GM Performance Parts LSX Showdown
The Showdown was an index-style race designed for any year of Gmbodied car or truck using an LS-style powerplant not fitting the All Motor or Drag Radial class rules. A .500 Pro Tree was used, and the racers chose a class based on e.t.-from AAA/LSX at 9.0, to I/LSX at 14.0. This ensured an exciting mix of classes in every race, and a 9-second vehicle could (and did) line up with a 13-second vehicle! There were some serious goodies up for grabs: $1,000 and an LSX block to the winner, $500 to the runner-up for starters! With 64 entrants there was a ton of great racing between those classes, culminating in an awesome final between D/LSX and H/LSX. // rick jensen
GM Performance Parts LSX True Street Challenge
One of the most exciting events held at the LSX Shootout was the GM Performance Parts LSX True Street Challenge, open to all GM vehicles powered by a Gen III or IV LS engine-whether factory installed or not. Designed for high-performance street-going vehicles, True Street's rule set is aimed at ensuring that competitors' cars are reasonably and reliably roadworthy. Now, don't think that this means these cars aren't seriously fast-after all, wheelie bars are permitted! The rules do forbid the use of race-only mods like Lexan windows and a full tube chassis (though "back-halved" vehicles are allowed), and all cars must retain a stock-type front suspension. Though any size engine and power adder combination is permitted, an exhaust system with mufflers is required. Perhaps most significantly, a valid vehicle registration, license plates, insurance ID card, and (if applicable) state inspection sticker must be presented during tech-in. At this time, vehicles are checked for working headlights, turn signals, brake lights, and horn. Tires are also inspected and must be DOT approved, with a maximum 10.6-inch measured tread width for bias-ply tires (325mm for radials; height for either type is unrestricted).
Aside from regulations ensuring streetability, True Street was unique in several other ways. First of all, there was no qualifying involved (though entrants were welcome to take time shots on Thursday and Friday). The event itself was held entirely on Saturday, and was run simultaneously with the NMCA True Street event, which was open to all cars regardless of make or engine. Participation was excellent, as a total of 59 LS-powered rides entered the event (not including a handful that, for whatever reason, registered themselves into the NMCA portion)-double that of the NMCA cars! As a bonus, entrants could compete no-charge in the LSX Showdown index class on Sunday, so surely this helped attract the healthysized crowd.
The activities kicked off late Saturday morning with a driver's meeting to get all competitors on the same page. After this, a mandatory, policeescorted cruise through Memphisarea highways and side streets commenced. The mapped course was a 30-mile grand tour of several semi-populous areas as well as a few more rural roadways. The variety of driving conditions increased the odds that typical race-car weaknesses like inadequate cooling systems and a poor part-throttle tune would rear their ugly heads, although no actual stop-and-go traffic was experienced. Vehicles that were unable to complete the tour were disqualified. Although an unfortunate few fell by the wayside, the vast majority of cars were able to make the trek without trouble. And, thankfully, the cruise was without vehicular incident, save for one of the police escorts being hit by a non-competing vehicle just outside the track entrance!
During the street cruise, this author had the distinct pleasure of riding shotgun in a very cool GMPP test vehicle, an orange Camaro SS with a cammed LS7 under the hood-and an auto trans! I couldn't have imagined a better vehicle in which to carve the roads of Memphis and check out some super-clean and very fast late-model GM iron. | 
How often does a police officer block traffic so that you can run a red light in your Vette? The police were paramount in making the True Street cruise a safe and successful part of the event, so they deserve many thanks. | 
Another gunning for honors was the white 2000 Trans Am of Mike Mester, hailing from Valley Park, MO. This car featured a 402 LS2 stuffed with Diamond pistons and an Eagle crank. Topping it off were AFR 225cc heads and a FAST intake, along with Kooks headers and an NX 200-shot. Also unique was the car's use of a street-friendly, manually shifted 200-4R tranny built by Century Transmission. This combo was good enough not only to lift the tires, but also to yield Mike honors for the LSX Runner-up with a 10.23 average. |