Blog Archives

Detroit Speed at Hot Rods at the Race Shop

DSE Employee Andy Stapp went to Stewart-Haas RacingHot Rods at the Race Shop this past weekend in Kannapols, NC . He drove the Detroit Speed 1963 Chevy II Test Car and came home with trophy for “Best Custom”. img_2629

Wind, Weather, and More Can’t Stop the USCA Pittsburgh Show Sponsored by Detroit Speed

Mooresville, NC – http://goo.gl/GXQRgG The USCA Pittsburgh img_0015event was filled with many highlights. It was the last event of the series before the grand finale, the races to qualify for the final OUSCI spots were tight…oh and it sleeted and snowed Saturday.

The event kicked off bright and early Saturday morning under suspect skies. The wind was blowing and temps barely crept out of the low 40’s all day. After a brief driver’s meeting the autocross track was damp but ready to roll. This was one of the largest groups with more than 50 cars staged in 5 lines eager to take their shot at the autocross. Runs were hard and heavy for about an hour before the weather decided to rear its ugly head again. Rain turned to sleet and sleet turned to snow (if ever so briefly) and precipitation took to the track for the next few hours. This didn’t stop anyone, autocross runs continued to run throughout the morning until early afternoon. Following lunch was the Speed Stop challenge which ran virtually unscathed from the elements throughout the afternoon which led to the Detroit Speed Road Rally.

The Detroit Speed Road Rally was a perfect drive through western PA and ended back at the track for the Holley welcome party where resident chef, Albert Melchoir, dialed up a perfect end of the day meal.

Saturday was all BFGoodrich Hot Lap Challenge. 3 groups took turns with 20 minute sessions throughout the morning and afternoon. The weather was cold but stayed dry. Following the event was the awards show to put a stamp on a fantastic weekend. Congrats to Billy Utley and Bryan Johnson. Billy won the Detroit Speed “Pre-1980 Fastest American Iron” while Bryan Johnson won the Detroit Speed “Fastest Fifth Gen” award. Billy also qualified for the end of the year Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational taking place at Las Vegas Motor Speedway later this year. Congrats guys!

What a close to a fantastic first USCA year. Multiple winners, increased attendance at each event made for a fun and competitive season. Don’t forget, the final event is Nov. 8-9 at Las Vegas, NV following the SEMA show.

USCA Pittsburgh Highlights:

• Billy Utley won his 3rd Detroit Speed “Pre-1980 Fastest American Iron” award, finished 2nd overall and qualified for   the OUSCI in Las Vegas

• Bryan Johnson also won his 3rd Detroit Speed “Fastest Fifth Gen”award at USCA Pittsburgh

• Bryan and Billy have each won their respective awards 3 times, in fact, each of them won their awards at the same
events during the 2014 season

• 6 of the top 7 overall finishers were DSE “Equipped” vehicles

• 1/4 of the drivers running the event were DSE “Equipped”

• Ryan Mathews won the autocross in the Detroit Speed 2012 “White Monster” Camaro Test Car

• Kyle Tucker drove his trusty 1970 Camaro Test Car all weekend, Stacy drove her 2008 Mustang and Matt Butts competed in   the DSE 1966 Mustang Test Car

• Kyle and Stacy Tucker drove the Chevy II “taxi” from Mooresville to Pittsburgh. Good friend, Todd Rumpke, had a short end to   his weekend with an engine issue so he “borrowed” the Chevy II for some track time 

Final Standings

Over 3000lb Class Overall
1 – Danny Popp
2 – Billy Utley – DSE “Equipped” 1972 Nova (OUSCI Invite)
3 – Ken Thwaits – DSE “Equipped” 2014 Camaro

Under 3000lb Class Overall 
1 – Bradley Yonkers– (OUSCI Invite)
2 – James Forbis
3 – Rob McGregor

BFGoodrich Hot Lap Challenge – Over 3000lb Class
1 – Danny Popp
2 – Bryan Johnson – DSE “Equipped” 2013 Camaro
3 – Ken Thwaits – DSE “Equipped” 2014 Camaro

BFGoodrich Hot Lap Challenge – Under 3000lb Class
1 – James Forbis
2 – Rob McGregor
3 – Bradley Yonkers

Autocross – Over 3000lb Class
1 – Ryan Mathews – DSE 2012 “White Monster” Camaro Test Car
2 – Billy Utley – DSE “Equipped” 1972 Nova
3 – Larry Woo

Autocross – Under 3000lb Class
1 – Bradley Yonkers
2 – Rob McGregor
3 – Herman Porter

Speed-Stop Challenge – Over 3000lb Class
1 – Danny Popp
2 – Kyle Tucker – DSE 1970 Camaro Test Car
3 – Ken Thwaits – DSE “Equipped” 2014 Camaro

Speed-Stop Challenge – Under 3000lb Class
1 – Bradley Yonkers
2 – James Forbis
3 – Rob McGregor

Design & Engineering – Over 3000lb Class
1 – Bob Bertelsen
2 – Billy Utley – DSE “Equipped” 1972 Nova
3 – Chris Smith

Design & Engineering – Under 3000lb Class
1 – James Forbis
2 – Herman Porter
3 – Bradley Yonkers

DSE Fastest 5th Gen Award
Bryan Johnson – DSE “Equipped” 2013 Camaro

DSE Fastest Pre-1980 American Iron Award
Billy Utley – DSE “Equipped” 1972 Nova

Detroit Speed Shades of the Past Sept 5-6, 2014

Detroit Speed will be at Shades of the Past in Pigeon Forge, TN, September 5-6th at Dollywood’s Splash Country. The DSE Chevy II is on display along with the Chevy II Front Frame and Chevy II QUADRALink. Detroit Speed will be selecting a winner for our Modern Muscle Award. The Modern Muscle award chosen will be a vehicle that blends the looks of an old muscle car with the performance of a modern vehicle.   If you are in the area, come out and see us. http://www.shadesofthepast.com/facebook-shades

Detroit Speed Shades of the Past Sept 5-6, 2014

Detroit Speed will be at Shades of the Past in Pigeon Forge, TN, September 5-6th at Dollywood’s Splash Country. The DSE Chevy II is on display along with the Chevy II Front Frame and Chevy II QUADRALink. Detroit Speed will be selecting a winner for our Modern Muscle Award. The Modern Muscle award chosen will be a vehicle that blends the looks of an old muscle car with the performance of a modern vehicle.   If you are in the area, come out and see us. http://www.shadesofthepast.com/facebook-shades

Great day for DSE Equipped cars at Goodguys Del Mar

Goodguys Del Mar Results. Its great to see all the #DSEequipped cars do well!

Greg Thurmond won Pro Class, Rob McGregor was 2nd, Mike Maier 3rd, Detroit Speed’s Kyle Tucker 4th and Stacy Tucker 5th.  Cheryl Herrick in her #DSEequipped Chevy II was 6th.

Jake Rozelle won the Street Machine class in his #DSEequipped 1969 Camaro prepped by JCG. Evan Osborn was also in the Street Machine shootout with his #DSEequipped Camaro.

B02I5369 B02I5475 B02I6151 B02I6381 wes-drelleshakTruck Class winner is Wes Drelleshak.  Paul Alderman also did great in his #DSEequipped 70 Camaro.   Larry Woo was here in his #DSEequipped Camaro.

Detroit Speed 2013 Year in Review

Mooresville, NC –http://goo.gl/RPyidJ  As quickly as it came, 2013 is already in the books. It was another exciting year for Detroit Speed with the introduction of new Corvette parts, a win for Kyle Tucker in the Good guys Columbus Sponsor Shootout, the Detroit Speed 2012 White Monster Camaro competing in the One Lap of America, our largest Open House ever, the Toyota Dream Build Challenge as well as numerous wins in competitions all over the country.

2013-YIR-001

 

New Look Detroit Speed 1966 Mustang Test Car Debuts
The Detroit Speed 2013 season started off with the new look Detroit Speed 1966 Mustang Test Car being unveiled at

Goodguys Scottsdale. Cold weather, rain and some hail kicked off the show then eventually subsided by Saturday mid-morning which opened the door for some autocrossing action. The Mustang Test Car and the 1969 Camaro Test Car were able to get runs in Saturday and Sunday. Kyle ended up finishing in 2nd place in the Pro Class while Stacy 

claimed 4th.

West Coast Swing Continues at Goodguys Pleasanton
The west coast swing continued with a trip to Goodguys Pleasanton. The weather was also what we are accustomed to seeing in California and the Mustang Test Car and 1969 Camaro Test Car were able to rip up the autocross track. There was definitely no lack of competition as Pro-Class drivers Kyle and Stacy Tucker battled both days against some great drivers including Mike Maier and Brian Hobaugh. In the end, it was our good friend Mike Maier and his Mustang that took the Pro-Class top spot and finished with the fastest overall time of the weekend.

The West Coast Swing Finishes Up in Del Mar
The west coast swing finished up at Goodguys Del Mar. The wonderful weather brought out thousands of spectators and many participants for the show favorite, the Goodguys Autocross. There were a good number of drivers in their DSE Equipped cars running hard on the autocross all weekend long. Detroit Speed Pro Class drivers Kyle and Stacy Tucker were out in the DSE 1966 Mustang Test Car and the 1969 Camaro Test Car. Kyle had a good showing in the Mustang and Stacy ran well in the Camaro.

1st Annual Detroit Speed Southern Slam
Next up for Detroit Speed was the Detroit Speed “Southern Slam.” The event had everything you could ask for. From old muscle cars to new, the competitors came out in numbers and put on a show running the road course on Saturday and finishing up on the autocross Sunday morning.

2012 White Monster Camaro Runs the One Lap of America
Following the Southern Slam for Detroit Speed was an awesome opportunity for Kyle and Ryan. They competed in the 2012 One Lap of America in the newly built DSE 2012 Camaro Test Car. Kyle, Ryan and the White Monster finished 2nd in the SSGT2 class. The team ended up finishing 13th overall and was named the One Lap of America Rookies of the Year! To go along with that, they also came in 2nd place in the I-Racing competition.

DSE Finishes Strong at the Heidt’s Performance Car Challenge
After the One Lap of America, the Detroit Speed team ended up in Joliet, IL for the Heidt’s Performance Car Challenge. Stacy ran her Camaro hard and finished fourth on the road course and third in the autocross shootout while Kyle finished 2nd on the road course. Detroit Speed customer and friend, Tim McGilton, finished third in the road course and won the autocross shootout in his Detroit Speed “Equipped” 1970 Camaro.

Autocrossing action at Goodguys Nashville
Upon returning from One Lap and the Heidt’s Performance Car Challenge the crew made their way out to Goodguys Nashville for some autocrossing action at LP field in Nashville. Storms moved through the Friday of the show providing a wet start to the show but finished with two days of sunshine and a dry autocross track for some cone carving in the Test Cars. Goodguys and the city of Nashville are always on top of their game and besides, we get to drive our muscle cars down one of the prettiest stretches of highway in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee.
Kyle Captures the Sponsor Shootout at Goodguys Columbus

 

DSE Brings Home the Hardware at the CHP Nationals
Next up for Detroit Speed was the 2nd annual Chevy High Performance Nationals. There was an autocross, drag racing and a huge car show with hundreds of vehicles. Detroit Speed Test Car Manager and Development Driver, Matt Butts, handled the driving duties this weekend in the DSE 1970 Camaro Test Car filling in for Kyle Tucker. Matt captured 1st place in the Street Machine Challenge Class Jet-Hot autocross on Saturday and followed that up with a Sunday win in the simultaneous start double elimination bracket style Sunday autocross shootout.

The Mid-America Ford & Shelby Nationals
The Mid-America Ford & Shelby Nationals was next up on the schedule and this event has something for everyone. There is the road course at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, Drag Racing at Tulsa Raceway Park, a cruise to downtown Tulsa, and a car show on Sunday. We eagerly await the 2014 show as it will be the 50th anniversary celebration of the iconic Mustang.

Early July was a home run for everybody at the Detroit Speed with the start of the 2013 Goodguys PPG Nationals in Columbus, OH. Kyle drove off with the Sponsor Shootout Victory and a check for $5000.00 while Ryan captured 1st place in the Pro-Class autocross. This year the team drove the DSE 1969 Camaro to the show, won the Pro Class Shootout and then drove it back to Mooresville. The DSE 1966 Mustang and One Lap of America Camaro Test Car also made the over 800 mile round trip from Mooresville, NC to Columbus, OH and back.

Mustang Week at Myrtle Beach
Following the very rewarding Goodguys Columbus was our first trip to Mustang Week in Myrtle Beach, SC. Mustang week is definitely a great crowd; people were friendly and eager to take a spin through the booth to check out the 1966 Mustang Test Car as well as the Dynacorn display car. The DSE 1966 Mustang Test Car was the star of the show as Kyle Tucker drove the wheels off of it during the Wednesday autocross at Myrtle Beach Speedway.

Ryan Captures 1st place in the Late Model Manufacturers Shootout
Next up was the Motorstate Challenge in Michigan. Friday morning was the start of the racing at Gingerman for the road course portion of the event. Detroit Speed engineer, Ryan Mathews, finished 2nd in the DSE 2012 “White Monster” Camaro Test Car on the road course while co-owners Kyle finished 3rd in the DSE 1970 Camaro Test Car and Stacy finished 13th in the DSE 1969 Camaro Test Car on the road course. Saturday was the autocross at Lake Michigan College where Detroit Speed engineer, Ryan Mathews, took home 1st place in the Late Model Manufacturers Shootout.
DSE Shows off the New Front and Rear Coilover Kits at Camaro5 Fest
After the Motorstate Challenge Detroit Speed headed out for the Camaro5 fest at Lucas Oil Raceway Park in Indianapolis, IN. It is a large gathering of 5th Generation Camaros showing and competing in the CamaroCross and Drag Strip racing. Along with the Test Cars, Detroit Speed had the new Front Coilover Conversion Kit in Street and Track versions and the Rear Coilover Conversion Kit on display at the hauler. The DSE 2010 Camaro Test Car competed with the “Street” kit while the 2012 Camaro Test Car competed with the “Race” kit.

Stacy Takes the Early Model Road Race Class at the Ohio Musclecar Challenge
Next for Detroit Speed was the Ohio Musclecar Challenge. This was a very successful event for Kyle and Stacy Tucker. Stacy and Kyle have had many battles on the autocross and road courses at various events across the country the past few years. This year they both drove a Camaro Test Car but Kyle’s was in the late model class driving the 2012 Camaro Test Car while Stacy ran the early model class in her signature blue 1969 Camaro Test Car. Stacy owned the early model road race class and finished 1st while

Kyle won the late model road race class and was named late model “Grand Champion.”

DSE “Equipped’ Cars Come Just Short of a 3-peat at the Holley LS Fest
The LS Fest was next on the list for the team at Detroit Speed. Detroit Speed Equipped cars have been named the Grand Champion the previous two years but came up just short of a 3-peat. This event, open to all vehicles with LS powered engines, has it all, an autocross, drag racing, a speed, stop & steering challenge, a cruise and much more. The 125 vehicle entries were a record for the LS Fest.

Detroit Speed, with no shortage of LS powered vehicles, loaded up the hauler with the 1969 and 1970 Camaro Test Cars while DSE Employee, Matt Butts, hopped in the new 2012 “White Monster” Camaro and made the 450 mile trek to Bowling Green and competed in all the weekend’s events while promoting the new front and rear 2010+ Camaro Coilover Conversion kits.

Billy Utley and His DSE “Equipped” Nova Win King of the Hill Honors at the Run to the Hills
Following the trip to Bowling Green Detroit Speed traveled down I-40 to the 9th annual Run to the Hills in beautiful Pigeon Forge for a full weekend of autocrossing action at Smokie Stadium. Stacy Tucker returned to the infamous tree on Friday the 13th and her, the DSE 1969 Camaro Test Car, and the tree all made peace. Kyle Tucker took home the early model autocross while Mike Jr. Johnson took home the late model autocross. We were also very proud of our DSE dealer, builder, and friend, Billy Utley, for

winning the “King of the Hill. Well done Billy!

Ryan Mathews Qualifies for the Autocross Shootout Finals at Goodguys Indy
After a few racing events the hauler made its way back to Indianapolis, IN for the Goodguys Indy show. We love going out to one of the American Icons of racing as the 3rd Speedway Nationals took place at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. There was an autocross and an All American Sunday which opened the door for any American made vehicle.  Stacy Tucker drove her 1969 Camaro Test Car while DSE engineer, Ryan Mathews, drove the 1970 Camaro Test Car. Ryan Mathews qualified for the Autocross Shootout Finals. Ryan and Stacy were both now qualified to bring home $10,000 in cash and prizes November 15th – 17th at the Southwest Nationals in Scottsdale, AZ.

CamRally Named a Top Ten Car of SEMA by Edmunds.com
One of the most exciting things to happen to Detroit Speed came towards the end of the year as we were once again asked to compete in the Toyota Dream Build Challenge with Kyle Busch Motorsports and their driver Parker Kligerman. Although we came up just short of the top prize we were thrilled with the attention that the CamRally received at the SEMA show and was even name a top ten car of SEMA by Edmunds.com.
Kyle Tucker Finishes 7th Overall in the White Monster Camaro at the OUSCI
Detroit Speed had Kyle and Stacy Tucker competing in the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational that takes place the Saturday after SEMA. Kyle was in the new DSE “White Monster” 2012 Camaro Test Car and Stacy Tucker drove her iconic DSE 1969 Camaro Test Car. This competition brings out some of the best drivers and street cars in the world for a fierce battle on the autocross, speed stop, road course and more. Kyle managed to take 2nd place in the Hot Lap Challenge and tie for 7th overall. Brian Hobaugh ended up taking the win by capturing first in the autocross and speed stop giving him enough points to finish above last year’s champion Mark Stielow in his DSE “Equipped” 1967 Mayhem Camaro.

Ryan and Stacy Come Up Just Short in the Autocross Shootout Finals at Goodguys Scottsdale
After SEMA and the Optima Ultimate Street Car Challenge in Pahrump, Stacy and Ryan took part in the Goodguys Autocross Shootout Finals at the Goodguys Scottsdale show. The finals got underway Saturday at 11:00 AM and featured the top 24 auto crossers in the country battling for a $10,000 purse. Although neither Ryan nor Stacy won the Shootout, Ryan was able to take home the All-American Sunday autocross win.

The Detroit Speed Show season concluded with a trip back to Indianapolis and the PRI show. The temperatures were absolutely freezing but we managed to make it. There was great foot traffic through our booth and we enjoyed meeting lots of new people.

It has been a very exciting year for everyone at Detroit Speed. Thanks for coming along for the ride with us and we look forward to 2014!