the Dyno at Year One? I'm curious if the blue bomber made it to the dyno. :)

[IDOXLR8]

Congrats GUYS!!!!

Way to go Jeff! If you ever get out towards Fort Worth look me up!

Tony

[69Nova]

Kickass. Did anyone get any video? Whats left for this car to compete in? Hill Climb?? Rally?? LOL!

[John McIntire]

Congrats to ya Vin, Everyone must have had an excellent weekend!

Sooo, did y'all have the Dyno at Year One? I'm curious if the blue bomber made it to the dyno. :)

Thats right! I forgot about that! I'd love to know what that thing puts to the ground!

[Vinz68]

Thanks Guys!! What a great weekend, it was definatly worth the 950 mile trip. The car was awesome. I had it up to 140 on the back straight and it was still pulling hard.

I didn't get a chance to get it on the dyno.... hopefully soon

My hats off to Jake at Jakes Rod shop for building suck a kick a$$ car!:1st:

[55chevyman]

congrats vin!!!
took some pics of your car in the pits yesterday around 2:00. Bada$$ car man! you can see the pics in the link in my sig. just make sure to go to the 08 yoe album.

[trapin]

Awesome news. Congratulations Vinny for winning the autoX and congrats to Jake for what is fast becoming the most popular Pro-Touring car around. If you guys got any video of the festivities we'd love to see it. Year One is one of my dream events, I'd love to be able to make it one year.

And a secondary congratulations to THE KING. Jeff Tate is good people and I'm glad he got some accolades this weekend.

[monza]

Congrats Vin and Jeff that is Awesome. Must have been a amazing trip.
Any video kicking about?

[jimhamptons]

Congrats Vinnie! Seems like yesterday you were covered in dirt working in the car at the shop.

Congrats also to Jake for his car-building skills and to Steve for his knowledge base and perspective.

[andrewb70]

Way to go Vinnie!

Andrew

[Bill Howell]

Vinnie is my hero. Drives it like he stole it everywhere he goes. Congratulations Vin.

Also, Jeff, great job. Fun to watch that orange 69 making laps on the autocross.

[gsxrken]

Way to go Vinnie. That car just gets better and better. And huge props for getting the car down there and running it hard. You're getting your money's worth out of that thing!

[WS6]

awesome job guys. congrats

[ProdigyCustoms]

Is he still smiling since Pigeon Forge! Congrats Vinnie. A badd ass driver with a badd ass car.

[parsonsj]

Yo Vinnie! Congratulations, man!!!

jp

[nickdoe6]

Vinnie,
Congrats on a great weekend. It was fun watching your car on the big track Saturday.
We're looking forward to having your car in Camaro Performers magazine.

Steve C. - sorry about the cone rash. Should buff out though...

Nick L.

[7TSS]

Now that's how to git'r dun LOL

[class67]

Congrats!!!!!!! My hat's off to both of you.

[Damn True]

Congrats Vin!!!

Did anyone get any video?


BTW, it was a big weekend for PT autocrossing. Mary Pozzi won CP men (yes....I said men) at the 41st annual Duel at DeAnza auto-x in CA.

TChd_TYjPI4

[Nine Ball]

Congrats Vinnie, car looked great in person.

Tony

[ProdigyCustoms]

Thanks for that video Damn. Mary looks very smooth there.

Congratulations Mary

[rob07002]

That's awsome! Congrats Vin & Jeff

[MarkM66]

Congrats.

What cars won the Top 3 in the show?

[hotrdblder]

orange 1st gen firebird convert,58 chevy, and the 55 tube chassis c5 chevy that was up for the riddler a few years back but had engine problem.

[David Sloan]

Congrats Vin.
It was good to meet you guys, an thanks for coming to the Pro-Touring dinner an hanging out with us.

PS Thats one bad asssss!!!!!!!!! car!

[yellowrallys]

orange 1st gen firebird convert,58 chevy, and the 55 tube chassis c5 chevy that was up for the riddler a few years back but had engine problem.

And the cool thing about the black 58 is, it was driven down from Mooresville, NC.

Nice to meet Jake and Vinnie, congrats on the autox win and to Jeff Tate also!

[69rs]

Does anyone have a more bad-ass documented Pro-Touring car?


I would like to see someone step up. That would be a showdown!
Awesome car! And Vinnie is super cool, too! (even being a new yorker) Congrats on the win! :1st:

And Jeff, congrats on the bridesmaid position! :2nd: You guys rock!

[hotrdblder]

And the cool thing about the black 58 is, it was driven down from Mooresville, NC.

Nice to meet Jake and Vinnie, congrats on the autox win and to Jeff Tate also!
nice meeting you too steve, hope you had a safe trip home. your car is killer.

[Vinz68]

Well I'm still here in Georgia, we stayed an extra day to relax. I so wish this weekend wasn't over.... We had such a good time, met more people from the boards and got to hang with people I met at RTTH last year.It's really cool to get to drive around a race track and hang out with the people you meet in the forums.
And yes Frank I still have a HUGE grin :)

[Damn True]

I would be really interested in seeing where that thing would fall in the SCCA classification. CP or one of the modified classes?

Planning on hitting up any NE region SCCA auto-x events?

[Vinz68]

I would be really interested in seeing where that thing would fall in the SCCA classification. CP or one of the modified classes?

Planning on hitting up any NE region SCCA auto-x events?
I don't what cataegory it would fall in....:dunno: I'm kinda curious now.
I'm definatly going to get to some NE autocross events this summer. But first I have to get back to the drag strip and see what I get out the car with a 100-200 shot. :6gears:

[Damn True]

But first I have to get back to the drag strip and see what I get out the car with a 100-200 shot. :6gears:

Wheelspin?

[Vinz68]

Congrats Vin!!!

Did anyone get any video?


BTW, it was a big weekend for PT autocrossing. Mary Pozzi won CP men (yes....I said men) at the 41st annual Duel at DeAnza auto-x in CA.

TChd_TYjPI4
WOW!! she sure can drive!

[Vinz68]

Wheelspin?
I run a 26/12 M&H Race master slick. It doesnt spin a bit out of the hole.

[Damn True]

WOW!! she sure can drive!

Yes - http://vimeo.com/1034179 - yes she can.

[JEFFTATE]

Thanks everybody !

I won a $250 certificate from AirRide and another $250 certificate from YearOne !
How cool is that !

It was so great to meet up with everyone at the event.
I had such a great time .
See everybody at RTTH 4 !

[Damn True]

I run a 26/12 M&H Race master slick. It doesnt spin a bit out of the hole.

Doesn't, or hasn't? I mean you havent whacked those things with a 200 spray yet?

Just pulling your leg a bit. Can't wait to see how it does.



Auto-x schedule is at the bottom of this page - http://www.ner.org/schedule.htm

[Steve Chryssos]

Man, I wish I could drive like Mary Pozzi! When the cones see me line up, they all take a step back to ensure their own personal safety. A few of them just lay down on their sides in anticipation of the inevitable.

Nick Licata took my car thru the Year One course. Apparently, Nick is not too fond of my manual brakes. He went in deep, pushed the pedal a little, cursed, jammed on the pedal--and then pushed (as in the car pushed) straight thru a line of cones. "All four wheels off course" is an instant black flag. The wait line was too long and I needed to get back to my booth, so Nick did not get a chance to redeem himself. Sorry for that, Nick. Bret Voelkel climbed in (literally--he hates my cage) the next day and ran a 28.11

The Year One course is a little short, but very nicely laid out. Easy to navigate. And you can keep making runs all weekend FOR FREE if you so desire. I look forward to spending a lot of time their next year with my new Jake's Rod Shop Torque Arm rear suspension as well as fresh tires. That's if you can keep me off the road course. Road Atlanta is insanely cool. I only got to run in the afternoon session, but WOW!

Thanks to Air Ride for hosting and sponsoring the autocross program. We value Vin's autocross win far more than any car show trophy. Year One deserves a lot of credit for nurturing a true performance event where the typical "static" car show mentality takes a back seat to the smell of rubber and the thrills of speed and cornering. And their flawless hospitality is refreshing.

We'll be back.

[YancyJohns]

That's Awsome Vinnie,
My son loved your Camaro. I was glad to meet everyone on the board. Everyone was very nice and my son had the time of his life.....
Thanks, Everyone:bananna2:
That's what it's all about...

[JEFFTATE]

Awesome news. Congratulations Vinny for winning the autoX and congrats to Jake for what is fast becoming the most popular Pro-Touring car around. If you guys got any video of the festivities we'd love to see it. Year One is one of my dream events, I'd love to be able to make it one year.

And a secondary congratulations to THE KING. Jeff Tate is good people and I'm glad he got some accolades this weekend.

Thanks Tony.
When are you coming down to this event ?
Maybe next Year ?

[JEFFTATE]

Vinnie is my hero. Drives it like he stole it everywhere he goes. Congratulations Vin.

Also, Jeff, great job. Fun to watch that orange 69 making laps on the autocross.

Thanks Bill !
I wanna' drive your Vette' on an autocross one day.
They won't even let me test drive one at the Chevy Dealer I work at.
Sheesh ! Can you believe that ?

[Nine Ball]

Hey Vinnie,

I was going through my pics tonight, found one that you might like:

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=23748&stc=1&d=1211257011

Tony :cheers:

[Damn True]

They didn't require helmets on the road course?

[monza]

Great Shot!!

[Steve Chryssos]

They didn't require helmets on the road course?

Helmets were required for hot lapping. That photo might be from the magazine photo shoot or maybe parade laps. Vinnie took advantage of every possible lap and auto-X run that he could squeeze in. It was like he won some sort of roller coaster e-ticket ride. He just kept going back for more with no failures other than a broken hood primary latch (fixed) and some uncooperative valve cover breathers (rags & zip ties).

[Nine Ball]

Steve is correct, that photo was taken Sunday morning, during parade laps. Even though they were "parade laps", the guys were still out there hauling ass :)

[Posi12Bolt]

sounds like everyone had a blast... is there ever any events of this sort on THIS side of the country?

[protouring70]

Congrats to everyone that won!!!

And Jeff it looks like all that late night rushing paid off.

Vinn the Camaro looks GREAT!!!!!!!!!! And the sound is incredible!!!!

[Payton King]

It was a pleasure meeting you and your girlfriend. Y'all are a hoot! I hate I missed your winning run at the autocross. What was your time?

Steve,

I have video that my friend shot. Brief interview with Nick in your car and you in the passenger seat...then you (Nick) pull away and go off track on the first corner...black flag! Yep, got it all

Jeff,

What was your time?

[Steve Chryssos]

Steve,
I have video that my friend shot. Brief interview with Nick in your car and you in the passenger seat...then you (Nick) pull away and go off track on the first corner...black flag! Yep, got it all


Ah Hah....Secret video. Let's see it. Did you catch the off-course? Manual brakes are very good for auto-X because speeds are low, but loads are high, Brake boost can yield an "On/Off switch" reaction. So your leg becomes the brake booster. But you gotta get used to them or......:drive1:

[Steve Chryssos]

I can't tell you how refreshing it is to see our segment of the hobby thrive where the rubber meets the road. A few years ago there was a car with six or eight turbos and everyone was impressed. That looks pretty dumb now. The 335 tire was eclipsed by the 345 tire and there were cries for 365 tires. Dumb. That's false one-upmanship.

At Year One, there were maybe a half a dozen solid Year One Cup contenders. Very pretty cars. But the Year One Cup seemed almost irrelevant by comparison. The wait lines for the autocross were 50-75 cars deep most of the time. The event coordinators created an "overflow" waiting area to compensate. My car still smells like burnt rubber and--because of my booth display duty--I didn't get to push it nearly as hard as Jimbo, Jeff, Vinnie or dozens of cars like theirs. Those guys just kept going back for more.

Another example? I don't think DSE even turned off the ignition on the "Test Car" all weekend. There must be some new Employee Awareness program at DSE. You usually only see Kyle or Stacy driving. Last weekend, there was a different person behind the wheel every time I looked. The car ran non-stop--road course or auto-X. At the end of the event, Kyle and Stacy just hopped in and drove that poor little overworked car home to NC.

:cool:

[Payton King]

Not sure if you remember us talking to you just before you got on track. He got the conversation and he got the off track, the black flag and the "tail between his legs" exit off the course. I have the disc with me but I have not figure out how to load it on the computer. I will post it as soon as I do. I have a couple of passes of me on the autocross along with a few passes down the strip at Alanta Dragway.

I agree with you on the "rubber meets the road" thing. I was going to trailer my car down, it would go on the trailer because it was too low, so I drove from Charlotte to Year One, beat on it all weekend and drove it home with never a mishap. I think my car may have sat in the show area for maybe 2 hours for the 2 days that I was there. I went to the test and tune, autocross and made 3 parade laps if you can call it that..I was over 100 mph in a couple of spots.

I also reccommend LS motors to anyone. Mine makes 425 rwhp and I got 26 mpg at 1800 rpm running 75 mph on my trip home.

[trapin]

Thanks Tony.
When are you coming down to this event ?
Maybe next Year ?
This is getting to be another one of those "gotta see what all the fuss is about" events. I wouldn't want to go without my car though. If I get it done in time to work the bugs out and I feel it's road worthy (and I have a little money left over) I will be down there for sure. We'll see what happens.

[Damn True]

Mine makes 425 rwhp and I got 26 mpg at 1800 rpm running 75 mph on my trip home.

Combine that with the fact that we recycle entire cars and one starts to wonder who is really "going green", the hippies or the hot-rodders?

[Tyler Beauregard]

Nice work Vin!! I'm glad you were there to show what a stock frame with a good set of spindles is able to throw down.

Tyler

[JEFFTATE]

It was a pleasure meeting you and your girlfriend. Y'all are a hoot! I hate I missed your winning run at the autocross. What was your time?

Steve,

I have video that my friend shot. Brief interview with Nick in your car and you in the passenger seat...then you (Nick) pull away and go off track on the first corner...black flag! Yep, got it all

Jeff,

What was your time?

My best time was 28.25 on Saturday . ( That's the time that won 2nd place )

I ran a 27.76 on Sunday !

I've got the timeslips at home , I'm at work right now.
I'll check the timeslips when I get home.

[andrewb70]

......

Does anyone have a more bad-ass documented Pro-Touring car? .............

I have been pondering the same question, and to be honest, I can't think of any car and driver combination that has been able to achieve what Vinnie has done. Many cars have shined on either the drag strip or the road course. There have certainly been enough cars built in the past that were capable on paper. Perhaps the owners are just not willing to put such a huge investment on the line, which is totally understandable.

One car that will be interesting to watch in the near future is project "Splitter (https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35115)." Brett has already had great success at the drag strip and it will be great to see him put the car through its paces on the road course. Jeff Scwartz is building a couple of project that I know he will thrash.

If anyone else can think of other build that have performed at this level, please chime in.

Andrew

[Rybar]

Congrats Vinnie. Bad ass machine for sure. Looks like you guys have all the fun. :cheers:

[Steve Chryssos]

Nice work Vin!! I'm glad you were there to show what a stock frame with a good set of spindles is able to throw down.

Tyler


.....and rubbery springs full of air.

[Steve Chryssos]

.....

If anyone else can think of other build that have performed at this level, please chime in.

Andrew

They better burn the midnight oil, once the spray starts flowing, E.T's should drop into the nines. Is this a bad time to mention how well automatics and air suspension work in true multi-purpose, pro-touring hot rods? :scared:

[69rs]

Hey Vinnie,

I was going through my pics tonight, found one that you might like:

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=23748&stc=1&d=1211257011

Tony :cheers:

Great shot, Tony! Awesome car!

[neki67]

Is this a bad time to mention how well automatics and air suspension work in true multi-purpose, pro-touring hot rods?

You forget to mention the engine that by many on this forum is being regarded as a boat anchor. Proves it can still handle even with a BBC!

[TitoJones]

.....and rubbery springs full of air.

But the Air Ride camaro had all the same suspension on it save for the AFX spindle, and Vin was able to trump them at their own game with a heavier BBC in the nose too. I know Bret and his crew have far more hours driving in their cars than Vin has in his, so I have to say that Vin is one hell of a driver.
Air bags by themselves wouldn't have been able to do this, and Vin could have gone just as fast, if not faster, with a good steel spring/shock combo.
Without proper geometry, these cars would be plowing all over the place.

Tyler

[Steve Chryssos]

Thanks. I really need to scale Vin's car. I wouldn't be surprised if it weighs 3700lbs.

[BonzoHansen]

Man, I wish I could drive like Mary Pozzi! When the cones see me line up, they all take a step back to ensure their own personal safety. A few of them just lay down on their sides in anticipation of the inevitable.ROFLMAO.




I also reccommend LS motors to anyone. Mine makes 425 rwhp and I got 26 mpg at 1800 rpm running 75 mph on my trip home.Combine that with the fact that we recycle entire cars and one starts to wonder who is really "going green", the hippies or the hot-rodders?Indeed.

Y1 is on my list of places to go, along with RTTH. If I get this t56 thing worked out next year is a good possiblility.

[Nine Ball]

Vinnie took advantage of every possible lap and auto-X run that he could squeeze in. It was like he won some sort of roller coaster e-ticket ride.

The blue Camaro was rarely parked, that is for sure. I wonder how many barrels of race fuel he burned up this weekend? Hopefully his combo runs on normal pump-gas outside of a racing event. I did enjoy the smell of sweet cookies every time he drove by though!:twothumbs

[Steve Chryssos]

But the Air Ride camaro had all the same suspension on it save for the AFX spindle, and Vin was able to trump them at their own game with a heavier BBC in the nose too. I know Bret and his crew have far more hours driving in their cars than Vin has in his, so I have to say that Vin is one hell of a driver.
Air bags by themselves wouldn't have been able to do this, and Vin could have gone just as fast, if not faster, with a good steel spring/shock combo.
Without proper geometry, these cars would be plowing all over the place.

Tyler

This is starting to smell like a pissing match. Are you sure you want to go there with me? No, both Air Ride Camaros (black 2nd gen/orange 1st gen) ran faster than Vin but they were rightfully excluded from the Year One Air Ride Street Challenge competition as was DSE.

If Vin were a Twist employee instead of a paying customer, he would have been excluded from the competition as well. Air Ride specifically asked me if Vin was a Twist employee before giving him the win. I paused for a second--wondering why Peggy was asking that question--and then responded truthfully. Good thing I did. Vin has paid me for my time and effort.

As such, it was my decision to choose your spindles. I wouldn't run anyone else's spindle. I take every opportunity to encourage everyone else to do so as well. But guess what? Strike one for geometry. We just can't seem to get the right static camber setting when combining your spindles with their control arms. Leaned over, the combination yields positive camber. Set the camber right, and the car seems to drive funny on the street. Just look at any picture of Vinnie's car under load. Screw the geometry. This isn't a thread about geometry. This is a thread about winning. I guess this is a thread about winning despite geometry. Geometry is for squares ( and circles and triangles..get it?).

And yes, Vin is one hell of a driver. He would run quick even if we handed him the keys to a backhoe with the bucket in the air. Im pretty sure that backhoe's have lousy geometry. So the driver means more than anything. The only way for YOU to prove otherwise is by loading up, heading out, looking people in the eye, running faster than them and then loading up and making the long drive home. Posts about geometry mean ****.

There. Now its a pissing match.

[BonzoHansen]

I'd like to watch backhoe racing. :popcorn:

[andrewb70]

I'd like to watch backhoe racing. :popcorn:

Will this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gourYCpaJLU) work?

I am pretty sure they have poor geometry too!

Andrew

[Ron S]

Sorry I missed that one,that car just keeps getting better and better.Congrats Vin. Ron

[marolf101x]

First things first:
A big CONGRATULATIONS to Vin, not only for the autocross victory, but also for beating the snot out of a very nice car all weekend, and for being an extremely cool guy every time we see him! Vinnie is good people.
I would also like to congratulate Jeff "The King" Tate on his autocross prowess. Obviously Jeff has spent many a night in the garage since the RTTH autocross and his 69 showed it!


Just a little explanation to those who have not yet run at an Air Ride Technologies sponsored Autocross:
-All cars that pay an entry fee to the show are eligible to run the autocross for free.
-All cars must pass a simple tech inspection
-Seat belts are a MUST, but helmets are not (it may feel like you are going a buck-ten, but it's really closer to 35)
-Non DOT or "R" compound tires are not eligible for prizes (times will be kept for reference)
-At Year One we split into two groups: 1981 and older; 1982 and newer.
-At Goodguys events we split into two groups: 1954 and older (Street Rod); 1955 and newer (Street Machine).
-Vendor vehicles are excluded from prize eligibility (Air Ride Tech, DSE, Zoops, CPP, Twist Machine, etc.) We do keep times for the vendors and post them on the score board for the world to see. We also post them on our website: http://www.ridetech.com/more/2008/03/24/2007-costa-mesa-street-challenge-autocross-results/
(Year One results should be up as soon as we receive the results from the Skip Barber employees who timed the event.)
-Events are timed by either a local SCCA club, an SCCA representative (when a local club is not available), or facility supplied staff (like at Road Atlanta the Skip Barber instructors timed the event)
-Magazine Editors have their own class, and most of the time we give a donation to the winners' charity of choice.
-more can be seen here: http://www.ridetech.com/more/what-is-autocross/

-Britt-

[jknight16]

Will this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gourYCpaJLU) work?

I am pretty sure they have poor geometry too!

Andrew

God I love that show, cracks me up every time.

[CRCRFT78]

MOTORHOME RACING!!:rotfl: That was great.

[Steve1968LS2]

Congrats on the win Vinnie!

Shooting your car was a no brainer.. It's too cool

Look for a full feature on Vin's Camaro in an upcomming issue of Camaro Performers Magazine.. which you can subscribe to now :D

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[esscott]

I'll jump in and say congrats too. I also got a few shots of the cars in action:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/05/IMG_4157-1.jpg

Click here for a few more (http://www.ridetech.com/more/2008/05/20/yearone-experience-street-challenge-winners/)

[eville]

Will this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gourYCpaJLU) work?

I am pretty sure they have poor geometry too!

Andrew

I don't remember the last time I laughed that hard!

[Damn True]

Thanks. I really need to scale Vin's car. I wouldn't be surprised if it weighs 3700lbs.

That much?

Zoiks! :eek:

What does yours weigh?

[Bill Howell]

But the Air Ride camaro had all the same suspension on it save for the AFX spindle, and Vin was able to trump them at their own game with a heavier BBC in the nose too. I know Bret and his crew have far more hours driving in their cars than Vin has in his, so I have to say that Vin is one hell of a driver.
Air bags by themselves wouldn't have been able to do this, and Vin could have gone just as fast, if not faster, with a good steel spring/shock combo.
Without proper geometry, these cars would be plowing all over the place.

Tyler

Actually, not exactly true. AirRide, DSE and other Vendors were in a different class and their times did not compete with participants. The new V camaro turned a 26.78. Just to clear that up.

EDIT: OOPS, sorry, I didn't get to Steve's explaination before posting this.

[Vinz68]

Wow! We just got home at 8:30 tonight. We stayed an extra day and relaxed a bit.
I had the best time, I can't wait to see everyone again at RTTH!!
Thank you Year-One for the event and thanks Air-Ride for sponsoring the event.
Steve Rupp, thank you so much for the photo shoot. It was real cool to experiance. You are an absolute perfectionist,and it was awesome to watch you work. Thanks

Tony and Scott, Thanks the pics are great.
Hey Bill , one day I hope to have as many cars as you...

[Bill Howell]

LOL, one day I hope to have one as fast as yours.:cheers:

[Steve1968LS2]

But the Air Ride camaro had all the same suspension on it save for the AFX spindle, and Vin was able to trump them at their own game with a heavier BBC in the nose too. I know Bret and his crew have far more hours driving in their cars than Vin has in his, so I have to say that Vin is one hell of a driver.
Air bags by themselves wouldn't have been able to do this, and Vin could have gone just as fast, if not faster, with a good steel spring/shock combo.
Without proper geometry, these cars would be plowing all over the place.

Tyler

As stated, both the regular Air Ride cars and the DSE car turned in faster times. Although I'm pretty sure Vin would kill them on the drag strip.

The ART Chevelle won the RTTH3 event and it had a big block... I would be curious to see the ART Chevelle throw down against Vinnie's Camaro. Now that would be fun.. and they're both blue. lol

[Vinz68]

Peyton, it was great meeting you. Your car is killer!! Definatly one of favorites. wish my car got that kinda gas milage, I filled my tank 3 times with sunoco race gas . I think I get like 2 miles per gallon...lol

[Vinz68]

Nice work Vin!! I'm glad you were there to show what a stock frame with a good set of spindles is able to throw down.

Tyler
Thanks Tyler

[Vinz68]

I have some in car video from the hot laps, and video from the autocross. I have to get it over to Steve , I can't figure out how to upload video. I'm awful with computers:pat:

[BonzoHansen]

Will this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gourYCpaJLU) work?

I am pretty sure they have poor geometry too!

Andrew
LOL. Drive it home.

Little immigrant song helps too :)

[Steve1968LS2]

Steve Rupp, thank you so much for the photo shoot. It was real cool to experiance. You are an absolute perfectionist,and it was awesome to watch you work. Thanks

Tony and Scott, Thanks the pics are great.
Hey Bill , one day I hope to have as many cars as you...

No problem Vinnie.. it was a pleasure to shoot such a killer ride.

I just edited down my shoot to my best shots.. unfortunatly there are 28 killer shots and I only have room for 18 or so. You car just has too many tasty things to take pictures of. lol

The story will be titled "BEAT DOWN"... seem appropriate... lol

[RSX302]

Bad A$$ ride Vinnie!!!! Congrats

Seeing your car out on the track keeps me motivated.
I keep dreaming of the day I actually get my car out on the track. Soon! very soon...

[andrewb70]

I don't remember the last time I laughed that hard!

I laugh out loud every time I watch that episode. Sorry for the thread hijacking, but a little comic relief was in order.

Andrew

[vanzuuk1]

You guys work hard and have the right attitude, I am glad it paid off. I love both cars.

Cant wait to see all the new york cars together at an event.

[ProdigyCustoms]

So I just saw the times and Jeff Tate was within 4/100ths. What the hell happened to that thing Jeff since RTHs anyway? We all knew Vinny could drive and the car hauls ass. Tell us your secret Jeff.

[Steve Chryssos]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/05/IMG_4157-1.jpg

There's that Air Ride/ATS camber issue. Regardless, I wouldn't run anything BUT ATS spindles. We also welded in the G-Bar in anticipation of quick E.T.'s and reinforced the front shock towers due to NY's crater like potholes. That's what hot rodders do. They take off the shelf parts and make them their own. I encourage everyone to make these post-purchase mods and Vinnie's car proves that Air Ride works in the real world. We'll keep driving home the point (literally) to make sure no one forgets.

[Steve Chryssos]

That much?

Zoiks! :eek:

What does yours weigh?

Last I weighed it, the car was 3150. I have since added floor insulation. door glass, wipers, and a stereo, so 3250?....

[JEFFTATE]

So I just saw the times and Jeff Tate was within 4/100ths. What the hell happened to that thing Jeff since RTHs anyway? We all knew Vinny could drive and the car hauls ass. Tell us your secret Jeff.

Uhhh.....
I think I just got lucky.

No really , I put a rear anti-roll bar on the car.
That's it ! An inexpensive $ 140 Herb Adams rear anti-roll bar.
That gave me a little less understeer.
Plus , I tried to drive more smoothly ,........Really.
I'm bad about stomping on the brake while turning in and sliding the front tires across the pavement.
So I tried like hell not to do that.
I read a book about race driving too("SPEED SECRETS" )

The aforementioned late night thrashing was actually body / sheetmetal / rust repair.
And I put a new windshield in the car.
I was tired of looking through a sandpitted cracked windshield.

[andrewb70]

Uhhh.....
I think I just got lucky.

No really , I put a rear anti-roll bar on the car.
That's it ! An inexpensive $ 140 Herb Adams rear anti-roll bar.
That gave me a little less understeer.
Plus , I tried to drive more smoothly ,........Really.
I'm bad about stomping on the brake and sliding the front tires across the pavement.
So I tried like hell not to do that.
I read a book about race driving too("SPEED SECRETS" )

The aforementioned late night thrashing was actually body / sheetmetal / rust repair.
And I put a new windshield in the car.
I was tired of looking through a sandpitted cracked windshield.

Jeff,

Congratulations. I think you proves that it's possible to go fast without breaking the budget.

Andrew

[ProdigyCustoms]

Very, very impressive my friend. And Luck had nothing to do with it from what I am hearing. Good homework sounds more like it.

[hotrdblder]

on vinnys fast lap he had a penelty added to his time for one cone. vinny ran only 3 laps as there was a huge line. first lap was learning course, 2nd he spun out 3rd i believe he ran a 26.49 or 26.59 but hit a cone so they added in a penelty.

[PARKERRS]

Jeff was running street tires with a 300 tread wear rating also compared to Vin's Toyo R888's, so I was impressed to say the least. Congratulations guys!
Tommy

[JEFFTATE]

Very, very impressive my friend. And Luck had nothing to do with it from what I am hearing. Good homework sounds more like it.

Thanks Frank !

[JEFFTATE]

Jeff was running street tires with a 300 tread wear rating also compared to Vin's Toyo R888's, so I was impressed to say the least. Congratulations guys!
Tommy

Actually , I must thank Tommy Parkers' son for riding with me when I ran my quickest time for the weekend.
He's a nice young man. He inspired me and brought me luck.

And Susans' son rode with me when I ran the time that got me second place.

And my tires actually have a 400 treadwear rating.
( Hard as a rock Pirelli P-zero Neros )

There's no comparing my car to Vin's , That car of his is awesome.
I am humbled in his presence.

[69Nova]

And my tires actually have a 400 treadwear rating.
( Hard as a rock Pirelli P-zero Neros )

Thats crazy! Guess I need to buy that Speed Secrets book you mentioned. LOL

[trapin]

Jeff, knowing a regular guy like you with a regular car can go out to one of these events and make some noise is an inspiration to us all. It makes me want to take my car down there when I'm done and race it.

[67SSDan]

Holy crap, that's awesome! Elvis lives at the Auto-X!!

Congrats guys! Can't wait till RTTH, should make some good talking points.

Dan

[yellowrallys]

Here is a shot of me trying to get a few driving tips from one of the resident "hot shoes". I just can't keep up.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/05/IMG_2679-1.jpg

[Desert68]

I encourage everyone to make these post-purchase mods and Vinnie's car proves that Air Ride works in the real world. We'll keep driving home the point (literally) to make sure no one forgets.

I do not want to hijack a thread and I am not trying to stir up any trouble, but I have what I feel is a legitimate question. Why do you not see high-end, supercar builders (Ferrari, Lambo, etc) or race cars builders (IRL, ALMS, etc) use 'air bag' suspension designs? I apologize in advance if this should be a separate thread.

[Steve Chryssos]

Not at all. Air suspension is definitely a hot rodding trick. Vin's car is versatile, because the air suspension is easily adjustable. You can auto-cross it at installed height. Then yank the 18" x 30 series wheels/tires, jack the air pressure to make room for the tall drag slicks, pre-load the right rear bag, dump the air in the front bags and then click off a mid 10 second E.T.
When that's all said and done, you can park it at a show dumped and then cruise home with very comfortable ride height.

Air suspension is most definitely not the only game in town. But no one can argue it's versatility across the entire spectrum of pro-touring mojo. The car can be made to handle better on metal springs and road race specific suspension geometry. But think how much work would be involved to achieve that mid 10 second E.T. It's by no means impossible, but Vinnie accomplished all of the above, by only turning lug nuts and pushing buttons. With metal springs, what would the sacrifice be to drag strip performance or other environments?

My personal car has metal springs. Always has, always will. I'm not gonna tear my done car apart to make room for Shockwaves. I used to personally crap all over air suspension myself. I watched the Air Ride cars run at RTH2. That provided enough impetus to have me try it out on Vin's car. 18 months later, the car's overall documented performance speaks for itself. The technology might not be viable for a production Ferrari, but for a true multi-purpose hot rod, suspension should be given strong consideration.

Detractors should prove otherwise by bringing out actual running cars for comparison across the entire spectrum. If that's not possible, then they should just sit there, tap their feet and stew in silence. :squint:

[Desert68]

Air suspension is most definitely not the only game in town. But no one can argue it's versatility across the entire spectrum of pro-touring mojo. The car can be made to handle better on metal springs and road race specific suspension geometry. But think how much work would be involved to achieve that mid 10 second E.T. It's by no means impossible, but Vinnie accomplished all of the above, by only turning lug nuts and pushing buttons. With metal springs, what would the sacrifice be to drag strip performance or other environments?


Thank you for taking the time to answer my question in detail. I've seen the setup on TV and I've seen it in magazines, but you answered the one question I had in my mind. A good balance.

[Prejudice alert] Consider a setup for (pre-batwing) C3 Corvettes, then float the idea over at corvetteforum.com

[Edit] It might be the packaging space for the rear, but any coilover/whatever setup I've seen for the rear seems like a rather big compromise.

[TonyL]

actually there are plans for some exotics to use air adjustable springs in the future. It's all about the controllers and settings. Simply put, air systems are expensive, and parts do wear out. So amplify that factor in an exotic car, and you have a cost prohibitive system that creates many headaches for a manufacturer.

However, that being said, There have been some high end cars with air ride, and they were world class for the time.
Case in point.
nwnp5DyTkPI

[dylanCamaro582]

I don't wan t to be off topic, but i have a Mark VIII, and it a pretty good car except when the air bag decide not to fill up and leave my front end on the ground. I have not felt the car lower itsefl at higher speed, only when parked. AS a note too, i have not done any track days or auto-x with it, so it can't say how it handles in a high perfromance setting nor have i driven many perfromance cars beside my dad's miata for a short while.

Vinnie, you '68 is wicked!and congrats on the win. makes me want to put an ART system in to any for my future projects.

[nickdoe6]

Not sure if you remember us talking to you just before you got on track. He got the conversation and he got the off track, the black flag and the "tail between his legs" exit off the course. I have the disc with me but I have not figure out how to load it on the computer. I will post it as soon as I do. I have a couple of passes of me on the autocross along with a few passes down the strip at Alanta Dragway.

I agree with you on the "rubber meets the road" thing. I was going to trailer my car down, it would go on the trailer because it was too low, so I drove from Charlotte to Year One, beat on it all weekend and drove it home with never a mishap. I think my car may have sat in the show area for maybe 2 hours for the 2 days that I was there. I went to the test and tune, autocross and made 3 parade laps if you can call it that..I was over 100 mph in a couple of spots.

I also reccommend LS motors to anyone. Mine makes 425 rwhp and I got 26 mpg at 1800 rpm running 75 mph on my trip home.
Hey Payton,
Send me the original video. I know exactly what to do with it. Hehehe.
I'll be sure it makes it online...I promise. No, reeeely.

1.5 laps might be a new record for getting black flagged. Leave it to me set that standard. I'll have to redeem myself at GG Columbus.

It's like I told Steve -- His car takes 150 lbs of brake pressue to stop it, but I only weigh 135 lbs. I'll have to do some leg presses before I hop in that hot rod again.

I still had a great time...at least for 30 or so seconds.

Nick L.

[Vinz68]

It's like I told Steve -- His car takes 150 lbs of brake pressue to stop it, but I only weigh 135 lbs. I'll have to do some leg presses before I hop in that hot rod again.

I still had a great time...at least for 30 or so seconds.

Nick L.
Next time you can take mine for a ride. :jump:

[nickdoe6]

Next time you can take mine for a ride. :jump:

Vin,
I appreciate the offer, but I might wait until my car is done. This way I won't have to keep buying my way out of video of me in the grass.
I'm going broke here.

Nick L.

[Steve1968LS2]

Vin,
I appreciate the offer, but I might wait until my car is done. This way I won't have to keep buying my way out of video of me in the grass.
I'm going broke here.

Nick L.

You'll still be in the grass... just in your own car..

[nickdoe6]

You'll still be in the grass... just in your own car..
Ya but only with three wheels, so I won't get the ol' black flag. I'll get to keep on runnin'.

Nick

[Payton King]

Pm me an address and I will send you the disc. I have a few other runs on there as well. If you can get them hosted or on you tube that would be great.

I am with you on the leg pressure. I am about a week away of changing the ratio on my brake pedal as it takes a little over 100 lbs of force to generate 1000 psi on the front and 800 in the rear.

[comp-spec]

Ya but only with three wheels, so I won't get the ol' black flag. I'll get to keep on runnin'.

Nick

Nick, I hope we get to see all 4 wheels in the grass at least once

[Steve1968LS2]

Nick, I hope we get to see all 4 wheels in the grass at least once

Oh, you can bet money on that.. :rotfl:

[nickdoe6]

Nick, I hope we get to see all 4 wheels in the grass at least once

Sorry guys,
My 4X4 days are over. It's all asphalt from here on out.

Nick (Black Flag) Licata

[youthpastor]

Vinnie is my hero. Drives it like he stole it everywhere he goes. Congratulations Vin.

YEP. still my fav. youtube video of..watching you softpedal that thing around the cones is awesome. way to go- Chris

[Tony@AirRideTech]

I do not want to hijack a thread and I am not trying to stir up any trouble, but I have what I feel is a legitimate question. Why do you not see high-end, supercar builders (Ferrari, Lambo, etc) or race cars builders (IRL, ALMS, etc) use 'air bag' suspension designs? I apologize in advance if this should be a separate thread.

Actually... the SSC which now holds the record for the fastest production car does use airsprings for height adjustments on some models and we have been in talks of developing some Penske equipped units.... the main reason I would say they have stayed away to this point was for the lack of developement especially in the control systems...... that is rapidly changing though :)