There are a lot of people out there that have differeing opinions about what is a street car at the drags. Here is my opinion:
A street car must be registered, and have an engine that is either an option for that car, or an engineers cerificate.
Must run steel belted radial tyres.
Must run on pump fuel eg optimax, synergy 8000 etc
Must run its times with mufflers on.
Must have working wipers, windows, heater, horn. All the usual stuff.
Must be able to be driven to the track, run the times and drive home without changing tyres etc.
There are heaps of other items that a street car should have, but I want to leave it up to you guys to argue about it.
Street Car?
Started by
_LX406_
, Apr 06 2006 04:11 PM
49 replies to this topic
#2
Tiny
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Posted 06 April 2006 - 04:50 PM
Geez you love opening a can of worms dont you!! But thanks for doing it! Nothing better than a good discussion!
I pretty much agree with your points above.. I'll embellish them with my ideas...
Car must be Roadworthy... Registered and be able to pass a pink slip ( RWC). Engine/driveine must be street legal and engineerable!
Tyres: DOT approved drag radils are fine by me.. I know theyre not technically legal in AUS but thats only cause the manufacturers dont want the expense of proving it here as they already have in the US. So to me drag radials are cool.
Pump fuel is a must. Or a street legal racing fuel ( if there is such a thing??) again it should be able to pass an EPA test.
Exhaust... I'm kinda in two minds about this one.. Personally ive only ever run with full street pipes, and also air cleaner fitted... I can see the benefits of dropping pipes and i dont think this is a problem either... I'd go either way.. but whichever rule is applied needs to be applied to the whole group! no options.
Working anciallaries (sp?) Yep.. definitely...
Driven to the track: That would be nice ( i know that i certainly do), but i also understand that drag radials and dropped pipes dont allow this easily to be done ( even though i drive on my radials!). I'd say be able to prove you COULD drive it to the track... but trailered would be ok...
THe car shoudl have a full cooling sysytem, be able to idle for extended periods, be able to back up run after run without a cool down period, and not require any maintenance ( repacking chutes, changing oil after a run or anything race-carish!)
Thats my thoughts..
Cheers!
I pretty much agree with your points above.. I'll embellish them with my ideas...
Car must be Roadworthy... Registered and be able to pass a pink slip ( RWC). Engine/driveine must be street legal and engineerable!
Tyres: DOT approved drag radils are fine by me.. I know theyre not technically legal in AUS but thats only cause the manufacturers dont want the expense of proving it here as they already have in the US. So to me drag radials are cool.
Pump fuel is a must. Or a street legal racing fuel ( if there is such a thing??) again it should be able to pass an EPA test.
Exhaust... I'm kinda in two minds about this one.. Personally ive only ever run with full street pipes, and also air cleaner fitted... I can see the benefits of dropping pipes and i dont think this is a problem either... I'd go either way.. but whichever rule is applied needs to be applied to the whole group! no options.
Working anciallaries (sp?) Yep.. definitely...
Driven to the track: That would be nice ( i know that i certainly do), but i also understand that drag radials and dropped pipes dont allow this easily to be done ( even though i drive on my radials!). I'd say be able to prove you COULD drive it to the track... but trailered would be ok...
THe car shoudl have a full cooling sysytem, be able to idle for extended periods, be able to back up run after run without a cool down period, and not require any maintenance ( repacking chutes, changing oil after a run or anything race-carish!)
Thats my thoughts..
Cheers!
#3
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Posted 06 April 2006 - 05:07 PM
I agree with Tinys view with the dropped pipes.
needs working anciallaries (Tinys sp!)
needs to be engineered and registered.
no Nitrous?
needs working anciallaries (Tinys sp!)
needs to be engineered and registered.
no Nitrous?
#4
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Posted 06 April 2006 - 05:07 PM
Great, out of your 7 points I scored 1! Woo hoo!
#5
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Posted 06 April 2006 - 05:07 PM
Everything said so far is pretty spot-on.
Regarding dropping the pipes - the car should be driven to the track with the system on, the driver can then spend half an hour removing the system (burning his hands in the process), racing, re-fitting the system, and driving home again! Trailers should only be used for the purpose of having a way to get your car home again in the event of breakages... come on, there's nothing better than the feeling of driving to the track, racing and driving home again..... that's when you know you really have a GENUINE GENUINE STREETER...
Im my opinion; the final test should be that the car can be driven on a long trip, and happily sit in traffic for a while (yes even on a hot day), and have no drama's. Didn't someone even mention once on the old forums that there is a class of racing in the states where the cars are actually forced to go on a cruise... that's the perfect test in my mind. They must be legal enough to be able to drive past a cop car without raising your hairs too much.
To go even further, I reckon real street cars are the cars that actually clock up heaps of driving km's too. Not just drag racing. There is a big difference between a "streeter" and a "drag racing streeter".
Regarding dropping the pipes - the car should be driven to the track with the system on, the driver can then spend half an hour removing the system (burning his hands in the process), racing, re-fitting the system, and driving home again! Trailers should only be used for the purpose of having a way to get your car home again in the event of breakages... come on, there's nothing better than the feeling of driving to the track, racing and driving home again..... that's when you know you really have a GENUINE GENUINE STREETER...
Im my opinion; the final test should be that the car can be driven on a long trip, and happily sit in traffic for a while (yes even on a hot day), and have no drama's. Didn't someone even mention once on the old forums that there is a class of racing in the states where the cars are actually forced to go on a cruise... that's the perfect test in my mind. They must be legal enough to be able to drive past a cop car without raising your hairs too much.
To go even further, I reckon real street cars are the cars that actually clock up heaps of driving km's too. Not just drag racing. There is a big difference between a "streeter" and a "drag racing streeter".
#6
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Posted 06 April 2006 - 05:32 PM
Dont feel bad Howard! Yours isnt either a streeter or a drag car! Its just awesome! ( Yes.. in a league of its own!!..) which leads me to ask... when ARE you bringing it to WSID!?!?
Brett: Good point about the exhausts.. that is a good way of doing it all round!
I was pleased to be able to drive my car to the track in 34 degrees of sunshine.. and idle in the line up for well over 20 minutes and have the temo guage FALL rather than overheat ( unlike ALOT of others who cooked in that line!!).
As youve said brett... a true streeter can be driven there, raced, and driven home!
Cheers!
Brett: Good point about the exhausts.. that is a good way of doing it all round!
I was pleased to be able to drive my car to the track in 34 degrees of sunshine.. and idle in the line up for well over 20 minutes and have the temo guage FALL rather than overheat ( unlike ALOT of others who cooked in that line!!).
As youve said brett... a true streeter can be driven there, raced, and driven home!
Cheers!
#7
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Posted 06 April 2006 - 05:49 PM
If you can drive there without a cop hassiling you youve got my vote
#8
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Posted 06 April 2006 - 07:09 PM
Yep, I'm with the stuff that have been said by all of you. While being able to be driven in traffic and survive hot days designates a genuine genuine streeter as Brett put it, I'd be happy to let that slip a little.
As has also been said, a few amount of k's is also required - Mark Hayes LC454 is totally steet reg'ed in VIC but I think we can all agree that is not what we would term the average 'streeter'. It is the most coolest thing that that car is reg'ed and can be driven on the street, but my guess is that it wouldn't see that much street time, possibly not enough to warrant the term street car, even tho it fulfills all the above criteria of being roadworthied, running pipes, do MT make ET streets in that size I wonder
As has also been said, a few amount of k's is also required - Mark Hayes LC454 is totally steet reg'ed in VIC but I think we can all agree that is not what we would term the average 'streeter'. It is the most coolest thing that that car is reg'ed and can be driven on the street, but my guess is that it wouldn't see that much street time, possibly not enough to warrant the term street car, even tho it fulfills all the above criteria of being roadworthied, running pipes, do MT make ET streets in that size I wonder
#9
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Posted 06 April 2006 - 08:34 PM
Everyones idea of a street car is going to be different....... Years ago I used to drive 300k from Canberra to Eastern Creek, drop pipes, change tyres and rip off a day full of 9 sec passes. This was all well and good if everything goes to plan.... if not then getting home was a real pain. Once my mates 9 sec car had an engine failure, we dropped the tailshaft and flat towed it with my car the 300k home. Needless to say a week later I was up for a convertor and trans.
These days my car is heaps slower but I wouldn't contemplate driving it out of town. If something goes wrong its just too hard to get home again, particularly with wife and kids in tow.
Another reason is the over enthusiastic Police and RTA. I towed my car to Summernats (about 5km from home) and back 3 days running for fear of defection. No matter how roadworthy and legal your car is they will find something......
I say build what you want and do what you want. If you want a daily driver then build one, but don't whinge that it only runs 13 secs !! If you want to race and your faster than 11.00 then required safety equipment makes your car unregisterable anyway. These days most performance car events don't require rego anyway, so why bother......
FWIW guys like Mark Hayes and Mick Voase built their cars to suit a set of rules, with the intention of being the best in a certain arena. The fact that they comply and run numbers is a credit to them, but don't think for a moment that they are really STREET cars. Again its a matter of building what you want.
Let the worms run free !!!!!!!
These days my car is heaps slower but I wouldn't contemplate driving it out of town. If something goes wrong its just too hard to get home again, particularly with wife and kids in tow.
Another reason is the over enthusiastic Police and RTA. I towed my car to Summernats (about 5km from home) and back 3 days running for fear of defection. No matter how roadworthy and legal your car is they will find something......
I say build what you want and do what you want. If you want a daily driver then build one, but don't whinge that it only runs 13 secs !! If you want to race and your faster than 11.00 then required safety equipment makes your car unregisterable anyway. These days most performance car events don't require rego anyway, so why bother......
FWIW guys like Mark Hayes and Mick Voase built their cars to suit a set of rules, with the intention of being the best in a certain arena. The fact that they comply and run numbers is a credit to them, but don't think for a moment that they are really STREET cars. Again its a matter of building what you want.
Let the worms run free !!!!!!!
#10
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Posted 06 April 2006 - 10:53 PM
Wise Words struggler!
I dont think that anyone is putting shit on anyone's cars ( so far) in this thread, and that what youve said is spot on. There are too many compromises these days to have a streetable race car.
The laws simply dont allow the freedoms that generations gone have done!
I dont begrudge anyone turning up on a trailer for the reason youve stated, but turning up in a tubbed caged 1/2 chassis car with blown injected stuff haning out the bonet, with a set of rego plates attached and claiming its a streeter is what i'm against.
Tell it like it is guys!
Cheers
I dont think that anyone is putting shit on anyone's cars ( so far) in this thread, and that what youve said is spot on. There are too many compromises these days to have a streetable race car.
The laws simply dont allow the freedoms that generations gone have done!
I dont begrudge anyone turning up on a trailer for the reason youve stated, but turning up in a tubbed caged 1/2 chassis car with blown injected stuff haning out the bonet, with a set of rego plates attached and claiming its a streeter is what i'm against.
Tell it like it is guys!
Cheers
#11
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Posted 07 April 2006 - 12:16 PM
I would class my HG as a street car, but I do trailer it to the race track and race it out of street trim. It is far easier to tow the car, for a few reasons. The fuel bill, the police, and wear and tear on the car.
It is a street car when I have normal tyres on it, and full exhaust. I have only ever raced it once like this. When I lived in melb I drove to calder one night, with stockies on the back, and ran 12.2. It was fairly wheel spinny, but one pass I used throttle control and it sort of hooked up with 1/2 throttle.
On race day I wack slicks on it and pull the exhaust off. I dont class the HG as a street car according to my rules I mentioned.
It is a street car when I have normal tyres on it, and full exhaust. I have only ever raced it once like this. When I lived in melb I drove to calder one night, with stockies on the back, and ran 12.2. It was fairly wheel spinny, but one pass I used throttle control and it sort of hooked up with 1/2 throttle.
On race day I wack slicks on it and pull the exhaust off. I dont class the HG as a street car according to my rules I mentioned.
#12
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Posted 07 April 2006 - 01:39 PM
Hello all,
I'm with everyone else on this one. My opinion of a street car should be one that can be driven to the track safely. Attract minimal attention with the boys/girls in blue. Street tyres would be nice but as long as a drag radial is road legal than that's all good to.
As far as exhaust goes either run with it on or only be able to drop it near the diff not at the headers(that's my opinion anyway). Also I think that it's important to have the interior in tact, as if it was to be driven on the road.
If the thing makes a crap load of power and needs to be trailered that's up to you but if it makes that much power it probably shouldn't be road legal anyway
I'm with everyone else on this one. My opinion of a street car should be one that can be driven to the track safely. Attract minimal attention with the boys/girls in blue. Street tyres would be nice but as long as a drag radial is road legal than that's all good to.
As far as exhaust goes either run with it on or only be able to drop it near the diff not at the headers(that's my opinion anyway). Also I think that it's important to have the interior in tact, as if it was to be driven on the road.
If the thing makes a crap load of power and needs to be trailered that's up to you but if it makes that much power it probably shouldn't be road legal anyway
#13
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Posted 07 April 2006 - 01:43 PM
I always thought that a street car drag was btw cars that have driven to the drags, road registered and roadworthy. But what you're allowed to do to the car once you get to the strip and STILL be considered a 'street car' is what I would like to know, or what would be considered fair?
dumping exhaust;
removing bonnet scoops or bonnets;
Changing wheel and/or tyre sizes and types;
Removing seats;
Using AVGAS;
etc
etc
What do you guys think?
Basically the time you do on the track would be the time you could do on the street.
dumping exhaust;
removing bonnet scoops or bonnets;
Changing wheel and/or tyre sizes and types;
Removing seats;
Using AVGAS;
etc
etc
What do you guys think?
Basically the time you do on the track would be the time you could do on the street.
#14
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Posted 07 April 2006 - 02:00 PM
If you can drive to the shops or through peak hour traffic then it is a "street car".
People will always argue over cars with plates that claim they are registered. They may indeed have plates but that doesnt mean they are legal. Just look at CAL 400, INOCENT etc.
People will always argue over cars with plates that claim they are registered. They may indeed have plates but that doesnt mean they are legal. Just look at CAL 400, INOCENT etc.
#15
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Posted 07 April 2006 - 02:55 PM
I say build what you want and do what you want. If you want a daily driver then build one, but don't whinge that it only runs 13 secs !!
But a 13sec street car is a BLOODY FAST street car compared to most things out there.
#16
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Posted 07 April 2006 - 03:20 PM
The best thing about CAL400 was tht Daniel was under no illusion that it was a race car. When i spoke with him on the few occasions i did, he always called it his race car. It was the media and magazines who hyped everything up as australias quickest street car.
I think there needs to be a standard of rules agreed on as to what's allowed at a race meeting, to still class a car as a streeter.
Nitrous - Nope
Dropping pipes.. Yeah.. i cant see why not, as its easy to do, as long as all contstants in the bracket are allowed to do the same. You cant compare a car with open pipes to a car that ran with full pipes!
Interesting can of worms this one!
I think there needs to be a standard of rules agreed on as to what's allowed at a race meeting, to still class a car as a streeter.
Nitrous - Nope
Dropping pipes.. Yeah.. i cant see why not, as its easy to do, as long as all contstants in the bracket are allowed to do the same. You cant compare a car with open pipes to a car that ran with full pipes!
Interesting can of worms this one!
#17
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Posted 07 April 2006 - 05:38 PM
Can of worms?! Surely not Tiny, I would have thought this post would have died with lack of interest/opinions
#18
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Posted 07 April 2006 - 07:54 PM
CHOPPER's definition of a street car:
Must pass a RWC IN THE STATE IT IS REGISTERED when sitting on the start line.
End of story.
Radials are not neccessary, as cross ply tyres are legal in all states of Australia.
Pump fuel is needed, as racing fuels are not legal for street use.
If it needs an exhaust system for RWC, it must be retained.
Get the idea?
Outside of those guidelines, it becomes a Modified Street car at the minimum.
Must pass a RWC IN THE STATE IT IS REGISTERED when sitting on the start line.
End of story.
Radials are not neccessary, as cross ply tyres are legal in all states of Australia.
Pump fuel is needed, as racing fuels are not legal for street use.
If it needs an exhaust system for RWC, it must be retained.
Get the idea?
Outside of those guidelines, it becomes a Modified Street car at the minimum.
#19
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Posted 07 April 2006 - 08:39 PM
But a 13sec street car is a BLOODY FAST street car compared to most things out there.
EXACTLY !!!! But these days people don't think that their 13 sec car is quick, they are too hung up on comparing themselves to the "Fastest Street Car" type vehicles.
#20
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Posted 08 April 2006 - 06:55 AM
Hi all
I agree with you all except for the exhaust they can be dropped after the mufflers and not before the mufflers.
A prime example cars that are supposed to road registered like the
Forza race vehicles what a load of crap!.
I don't think slicks should be used as they are not allowed for road use
the same goes for fuel
cheers keith
I agree with you all except for the exhaust they can be dropped after the mufflers and not before the mufflers.
A prime example cars that are supposed to road registered like the
Forza race vehicles what a load of crap!.
I don't think slicks should be used as they are not allowed for road use
the same goes for fuel
cheers keith
#21
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Posted 09 April 2006 - 12:34 AM
ONE hundred per cent stock vs 3.8 auto 205.65.15 miehelin radiel BP 92ron 35lt in tank drove in drove out still RW 88mph over 1/4 not to shabie for a car with 198k on the speedo and bilt in 96 and wife drives it to work every day well that is my 2cents worth .
#22
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Posted 09 April 2006 - 01:36 AM
Sorry, I agree with chop, have to draw the line. Street means street.
#23
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Posted 09 April 2006 - 07:14 PM
aaahh yes but if we talk about a RWC in terms of getting defects lifted.....in a pink slip type situation the inspector is only required to assess the brakes/steering/lights/horn/wipers etc.......when i got pulled up years ago and got defected for pollution gear not being hooked up the guy i got to do the pink slip to lift the defect said he wasnt required to check the pollution gear in a pinky anyhow so would have passed it without me having fixed it......CHOPPER's definition of a street car:
Must pass a RWC IN THE STATE IT IS REGISTERED when sitting on the start line.
End of story.
so my defintion of a STREET CAR = UNBOOKABLE(however hard that is to achieve)
#24
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Posted 09 April 2006 - 07:23 PM
Unbookable? That would rule out 99.9% of the cars on the road though
No seriously.. I undertand what you mean, but roadworthy and as driven would be the wording i would put on it... Ive seen some pretty radical cars driven, but as long as theyre roadworthy ( could pass an RTA type inspection), and as driven then it would be fine.
I think as has been discussed previously, a cruise for something like 30 minutes needs to be done, arriving at the track for final scruitneering and race as is. That would kill my idea of dropping pipes,but i'd be willing to wear that (race with pipes on) if those were the rules.
Cheers!
No seriously.. I undertand what you mean, but roadworthy and as driven would be the wording i would put on it... Ive seen some pretty radical cars driven, but as long as theyre roadworthy ( could pass an RTA type inspection), and as driven then it would be fine.
I think as has been discussed previously, a cruise for something like 30 minutes needs to be done, arriving at the track for final scruitneering and race as is. That would kill my idea of dropping pipes,but i'd be willing to wear that (race with pipes on) if those were the rules.
Cheers!
#25
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Posted 09 April 2006 - 07:55 PM
A 30 min cruise through traffic, then the cars arrive at the race track, striaght into a locked compund. Race day the next day.
Open up the compound, cars straight to the staging lanes. No fuel changes, no blue bottles going in the boot, no tyre changes, no exhaust removal.
Thats my idea of sorting the streeters from the registered race cars.
Open up the compound, cars straight to the staging lanes. No fuel changes, no blue bottles going in the boot, no tyre changes, no exhaust removal.
Thats my idea of sorting the streeters from the registered race cars.
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