Some pics from the Optima Challenge [Archive]

Nine Ball

11-10-2008, 07:22 AM

I took several more photos, but here is a sample to enjoy:

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And, for the Grand Finale, here is Steve Rupp driving a vehicle! He may not have piloted Bad Penny, but he was a monster behind the wheel of this bad boy. That is Mary Pozzi riding shotgun, giving him the lessons on the autocross.

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Congrats on the win Steve, Mary, & David!

Tony

Steve1968LS2

11-10-2008, 07:34 AM

Yea, she sure is bossy!

Sucked having to work... I was going to take Penny around the auto-x during the "fun laps" but by the time I was done fixing the oil problem (ie, putting a new diaper on the breather) it was over :(

Next year I'm taking the day off work and contributing to the driving more. I'm sure that (even if I work in more practice time) my times won't help the score it will be more fun than clicking a shutter all day. lol

paulk68

11-10-2008, 07:55 AM

Awesome pics thank you, and Steve congratulations

WILWAXU

11-10-2008, 08:17 AM

Here's my photo's from the event. Did more watching than picture taking once the cars started rolling :cool:
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1offwizard

11-10-2008, 08:36 AM

Nice pics! So how did that Black 2nd gen with the big wheels do?

compos mentis

11-10-2008, 08:49 AM

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Anybody know the story on this car?

Thanks.

Nine Ball

11-10-2008, 09:10 AM

The blue 68 was featured in PHR, it has a twin-turbo Ford 302ci in it.

compos mentis

11-10-2008, 09:23 AM

The blue 68 was featured in PHR, it has a twin-turbo Ford 302ci in it.

Thanks Tony.

Now I remember why I lost interest in that feature article. lol

Damn True

11-10-2008, 09:29 AM

The blue 68 was featured in PHR, it has a twin-turbo Ford 302ci in it.

I love LOVE LOVE the reactions people have to that car!

Makes me want to build a hemi Dart clone with a turbo ecotec in it.

protour73

11-10-2008, 09:30 AM

The blue 68 was featured in PHR, it has a twin-turbo Ford 302ci in it.

isn't that illegal in most states?......if not, at the very least - highly blasphemous :box2:

KrisHorton

11-10-2008, 09:49 AM

compos mentis

11-10-2008, 10:13 AM

No need to defend him IMHO. :)

The combo doesn't interest me and a lot of others, but since its his car, his motor and his money...

RSX302

11-10-2008, 10:34 AM

In Ron's defense, I believe the story went a little more like: he had invested in the Ford powerplant and THEN decided that he was going to build a Camaro. I know it's easy to say "then sell the Ford motor and buy a GM _______" but I think it's cool that he stuck to his guns and did something very unique.

That is correct...
I was originally building this motor to go into a 93 Mustang. After offing the Mustang and buying the Camaro, I was looking into an all aluminum Chevy big block. As I looked at the Ford more and more, we said screw it...lets do it! I've had a blast with it ever since. The only thing I fear is that if and when I go to sell it, buyers might be scarce. If that’s the case, doing an engine swap might be in order. Never know?

RSX302

11-10-2008, 10:44 AM

No need to defend him IMHO. :)

The combo doesn't interest me and a lot of others, but since its his car, his motor and his money...

This is one reason why I did it. I'm not bias as to what engines are in cars. I know there are a lot of dedicated enthusiasts that only like a specific brand or Chevy in Chevy, Ford in Ford. No matter the set-up, I look at the quality that it was done. Never know, RSx may get changed to something else wild in the future.

In the mean time I love standing back and watching the reactions...

It's all good!!!

skatinjay27

11-10-2008, 11:17 AM

lol yet another one who loves the reaction that rons car gets!!!
its a kick ass car with a killer look and sound!!!
lets see your car get down like rons:hammer: on the track off the track or even on the dirt next to the track! lol
im sure that gm crate makes just as much power:rolleyes:

4OfaKind

11-10-2008, 12:02 PM

This is one reason why I did it. I'm not bias as to what engines are in cars. I know there are a lot of dedicated enthusiasts that only like a specific brand or Chevy in Chevy, Ford in Ford. No matter the set-up, I look at the quality that it was done. Never know, RSx may get changed to something else wild in the future.

In the mean time I love standing back and watching the reactions...

It's all good!!!

Ron

It was great meeting you at the event. That car is gorgeous in person, but is nothing compared to the way it sounds at full throttle. And my daughter really loved it too.

I am amazed that alot of the cars other than Big Red had full interirors and weighed an excess of 3k lbs. There is hope for my four door next year! :naughty:

Mal

Payton King

11-10-2008, 12:36 PM

RSX302

11-10-2008, 01:55 PM

I love the car...an absolute stunner. the paint scheme is the best.

How did you lioke the turbo on the track. I had heard they heat up pretty quickly doing a track day. Was that your expirence? Was it hard modulating the power?

Thanks Payton

The turbos performed flawlessly. With the 9.5:1 302, it has virtually no turbo lag. Just solid power. You just need to know when is a good time to lift as noted by my off road event.:hand:

Oil temps were a little high due to the fact I didn't have a cooler. Otherwise all temps were good.

Steve1968LS2

11-10-2008, 02:05 PM

Thanks Tony.

Now I remember why I lost interest in that feature article. lol

Actually I like the car more because of the Ford engine.. nice to see something different.

And it hauls ass...

RSX302

11-10-2008, 02:13 PM

Ron

It was great meeting you at the event. That car is gorgeous in person, but is nothing compared to the way it sounds at full throttle. And my daughter really loved it too.

I am amazed that alot of the cars other than Big Red had full interirors and weighed an excess of 3k lbs. There is hope for my four door next year! :naughty:

Mal

Ditto!!!

I weighed my car in at 3650 without me in it. I felt that on the track big time!

John McIntire

11-10-2008, 02:14 PM

I think the car is great, and I'm a die hard bowtie guy! I think its cool to see something different, and that it is. Heck I even loved that Camaro with the supra engine in it, to a degree.
Anyone remember the PHR articles of the Mustang with the LS conversion? I thought that was cool too! That was a great combo that hauled ass! I'm all for seeing different stuff and I give these guys kudo's for doing it!

John McIntire

11-10-2008, 02:15 PM

on a side note, does anyone have any info on that mint green chevelle?

hotrdblder

11-10-2008, 02:31 PM

its roadster shops shop car, ls7, there full chassis etc, really cool car

Nine Ball

11-10-2008, 03:13 PM

Ditto!!!

I weighed my car in at 3650 without me in it. I felt that on the track big time!

You could definitely tell your car was heavy during the autocross. It was very sluggish to recover from each turn made. Not much body roll, it just didn't react to driver input as quickly as some of the lighter cars. Less nimble, I suppose.

DJW32

11-10-2008, 03:38 PM

Tony,
You took some good pictures.

I was also at that event...I would have said hello...but I have no idea what you look like.

Who was driving the GT3? He was a damn good driver.

WILWAXU

11-10-2008, 05:54 PM

Tony,
You took some good pictures.

I was also at that event...I would have said hello...but I have no idea what you look like.

Who was driving the GT3? He was a damn good driver.Hot shoe brought out just for the event. He said that he raced a '70's 911 of his own most weekends.
I got an e-ticket ride through the cones with him :headbang:

Steve1968LS2

11-10-2008, 06:38 PM

Ditto!!!

I weighed my car in at 3650 without me in it. I felt that on the track big time!

Yea, I definetly had a weight advantage.. I think I was the lightest Camaro at the event. My weight was 3192 without me and with half a tank of gas.

All the other ones we weighed at ATS were 3,500+

Still love your car though!

RSX302

11-10-2008, 06:57 PM

You could definitely tell your car was heavy during the autocross. It was very sluggish to recover from each turn made. Not much body roll, it just didn't react to driver input as quickly as some of the lighter cars. Less nimble, I suppose.

Yep...The price one pays for all the extra stuff that loads you down. (A/C, Sound System, Sound Mat, Turbo's, Intercooler) On the nose alone is about 400 lbs more then Steve's. Yes its a small block 302, but a heavy duty cast iron Ford R-Block. The turbo's with manifolds are 70 lbs each not to mention the tubing and intercooler weight. It all adds up doesn't it. If all you do is road race, you can't be too lite. As for the street it's very comfortable, rockin tunes and can beat the snot out of damn near everything that goes against. My perfect ride. Even if it is a little porky...

zbugger

11-10-2008, 07:11 PM

RSX302

11-10-2008, 09:01 PM

Ron gave me a ride in his car once and it was one of the best ride's I've ever gone on. I'm very happy that he was able to make the event. Ron, I think the engine is what really makes your car. And it's clean to boot. I can't wait to one day go back down there for another ride.

Allen, It's a lot faster since you've been in it. Worked out all the tuning, head work done by Wegner Automotive and increased compression. I think you'd be suprized.

From a previous theads about top speed down the back straight.
I didn't look down at the speed-o at the end of the back straight, but short shifting thru the gears into mid 4th is about 130ish. I know I could have hit top of 4th which is about 145 if I would have shifted at 8K. I didn't need another off track excursion. :doh: lol!

Steve1968LS2

11-10-2008, 10:23 PM

Hell, it was fast before.. I can only imagine it now.. Should have bumed a ride ;)

zbugger

11-10-2008, 10:37 PM

lol... It was only 5 psi of boost when I went for a ride and I think it still had a lean spot over 5k rpm if I remember right. And it was damn fast anyway. Faster? Sounds like a ton of fun. I still remember being sideways looking at that sign post with the power pole behind it. lol... That was just pure entertainment.