The Ultimate Streetcar Challenge: The Winner

Nothing could be further from the truth. With all due respect to Mr. Mumford, his awesome driving and his incredible car, this contest could very easily have gone to any of the top three finishers.

With only 20 points covering the Viper, Skyline and Supra, this was a contest for the books. That is to say it was close. Very close. Think about it this way: If Mani Jayasinghe's Supra, which eventually finished third, had equaled Mumford's Viper on the skidpad (he missed by only .069g), it would be his car on this page. Following this same scenario, the margin to the second place Viper would be nine points--nearly double the eventual winning margin between the Viper and Skyline. Clearly, the same can be said for Daniel Suh's Skyline, which missed victory by a critical five points. So it wasn't just close, it was a hairsplitting contest that ended with the victor ahead by a microscopic margin.

Although Mumford showed the field how it was done on the road course, it was the Viper's consistent, respectable finishes that gave it the win in a field fraught with power, grip, handling and street presence. Congratulations, Paul, and better luck next year to those who came so close.

We fully expect to see several of the top three contenders back next year, and based on the commentary after the contest, most want to return. What cars will compete next year? That's up to you. In the July issue, we'll publish a whole batch of new USCC entries and let you, the readers, pick the final ten. To get your car on that list, use the entry form on page 77 and send it in. That is, if you and your ride have what it takes. n