NMCA Extreme Street
I'm a fan of sportsman-level street car racing--understatement of the year, right? In fact, I'm beyond infatuated with big-horsepower cars that can run a number. And yes, I'm just as guilty as any of you when it comes to spending a bit more than I should at times. But seriously, does it really matter? Sure, there's always a way to justify the extra expenditure, but more importantly, you have to know going into it that it's a losing proposition, with minimal chance of ever recovering your losses. It isn't until you've accepted the nature of the sport that you're able to fully comprehend why we're so willing to strap ourselves into these cars. In short, while it may not seem like the most responsible answer, the quickest, easiest response when asked why we're willing to pour so much into our sport is: "Because it's fun!?!?"
If this sounds all too familiar to you, welcome to the club. And I have a bit of good news to share: We've recently partnered up with the National Muscle Car Association and Vortech Engineering, becoming the presenting sponsor of the NMCA's '09 Vortech Engineering Xtreme Street class.
I won't get into the specifics here because next month we'll have a detailed rundown on the class itself, including the people who compete in it and the complete evolution of the class. I have to admit that Xtreme Street is a personal favorite of mine, and I've been following the class since its inception. We're talking about stock-appearing cars that have dipped into the 7s but generally run deep into the 8-second marker. Sound easy? Think again. Xtreme Street requires a stock-style chassis, is restricted to a 10.6-inch-wide slick, has a max cubic inch limit--and wheelie bars are denied!
Through this joint venture, you can expect additional race coverage for racers and fans alike, both in the magazine and on our site, chevyhiperformance.com. But there's more to it than race coverage. If you can make it to any of the events we're planning to attend, we'll be on the prowl for potential feature cars. Bear in mind, this isn't limited to race cars by any means, as the NMCA also puts on a car show at every venue. Seriously, is there anything better than hanging out with your family and close friends and getting to show off your street/strip machines?
And with that, I'm out of here. I have clothes to pack, camera gear to load up, and a plane to catch if I want to make this weekend's NMCA season opener at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Bradenton, Florida. Actually, there's one more thing. If you're planning to attend any of the races this season and have a car that fits our style, send me an email at chevyhi@sorc.com, and be sure to include a large-format image of your ride and its vital powertrain specs. Maybe we can set up a shoot well in advance.