Bringing Back this timeless age ole topic... What is a Street Car versus a Race Car?

[Dman007]

This topic has been discussed several times on these forums. But we need to bring this topic back into 2024 with all of the changes happening in drag racing.

What is a Street Car?

What is a Race Car?

My definition is: we cut on the chassis and the car can not be put back to "factory form" with 100% dealership parts, wiring, ECU "unlocked". Then is a race car. Because if we cut on the rear-end and 4 link it, tubbed it, front half it, cut out the floor pans, move the firewall back = Race Car

But states like Florida, North & South Carolina, Alabama and Oklahoma, etc... don't have emissions and if it's got 4 tires and a chassis = Street Car licensed and registered with a state licenses plate and sticker sticker to prove it.

So what is a Street Car these days? Because Sick Week's organizer runs 5 seconds in his street car.

 

[SilverBillet]

I’m sure you guys can tell a real street car from a race car. @vortecd runs 9.12 @148 and drives his car to work and the track on nice days. That’s a street car!

 

[drag racer]

My definition is: a car you can take a cross-country trip in and be very comfortable (HVAC, quiet-enough, fuel economy not too far off OEM, etc.) to the point one's non-gearhead wife is happy and still your wife when you arrive at the destination. From that point on to attain more performance, every change that erodes the above is getting into race-car territory.

The fast D&D guys driving Pro Mods are not street cars, period. They are race cars that through a lot of dollars and some great ideas, innovation, and parts to assist in thermal management and engine durability can survive long drives, but they are anything but a fun ride on a long drive - those guys are physically exhausted at the end of the day especially if problems are encountered along the way.

Just my $0.02.

 

[vortecd]

My definition is: a car you can take a cross-country trip in and be very comfortable (HVAC, quiet-enough, fuel economy not too far off OEM, etc.) to the point one's non-gearhead wife is happy and still your wife when you arrive at the destination. From that point on to attain more performance, every change that erodes the above is getting into race-car territory.

The fast D&D guys driving Pro Mods are not street cars, period. They are race cars that through a lot of dollars and some great ideas, innovation, and parts to assist in thermal management and engine durability can survive long drives, but they are anything but a fun ride on a long drive - those guys are physically exhausted at the end of the day especially if problems are encountered along the way.

Just my $0.02.

You about summed it up. I said years ago a street car is one you cold hop into and drive across the country, and want to drive it it that far.

 

[1971demon]

You about summed it up. I said years ago a street car is one you cold hop into and drive across the country, and want to drive it it that far.

It would seem..depending on the laws in your state..if they issue you a registration....it's a street car...That said..just about any car can be a race car...(run it down the track..bingo..it's a race car)..but not every race car can be a street car...but what do I know..

 

[hell on wheels]

If your win light
Does not come on
You lose

 

[Unholy707]

 

[jonx96]

Can you go on a 500 mile road trip with it with the only stops being for fuel, food and bathroom stops. During this cruise can you go with the flow of traffic going down the freeway
Does your car still have the safety equipment if you were going to get in a car accident during that 500 mile cruise.

 

[Hatermkr]

This topic has been discussed several times on these forums. But we need to bring this topic back into 2024 with all of the changes happening in drag racing.

What is a Street Car?

What is a Race Car?

My definition is: we cut on the chassis and the car can not be put back to "factory form" with 100% dealership parts, wiring, ECU "unlocked". Then is a race car. Because if we cut on the rear-end and 4 link it, tubbed it, front half it, cut out the floor pans, move the firewall back = Race Car

But states like Florida, North & South Carolina, Alabama and Oklahoma, etc... don't have emissions and if it's got 4 tires and a chassis = Street Car licensed and registered with a state licenses plate and sticker sticker to prove it.

So what is a Street Car these days? Because Sick Week's organizer runs 5 seconds in his street car.

my car insurance will tell me if it’s a race car or not.

 

[Dman007]

Those sick week cars...they are going cross country and back and can sit in traffic for hours. And they have MORE safety equipment than a little three point harness and airbags. Heck, those cars have five point harness, cages and fire suppression. And they have less material in their car that burns and burn up a driver.

Btw, who knows a country boy in an old (like 1980's) rusted out POS truck that is loud because the mufflers are rusted out and can't hear himself think and puts his wife in the passenger seat, because he doesn't want to listen to her either. LOL! Is this a race car?

Comfort is one person's perception or reality.

Heck, what about those guys that put 26" rims on their cars. They can not go cross country...are those race cars now?

In the end, most of us are racing our cars. To 1971demon point. We all might be race cars in the end.

 

[jonx96]

I feel this will be a failed argument with you.
can your car do a 500 miles down the highway at 75mph?
id assume that car with 26s would then be considered a show car?
end of the day a modern car without overdrive can be driven on the street but you aren’t making a 500 mile cruise comfortably cruising at 75mph

I’m not sure if your car has fender exits but a full exhaust should also join the list of a steeet car.
I think most would agree if you get in an accident with a full cage in the car on the street it is more dangerous then the air bags and you are also affecting the crumble effect of the crash.

 

[Hatermkr]

I feel this will be a failed argument with you.
can your car do a 500 miles down the highway at 75mph?
id assume that car with 26s would then be considered a show car?
end of the day a modern car without overdrive can be driven on the street but you aren’t making a 500 mile cruise comfortably cruising at 75mph

I’m not sure if your car has fender exits but a full exhaust should also join the list of a steeet car.
I think most would agree if you get in an accident with a full cage in the car on the street it is more dangerous then the air bags and you are also affecting the crumble effect of the crash.

He’s a tool Jon

when you have to pick on legit street cars with your 250k race car to support your ego your a tool.
when you have to sped 250k to get noticed your a tool. When you need to pay someone to build tune and maintain your car your a tool
When you come on and act like king shit 💩 when your just a scammer that burned almost every bridge your a tool
When you need to video every thing done and try and sue everyone your a tool
When you try to make people say they charged you 180 a hour when you only pay 80 your a tool.( not exact numbers, but you know what you wanted to do
when you take your on tuned car to a track and try to make passes and it blows up and you want to blame the builder your a tool.
Man I can keep going.
but here is your sign

 

[1971demon]

Can you go on a 500 mile road trip with it with the only stops being for fuel, food and bathroom stops. During this cruise can you go with the flow of traffic going down the freeway
Does your car still have the safety equipment if you were going to get in a car accident during that 500 mile cruise.

I know more than a few people whose vehicles I wouldn't trust to take a 50 mile trip....much less 500...and they aint no race cars...more like war wagons...

 

[BULL]

I haven't actually read the book, or seen the movie, but this question feels like the following comes pretty close

 

[1971demon]

He’s a tool Jon

when you have to pick on legit street cars with your 250k race car to support your ego your a tool.
when you have to sped 250k to get noticed your a tool. When you need to pay someone to build tune and maintain your car your a tool
When you come on and act like king shit 💩 when your just a scammer that burned almost every bridge your a tool
When you need to video every thing done and try and sue everyone your a tool
When you try to make people say they charged you 180 a hour when you only pay 80 your a tool.( not exact numbers, but you know what you wanted to do
when you take your on tuned car to a track and try to make passes and it blows up and you want to blame the builder your a tool.
Man I can keep going.
but here is your sign

View attachment 128267

He better have one of those MEGA Snap On boxes from the sounds of things...

 

[jonx96]

He’s a tool Jon

when you have to pick on legit street cars with your 250k race car to support your ego your a tool.
when you have to sped 250k to get noticed your a tool. When you need to pay someone to build tune and maintain your car your a tool
When you come on and act like king shit 💩 when your just a scammer that burned almost every bridge your a tool
When you need to video every thing done and try and sue everyone your a tool
When you try to make people say they charged you 180 a hour when you only pay 80 your a tool.( not exact numbers, but you know what you wanted to do
when you take your on tuned car to a track and try to make passes and it blows up and you want to blame the builder your a tool.
Man I can keep going.
but here is your sign

View attachment 128267

 

[jonx96]

I haven't actually read the book, or seen the movie, but this question feels like the following comes pretty close

View attachment 128273

Is it bad I don’t know the reference 🤣

 

[RGPIII]

Well said!

He’s a tool Jon

when you have to pick on legit street cars with your 250k race car to support your ego your a tool.
when you have to sped 250k to get noticed your a tool. When you need to pay someone to build tune and maintain your car your a tool
When you come on and act like king shit 💩 when your just a scammer that burned almost every bridge your a tool
When you need to video every thing done and try and sue everyone your a tool
When you try to make people say they charged you 180 a hour when you only pay 80 your a tool.( not exact numbers, but you know what you wanted to do
when you take your on tuned car to a track and try to make passes and it blows up and you want to blame the builder your a tool.
Man I can keep going.
but here is your sign

View attachment 128267

 

[1971demon]

Is it bad I don’t know the reference 🤣

Not sure the Bull man is fully awake...

 

[BULL]

Is it bad I don’t know the reference 🤣

50 Shades of Grey