Ultimate Street Car Association - 2014 rules

[USCA 1]

The 2014 rules for the Ultimate Street Car Association (USCA) are posted at http://ultimatestreetcarassociation.com/usca-rules/

Our rules are constructed to:

• Emphasize safety, education and fun
• Highlight real street cars
• Encourage participation for all skill levels
• Provide a consistent event format

​We realize that the rules will not please everyone - in fact, they may not please a lot of people. We have utilized our co-founders extensive professional event knowledge and experience (over 50 years), along with that of our master level sponsors and others, both within and outside of the industry, to create a ruleset that focuses on safety, organization, real street cars, and a fun and inviting spirit of performance street car gatherings. Our goal is to provide world-class performance street car events to owners of all years, makes and models and of all skill levels from beginner to expert.

If you have questions regarding the 2014 rules, please email me, Jimi Day - Co-founder, at [email protected].

[James OLC]

Great job Jimi! You folks had an unenviable task and, in my humble opinion, came up with a set of rules that finds a great balance. I really like the solution to the "series" aspect and I for one look forward to seeing you in Laguna in a few months!

[BMR Sales]

Dang, it looks like my car is out as I've modified it too much - I removed the Side Glass & my Windshield is Lexan!

T.C.

[James OLC]

The way I read it you're not out... You simply give up 2 of 25 possible points in the design class.

[dontlifttoshift]

and have a factory affixed OE manufacturer production tag or plate. The USCA does not allow kit cars, modern reproductions, or other vehicles that were not issued or do not have a factory affixed OE manufacturer production tag or plate.

That is written pretty clearly but I just want to be sure because the way I read this all Factory Five cars are out, as are Dynacorn, there are many more examples but that covers a majority of them. I don't beleive that is the intent of the rule but that is how I interpret it.

[howehot]

I'm in, I'm ready, and winter sucks in Iowa. That's all I'm going to say about that!

[GrabberGT]

Too bad this came out AFTER Christmas. I need to contact Santa to see if I can add a neck restraint, driving shoes, and gloves retroactively.

[USCA 1]

That is written pretty clearly but I just want to be sure because the way I read this all Factory Five cars are out, as are Dynacorn, there are many more examples but that covers a majority of them. I don't beleive that is the intent of the rule but that is how I interpret it.

Donny, our goal is to find a way to get participants in. That being said, our focus is real street driven cars that are licensed and registered to drive on the street. If anyone has a question about whether a particular car is eligible for the event, please email me and we will make a determination.

[USCA 1]

Too bad this came out AFTER Christmas. I need to contact Santa to see if I can add a neck restraint, driving shoes, and gloves retroactively.

LOL! Chris, there are lots of great after-christmas sales.

[Cams-DK]

Donny, our goal is to find a way to get participants in. That being said, our focus is real street driven cars that are licensed and registered to drive on the street. If anyone has a question about whether a particular car is eligible for the event, please email me and we will make a determination.

Looks like the Lincoln town car is in

[racecarman]

Well just my two cents, if your going to make rules you should put all rules in black and white - what defines a race car or a street car? The answer should be in print not left up to a group to decide, that's just opening up a can of worms. Does a fab stub or frame make it a race car or fab floors or firewall or is it ok if you have a $10,000.00 interior covering it? anything without a stock frame and floors under it should be and I quote "scrutinized before entry"!

[ZMANSZR1]

Jim,
I totally agree that a set of rules is in order here, as the sport grows and evolves. my concerns are these.

What will determine a street car as opposed to a race car ? This one should be more defined as many of us are building cars for these events. As a spectator during many of your 2013 events, I walked around and looked closely at many of your cars, and asked many participants and event personal about the vehicles and the rules.I was told that if it was licensed and insured, and could be driven on the road rally we would be good. Looking around the pits, I see many of your competitors cars that will not meet the criteria in your rules. Am I reading something wrong here? Will the big dollar cars, with aftermarket lightweight body panels and fabricated frames be sent home ?

The rules in my opinion need to be defined in writing not by the body's discretion after someone spent $50,000 building a car to compete with the corporate "street cars" that have $ 10,000 ABS/traction control systems, $8,000 in instrumentation, and fabricated sub frames. When does a street car become a race car ???

I have been involved in racing my whole adult life, and when rules are left open for review or left to discretion, inevitably somebody's feelings are going to get hurt.

I address these concerns as a fan of the sport first, then as a current competitor who is thinking of what to do next with the car that is under construction for the 2014 season.

Sincerely,

Scott Zeman
[email protected]

[Cams-DK]

Well just my two cents, if your going to make rules you should put all rules in black and white - what defines a race car or a street car? The answer should be in print not left up to a group to decide, that's just opening up a can of worms. Does a fab stub or frame make it a race car or fab floors or firewall or is it ok if you have a $10,000.00 interior covering it? anything without a stock frame and floors under it should be and I quote "scrutinized before entry"!

Why do we try to re-invent the wheel it's racing a race car is a race car. Best and fastest car wins the race. If the car is on a race track and racing it is a race car. The GG 's rules seem to be the best out there so just follow them and let's race.

[Dusold]

I don't think it will ever be possible to draw a line between race cars and street cars no matter how hard we try. The answer is subjective, what one person thinks is fine and would drive daily is totally unacceptable to someone else. I agree with the road rally concept as well as what good guys has done so far. At the end of the day the best drivers will have the best chance of winning events anyway.
I am really looking forward to the Texas event. It sounds like this is going to be a ton of fun!!

[racecarman]

Why do we try to re-invent the wheel it's racing a race car is a race car. Best and fastest car wins the race. If the car is on a race track and racing it is a race car. The GG 's rules seem to be the best out there so just follow them and let's race.

Well DK I'm all about the- Best and fastest car wins the race! I was building what I thought was a serious run what ya brung street car. But when they start limiting the run what ya brung event they need to clarify the rules, these cars cost ALOT of money and to show up at a event thinking that you have a chance of winning and a group decides that you brought a race car there, well that's no good for anyone! If they want restored cars there with big tires I'm ok with that, but does a car that's all chopped up have a right to race against a car with a stock frame? in all fairness no..... Maybe there should be a crank height rule and or a ride height or engine setback rule, Don't just run me over a speed bump to see if my car drags. I agree there is a need to address safety and I think that's a great thing, but the car rules need to be a little more clear. I'm just asking for the rules, give me them and ill build a car to compete.

[Project92rs]

The bigger problem with street vs race car is the definition is subjective based on where you live when you factor in emissions and inspection requirements. Things that I could easily do in Kansas are not possible in Phoenix where I have to put the car on the rollers for an emissions test.

[ZMANSZR1]

Just a quick thought to ponder....... Has anyone considered an unlimited class ? Cars that are competing with stock suspension and a stock frame or stub, don't stand a chance against the aftermarket stub or complete aftermarket frames that utilize Corvette suspension and geometry.
An unlimited class would allow those without a $150,000 a year budget to compete for a chance at a win.

[Finch]

I think everyone needs to not be so quick to judge these rules or start listing out all the scenario's that can fall into the grey areas. For the most part these are similar to the rules followed as part of OUSCI with an increased focus on safety which we can all agree with.

The biggest improvement to the rules that I see, is around the design style portion. This was always very subjective and a conversation for the water cooler after every event. The changes they have made to narrow the style portion down to only a 10 point spread is a great step forward so I applaud Jimi and the team for that. The other 15 points in this segment are black and white and you can choose to get them or not.

As the events progress, they will adjust as needed so patience is key.

[James OLC]

Just a quick thought to ponder....... Has anyone considered an unlimited class ? Cars that are competing with stock suspension and a stock frame or stub, don't stand a chance against the aftermarket stub or complete aftermarket frames that utilize Corvette suspension and geometry.
An unlimited class would allow those without a $150,000 a year budget to compete for a chance at a win.

I beg to differ - a well set up stock subframe and/or leaf spring suspension is more than capable of competing with 95% of the cars at any given event.

And well said Brian - I think that a great effort was made to create a set of rules that was as inclusive as possible. If I was going to look for anything different I would have made the weight break a bit higher at 3250 pounds but that's really picking at nits. As far as making a bunch if classes to give everyone a shot at winning their class where do you stop? This is the Ultimate Street Car Series - not the World of Wheels.

[NOT A TA]

An unlimited class might also be a catch all (that increases entries) by allowing those of us who don't fit within the current rules to go out and play even if we know we won't win an unlimited class.