RTH2 Results Are In!

[Steve Chryssos]

The Pro-Touring.com Run Thru The Hills 2 event, brought to you by MuscleRides.com is now complete. The event included the following activities:
FRIDAY ACTIVITES
-Cruise through the great Smoky Mountains
-Southern style BBQ: Mainstay Suites
SATURDAY ACTIVITIES
-1/8 mile Drag Racing: 411 Dragway
SUNDAY ACTIVITIES
-Auto-X from Hell: 411 Speedway. This turned out to be the standout event of the weekend. The course was laid out on an actual track surface (not a dusty parking lot) with banked turns, high speed straightaways and cones set up to create gates, chicanes and hairpins throughout the track including the figure 8 infield. Overall length is "'oh 'bout a mile" (That's southern for "we're not exactly sure") The course doubles back over itself. Add in the infield sections and you can figure on 3/4 mile minimum. Here are the results:

MuscleRides.com Cruise and BBQ
While the typical Fall Grand Run cruisers were content to idle along in traffic, we headed up into the Smokies for some real driving on mountain roads. 57 cars started. 55 cars finished. Speeds were low due to the car count. So to avoid creating our own traffic jam, we broke up into groups . Scenery and roads were breathtaking to say the least. The two cars that "broke" failed right at the start of the cruise (in the parking lot), so there was no drama. Back at the hotel we jammed up the parking lot and then stuffed our faces. There was cake, too.

GPSuperStore.com Fastest Street Car Award
Conditions started out poor with dense fog. Surface was slick throughout the day. We also managed to blow up the 'cuda on it's second run. It did manage an 8.80 off the trailer, though. The 'cuda and Prodigy both suffered blown differentials on a side by side run. Rules dictated that the winner complete the Friday cruise and drive to the track under it's own power. Tire changes were permitted. Frank Serafine had a fastest run at 6.44. While Frank did participate in the cruise, he trailered the car to the strip, so his car was disallowed. The winner received a slick looking trophy. The pro-touring cars all spun down the track and ran 8's or slower.
WINNER: Jerry Balko, Dallas, TX 6.58@106mph. 1968 Street/Strip Camaro

AirRide Technolgies Auto-X from Hell
Autocross action was INSANE! We crashed a car. Following up his impressive first run, Billy Utley overcooked the turn that faced the track entrance and grandstands. He locked up the brakes on his beautiful 72 Nova and slid hard into the water barriers. Water splashed 50 FEET into the air! The resultant spray soaked the entire grandstands as well as other spectators and photographers. Billy walked away unscathed and the car suffered a damaged hood and fenders. We're all glad that Billy is unharmed. The crash set the tone for the event. This was a fast, challenging and dangerous course. The winner is a local hot shot with a heavily modified Z06 vette. Late model or not--this car definitely stops, steers, and accelerates better than stock. Even with the crazy "showboat" powerslides, no other car could hang with Shawn's Z06. The winner received a trophy and $100.
WINNER: Shawn Willocks Z06 Vette 57.523 sec



Prodigy Customs Camaro Challenge
Since there's so much heated benchracing about Camaro parts selection on message boards, we decided to single out a few f-bodies with a wide range of parts. First we rounded up a wide section of cars with varying front/rear suspension layouts, engine/trans combinations and wheel/tire choices. Then we simply tracked their times to thin out the list. We also included Billy Utley's Nova since the chassis layout is similar. Since he wrecked, we only had one run to collect--but it was a fast 67.677+1. Cars were allowed to run on their own. Cone penalties are included at 2 seconds per cone. At the end, we strapped Tony Bolton, the local hotshoe into the three fastest cars and let him loose to push for a final low number. Tony ran each of the cars as many times as possible until the trakc made us shut down the show. Cone penalties are factored in. If there is any conclusion it is that the performance was very similar. Despite variations in component selection (i.e. airbags or springs, stock clip or aftermarket, leaf spring or four link, etc.) all of the times are very close. The three fastest cars were as follows:

3rd Place: 1968 Camaro Steve Chryssos: 63.947 +1 = 65.947 sec.
2nd Place: 1971 Camaro Brett Voelkel: 64.186 sec.
WINNER: 1969 Camaro Kyle and Stacy Tucker: 64.107 sec.

In the end, we decided to give the trophy to Tony Bolton, who worked his ass off to drive these cars and a few others for us. He would hop out of one car and we would shove him in another. He had the time of his life in the process. Boy can he drive.

Thanks to everyone who participated, spectated, sponsored and helped run the show. While I'm biased, I'm confident that Larry, Bill, Melinda and I put on an awesome event. There was lots of action, cool cars and good times. It was great seeing and meeting all of you.
/Steevo

[andrewb70]

Nice job everyone! I don't do car shows, so this was THE event for me. Mark me down for next year.

Andrew

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Sounds like an awesome time!

[parsonsj]

It was an incredible time. I found a hot rod rental service (Andrew let me drive his kickass LS1-powered RX-7), so I was able to enjoy the autocross too. I've never seen an A/X so big and so fast. Cars were approaching 70 mph in places!

I had a chance to get the photo of the weekend, when Billy Utley's Nova was approaching the grandstands at a high rate of speed. I was inside the wall for some unobstructed photos and was almost directly in his path. Well ... instead of focusing and releasing the shutter, I dove out of the way and landed on my ass behind the wall. I guess I'm not cut out for war correspondence, lol.

jp

[Bow Tie 67]

Steve,

Kudo's to all who set this event up. Yes " Awesome " is the only way I would describe it. I only wish I could this every weekend.

[dropit69]

yeah was so awesome..even spectating the drag and autoxcross was fun..thanks to all who had a hand in the event..thanks to rubes ,matt,vicki for the caravan alot better to drive with others..hope the alternative route paid off for you guys..

[67LS1T56]

Can I have reservation for next year? lol. I will be there next year, sounds like lots of fun.

[Wildron]

what a great event.made alot of new freinds and seen some olds ones.thanks go out to every one who was involved in putting this together.i'll bring more lemonaide next time.

[Steve1968LS2]

Hazing the tires in the banked corner.. zoom zoom..

[Steve Chryssos]

After the show, Tony Bolton clicked off a 63.817 in the air ride Buick. So you could say that a big ol' airbag equipped A-body beat all of the Camaros. And I knw that a lot of you don't want to hear this, but the airbag cars ran hard, hooked up and ran with the metal spring cars.

Same holds true for other parts and systems. The top three cars have the following parts:
Rear suspension:
#3 Camaro: leaf spings
#2 Camaro: air bar
#1 Camaro: Quadra Link
Front Clip:
#3 Camaro: Aftermarket (modified)
#2 Camaro: Stock clip with air ride strong arms
#1 Camaro: DSE clip
Transmissions:
#3 Camaro: Manumatic
#2 Camaro: Manumatic
#1 Camaro: Manual

[andrewb70]

After the show, Tony Bolton clicked off a 63.817 in the air ride Buick. So you could say that a big ol' airbag equipped A-body beat all of the Camaros. And I knw that a lot of you don't want to hear this, but the airbag cars ran hard, hooked up and ran with the metal spring cars.

Same holds true for other parts and systems. The top three cars have the following parts:
Rear suspension:
#3 Camaro: leaf spings
#2 Camaro: air bar
#1 Camaro: Quadra Link
Front Clip:
#3 Camaro: Aftermarket (modified)
#2 Camaro: Stock clip with air ride strong arms
#1 Camaro: DSE clip
Transmissions:
#3 Camaro: Manumatic
#2 Camaro: Manumatic
#1 Camaro: Manual

To me what all that really means is that the biggest change that you can make to your car's performance is improve your driving skills. All this talk of what setup is best, what springs, what bushings, 4-link, 3-link, blah, blah, blah...All those variable translate to differences that are measured in fractions of a second at the track. Improvements in driver skill will translate to multiple seconds at the track.

Look at these cars:

1968 Camaro Steve Chryssos: 63.947 +1 = 65.947 sec.
1971 Camaro Brett Voelkel: 64.186 sec.
1969 Camaro Kyle and Stacy Tucker: 64.107 sec.
Buick 63.817

All the cars listed above are very different yet they all ran very similar times. The common variable between them is the driver.

Andrew

[ProdigyCustoms]

I am a believer now. Brent is doing a awesome job of putting his money where his mouth is. They beat the crap out of those cars. Team air ride was pretty damn impressive with some killer cars and a sharp crew. They really put on a show.

[David Sloan]

Man What a killer event!!!
I cant wait till next year. If we can pull it off we will have my daughter's 73 camaro there.
Thanks to everyone for a great time. It was good meeting so many of you an seeing some of the face's from other events last year.
Thanks

[Tony Bolton]

All the cars listed above are very different yet they all ran very similar times. The common variable between them is the driver.

Andrew

That right there pretty much sums it up for me, as the driver of the said cars. I never had that "strange car" feeling hoping from one car to the next. I will say that the light blue Chevelle that I drove from AirRide had to be one the most plush PERFORMANCE rides i've ever driven. I do believe it turned times in the 64's as well, but what stood out was the comfort. Maybe it was the actual seat, but I think the suspension played a big part as well. I've run on this track a bunch and pretty much know where the bumps/dips/drops are gonna be and I honestly didn't notice them with this car.

[rocketrod]

After the show, Tony Bolton clicked off a 63.817 in the air ride Buick. So you could say that a big ol' airbag equipped A-body beat all of the Camaros. And I knw that a lot of you don't want to hear this, but the airbag cars ran hard, hooked up and ran with the metal spring cars.

Same holds true for other parts and systems. The top three cars have the following parts:
Rear suspension:
#3 Camaro: leaf spings
#2 Camaro: air bar
#1 Camaro: Quadra Link
Front Clip:
#3 Camaro: Aftermarket (modified)
#2 Camaro: Stock clip with air ride strong arms
#1 Camaro: DSE clip
Transmissions:
#3 Camaro: Manumatic
#2 Camaro: Manumatic
#1 Camaro: Manual

Was the engine HP & Torque estimates similar for the top three?

[hotrdblder]

yes i know steevos is 480-500 flywheel, and dse's and air rides 2nd gen were not much more if any by seeing them run, probaly the top three were 450-525 hp at flywheel

[67SSDan]

To me what all that really means is that the biggest change that you can make to your car's performance is improve your driving skills. All this talk of what setup is best, what springs, what bushings, 4-link, 3-link, blah, blah, blah...All those variable translate to differences that are measured in fractions of a second at the track. Improvements in driver skill will translate to multiple seconds at the track.

Look at these cars:

1968 Camaro Steve Chryssos: 63.947 +1 = 65.947 sec.
1971 Camaro Brett Voelkel: 64.186 sec.
1969 Camaro Kyle and Stacy Tucker: 64.107 sec.
Buick 63.817

All the cars listed above are very different yet they all ran very similar times. The common variable between them is the driver.

Andrew

Well said.

[DJW32]

Steve,
Thanks for the information! Is someone going to list all of the times run this weekend? Congrats on your 3rd place

[Steve Chryssos]

Here's the top ten fastest runs.
STICKY TIRES:
Z06 Vette: 57.523 (Owner Shawn Willocks - Car#129)
4th Gen Vert: 63.334 (Owner: Chris McHarge (sp?)Car#73)
STREET TIRES:
1) 70 air ride GSX: 63.817 (Owner Bret Voelkel - Car#2)
2) 69 DSE Camaro: 64.107 (Owner Kyle & Stacy - Car#8)
3) 71 air ride Camaro: 64.186 (Owner Bret Voelkel - Car#52)
4) 67 Air Ride Chevelle: 64.318 (Owner: Bret Voelkel - Car#21)
5) 95 Camaro WS6: 64.920 (Owner: Matt Altamore - Car#16)
6) 89 Mustang: 65.239(Owner Brandon Wiedeman - Car#9)
7) 68 Twist Camaro: 63.947+1 = 65.947 (Owner: Steve Chryssos - Car#72)
8) LS1 RX7: 66.023 (Owner Andrew Borodin - Car#007) 3150lbs w/driver, 375 RWHP
9) 81 MuscleRides Malibu: 66.788 (Owner Bill Howell - Car #19
10) 2001 Z28 Coupe 66.828 (Owner Ryan Jarrard - Car#24)

[Steve Chryssos]

Was the engine HP & Torque estimates similar for the top three?

That's the sort of question I'd like to see more of in this thread. The answer here is yes. The two air ride Chevy's, my car and the DSE car all had very similar small blocks. In fact, the two air ride Chevy cars have the exact same spec engine--carburetor and all. The Air Ride Buick has more power and torque from a custom built engine, but also quite a bit more heft. The 71Z is a fairly heavy car as well.