2009 OPTIMA Batteries Ultimate Street Car Invitational
 

The 2nd annual OPTIMA Batteries Ultimate Streetcar Invitational
presented by Ridetech
When: Saturday November 7, 2009
Where: Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch, Pahrump, NV.
Gates will open at 7:00 am

OPTIMA Batteries and FM3 Performance Marketing announces the The 2nd annual OPTIMA Batteries Ultimate Street Car Invitational presented by Ridetech. The event is designed to give builders and owners of some the world’s most awesome street driven cars the opportunity to show their stuff on a closed circuit professional road-racing course. The event is held following the conclusion of the SEMA show and is intended to reflect the craftsmanship and performance of SEMA-quality vehicles and to promote those manufacturers and vendors that are closely associated with the automotive performance industry supported by SEMA and it’s members. The OPTIMA Batteries Ultimate Street Car Invitational presented by Ridetech is an exclusive invitation-only event designed to highlight the best-of-the-best street cars in the country.

The event will be a combination of styling, driving, handling and acceleration/braking. The goal of the event is to bring up to 40 of the best street cars in the world to the track and put them through their paces highlighting overall design, build quality and performance. Each event, styling, autocross, 0-60-0 and road course hot laps will be timed individually (styling will be judged) with the overall cumulative times being the final result. The lowest cumulative time for each vehicle, combined with styling points will determine the finishing order. Awards will be presented to the top three finishers in each event and “The OPTIMA Batteries Ultimate Street Car” award will be given to the vehicle posting the lowest cumulative time over the combined events. The styling portion of the event will be determined by a 4-judge panel of automotive industry styling and design professionals with points being awarded on a 1-10 scale (1 being the best and 10 being the worst). Style points will be added to the cumulative time for the final result.

Sponsors, manufacturers and media testing/R&D vehicles will also be included in the event and will participate alongside invited participants. Vehicles not meeting the rules requirements will be run in a separate exhibition class and will not qualify for The Ultimate Street Car.

Rules for the event are simple with safety being paramount. All cars will be required to run on DOT approved tires (no drag radials) and must have at a minimum a functional seatbelt. All drivers will be required to wear a helmet during the road course portion of the event and will be encouraged to wear a helmet during all events. This is a street car event with an emphasis on street driven vehicles that bear a significant resemblance to common production vehicles. Hot rods, muscle cars, sport compacts, import cars and trucks/SUV’s are welcome but no purpose built race cars will be allowed and no kit cars. The “Spirit” of the event is to promote vehicles that are somewhat obtainable and built with aftermarket performance upgrades. Any vehicle not complying with the “Spirit” of the event will not be allowed. Compliance with the “Spirit” of the event will be at the sole discretion of the race director and OPTIMA Batteries. All vehicles will be required to pass a technical inspection to assure safety during the event. Builders and/or owners must drive their own vehicle, and all vehicles must participate in all segments of the event to qualify for “The Ultimate Street Car” award. There is no charge for the invited participants and breakfast and lunch will be included with the invitation.

Source Interlink and other print and television media will provide coverage of the event and consider a feature article on The OPTIMA Batteries Ultimate Street Car. OPTIMA Batteries, Ridetech, BFGoodrich, Baer Brakes and Source Interlink, along with numerous sponsors and forums will be promoting the event via their websites during the time leading up to the event. TV programming is currently being negotiated, and various Internet TV outlets have agreed to provide coverage as well.

Corporate sponsorship for the event is still available. Please contact Jimi Day at 414-702-4939 or [email protected] or visit the event website at www.optimainvitational.com.

Current event sponsors include: OPTIMA Batteries, Ridetech, BFGoodrich, Baer Brakes, HOT ROD Magazine, FM3 Performance Marketing, Pfaff Designs, Shelby Automotive, Lateral-g.net, Pro-touring.com, Silver State Classic Challenge and Good Guys Rod & Custom Association

OUSCI official rules
 

Rules and Regulations for the OPTIMA Batteries Ultimate Streetcar Invitational presented by Ridetech:
1) The OPTIMA Batteries Ultimate Street Car Invitational presented by Ridetech is an invite only event. 10 invitations will be reserved for vehicles displayed during the 2009 SEMA event.
2) Paid sponsors/manufacturers may enter one vehicle of their choice into the event that meets 2009 OUSCI requirements and compete for The Ultimate Street Car
3) All OPTIMA Batteries Ultimate Street Car Invitational presented by Ridetech participants must compete in all segments of the event to qualify for The Ultimate Street Car Award:
a) Styling
b) Autocross
c) Acceleration/braking
d) Lap times (2.2 mile road course)
4) The registered owner or builder of record must drive the vehicle for all events. The owner and/or builder may separate driving duties – no professional drivers will be allowed to compete for The Ultimate Street Car.
5) All drivers will be required to sign a liability waiver. Passengers must be at least 18 years of age and will be required to sign the same liability waiver as driver.
6) A mandatory driver/passenger meeting will be held at Spring Mountain Motorsports Park prior to the first competition.
7) Only official wrist banded drivers and passengers may ride in the cars on the track. The drivers may change during the competition provided they have attended the drivers meeting and have the proper wristband.
8) All vehicles must represent a street capable vehicle with a strong resemblance to a current or former production model. No purpose built race cars or kit cars will be allowed. The only open-wheeled vehicles allowed are '34-and-older domestic vehicles and replicas thereof. Other vehicles such as production “concept” cars may be allowed. This event is designed to be a fun and spirited competition to showcase vehicles conceived and built using parts and manufacturers supported by SEMA.
9) All competitors must have current registration, proof of insurance, and a current driver's license. The following are required: current registration, working headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, and a safety-glass windshield. Side windows must roll up and down in the manner designed by the factory. Full hoods are required on all entries.
10) Each entrant will be issued a number which must be clearly visible on the windshield, side windows or rear window. White shoe polish is acceptable.
11) Participants must use DOT approved tires. Tires will be required to pass a technical inspection at the track. The spirit of the event requires the use of a DOT approved “street” tire – no modifications to tires will be acceptable, including shaving. Any vehicle with tires showing any evidence of modification will be immediately disqualified from the event. No racing tires of any sort, including drag radials, will be allowed.
12) Competitors must use a single set of tires for the entire event, no tire changing between events will be allowed. Tires will be marked during tech. Tire changes will be allowed in the event of a catastrophic failure, but replacements must be of the same manufacturer and model as those approved during tech inspection.
13) Helmet use is required during the lap times segment of the event and is encouraged but not required for any other segment. The autocross course design will attempt to keep speeds below 35 M.P.H.
14) Participating cars must pass a basic safety inspection that will include but may not be limited to the following:
a. Functional seatbelts.
b. Proper brake pedal pressure and travel.
c. Sufficient throttle return spring and secured battery.
d. All lug nuts in place and tight.
e. Hubcaps/clip-on center caps are to be removed.
f. All loose items must be removed from vehicle.
(Floor mats, things hanging from rearview mirror, cassettes, CDs, and glove box, console, trunk items.)
15) Each segment of the event will be timed to 0.00.00 (except the styling event). Times will be cumulative for the four events and the entrant with the lowest cumulative time after all four segments will be awarded the OPTIMA Batteries Ultimate Street Car. Only entrants completing all four segments of the competition will be eligible to win the grand prize. For the three timed events, participants will have the option to throw out the worst time in each segment. Styling segment points will not be adjusted or thrown out.
16) The styling segment of the event will be determined by a 4-judge panel based on overall quality, design and craftsmanship of the vehicle. Styling points will be awarded on a 1-10 scale with 1 being the best and 10 being the worst. The style points will be added to the cumulative time for the overall scoring.
17) Race director and event management staff will have COMPLETE discretion to deny or remove from competition anyone in the event for any reason.
18) The OPTIMA Batteries Ultimate Streetcar Invitational presented by Ridetech will be run rain or shine.

We'll be there and ready to rock.. the main goal will just be faster than we were last year.

:woot:

TEAM :lateral:

Here's a link to a short video from last year's event...

www.hotrod.com/multimedia/hot_rod_videos/6205344/the-optima-batteries-ultimate-street-car-invitational-video/index.html

A couple clarifications:

treadwear rating? last year I remember it being 140, is this year the same?

open to all makes? Car Craft RSE will not let me participate 'cause I have a Volvo

style points? Driving style, car style, hair style...whatcha looking for?

How do I sign up?

I'm in as long as I get an invite.:yes: :yes: :yes: And I'll drive to the track.:thumbsup:
Shameless plug for an invite or sponsor:
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...ck1969/012.jpg

nice cars That is cool:hail: :hail:

style points- looks of the car.

invite only-to participate you'd have to either have one of the event sponsors/vendors want your car to represent them...(really only lat-g or pt.com since most vendors already have their own cars)
or have your car at sema and that it stands out enough to get an on-site invite (10 spots)at the show.

Man... That car looks great with those wheels!

Nice car.

Tire rules have changed for this year and we are going with DOT legal street tires, no drag radials allowed. See rules 11 and 12. As far as what we're looking for, if it drives on the street and can be competitive in the environment that we've created, we're interested. We do specifically support the SEMA event and the sponsors that make this happen, so if your car will be at SEMA or is endorsed by any of the sponsors of the event, that's a good start. If you feel the car is SEMA quality and just didn't get in but belongs in the event, you can complete an entry form which will be available next week on the OUSCI website www.optimainvitational.com. BTW - we're still big fans of the Mullett so we may consider hairstyle points! Thanks for the idea!

SHOT GUN! :D

Have tools... will travel... lets just make sure Penny is running on all 8 cylindes this year to make it fair... :_paranoid

Awesome show last year! Expect bigger, badder, faster, more this year :D :thumbsup:

We hope to be there with a new 2010 Camaro

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/j...ro/Img0007.jpg

CF-71 Freedom Bird
 

Congrats Ty!!! And to everyone involved with the build too, hats off to all of you!!:hail:

Clarification on tires ...
 

Hi Jimi,

Just want to get clarification about tires as the rule #11 states that participants must use DOT approved "street" tires and no racing tires will be allowed. These three tires listed below (BF Goodrich, Hoosier, and Kumho) are DOT approved whereas a Goodyear "slick" is not and there's a lot of chatter going on about their use being allowed. While not recommended for street use, they are technically legal for such; lots of autocrossers do drive on them to and from events. I'd hate to see someone buy a set, bring them to OPTIMA, and then be told no-go. Worse yet, hate to see competitors think that these R-comps aren't allowed, don't consider them eligible for OPTIMA, and then competing against those that have them. If that happens, it will come down to a tire battle instead of one where the best car wins.

If DOT-legal R-comps are permitted by definition per-se, we need to know so we can plan accordingly.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...e_r1_ci2_1.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...o_a6_ci2_l.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...v710_ci2_l.jpg

If the above listed tires (and others of similar configuration) are NOT permitted for OPTIMA, is the Toyo R888 (see below) an approved tire? This is what Steve Rupp had on his car last year.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...XR888_Left.jpg

Thanks,
Mary Pozzi

I believe there will be some clarity on this soon as one of this year's Presenting Sponsors is a tire manufacturer.

Mary, the BFG R1 will be legal, as with the Hoosier R6 and A6 and other comparable tires that have a dot rating. I haven't seen any slicks with a dot rating, but I can tell you we will not allow slicks or shaved rubber.

BFG has stepped up to be the official tire sponsor of our event and I would encourage every one that doesn't have tires to please support our sponsors!

This is what I posted over at pro-touring.com ... am I hired? lol

And the BFG R1 even comes in the much loved 335/18 :yes:

I didn't have any idea that tires would be such a big issue in an amateur competition event! That being said, I'm impressed with the level of competition and the dedication and willingness of these car owners to bring these bad beasts out to the track and beat them like a rented mule! That's the whole purpose of our event and I want to thank everybody for their enthusiasm and input. For those folks that think pro-touring SEMA quality cars are garage art, I've only got one thing to say -

OPTIMA Batteries Ultimate Street Car Invitational -
presented by Ridetech, of course!:woot: :woot: :woot:

Not to throw a wrench in everything, but isn't running R compound tires against the whole "Street Car" idea? It was said that no Drag Radials can be run, but we CAN run Track Racing Radials like the BFG R1 and Hoosier A6????? Let's be honest here, each of these tires are 1 or 2 lines away from actually being a slick.

Running these tires extremely slants the competition in favor of anyone running them. The competition is about street cars... is anyone running these tires on a daily driver??? I highly doubt it.

Shouldn't the competition be car vs. car, not track tire vs. street tire?

Just my opinion.

I'm running R888's on the street now. Having to drive to the event from a pre determined spot could change things.:unibrow:

I'm driving to the even from CA on whatever tires I'm going to run.. even if they are R1 tires.. It was fun being the only car there without a trailer..

hope there's no rain.. :willy:

On a practicality note: how do you get those race tires up to working temp before an autocross events? They don't work particularly well cold. Tire warmers next? Keep it street I say and stop at R888, R1R etc. Those are actually fine on the street and semi cold. Just another 2c. ;)

I completely agree with this !!

Heres a Idea....Since BFG stepped up as the event sponsor how about we all have to run there tires?????
(didnt mean them supply )
Id be happy to run them ... always worked well for me in any environment.
BFG you listening, I got a DEMON that needs Optima and BFG plastered on the car !!!

Bfg!
 

Or ask BFG to supply tires to all cars competing in the event!! Then it would truly be a car vs car challenge and the tire issue would be completely eliminated! IMHO

Jimi,
Any chance Big Red will be there to do some exhibition runs?

This year I will be bringing my video camera.:thumbsup:

David

No Big Red this year but we'll have some other really cool stuff for the exhibition class. Can't make everybody happy on the tire rules, we decided to go DOT because it's technically street legal. I hear everybody and we'll potentially look for another solution next year. If you are reading this and were someone that asked us for this rules change, speak up!!!

The OPTIMA Batteries Ultimate Street Car Invitational presented by Ridetech has grown beyond our wildest imagination. The car count is still the same, but the media and PR for the event is growing daily. We want to get as many enthusiasts and like-minded individuals involved as we can, and I know many of you on this forum have expressed your wishes to be at the event. I'm looking for 10-15 individuals that would like to be part of the OUSCI race control team. We have opportunities for the tech, timing & scoring, and operations team. We can't pay your way to SEMA but if you're in the area and want to hang out an extra day, you can be part of the Ultimate Street Car team. We'll make sure you have a ride from Vegas to Pahrump and back, and each team member will receive a special OUSCI team t-shirt, breakfast and lunch at the track, and special recognition at the awards ceremony.

The event is Saturday November 7th, gates open at 7am and close at 5pm. We will try to have an organizational meeting one day during the SEMA event to make sure we have everything in place, and we'll buy dinner or lunch there too. If you're interested in joining the team, please email me at [email protected] and let me know what team you'd like to join. Thanks everybody for your consideration, we're looking forward to a kick-a$$ event!!

Jimi,
Last year I had some good BBQ. Will the same guys be working this year event?

David

Yup, we're gonna invite him back.

:thumbsup:

Cheers,
Mary Pozzi

How to meet goodguys At GoodGuys.
 

Hey guys I got a chance to meet and hang out W/Jimi Day from FM3 this weekend at the K.C.GoodGuys.Man what a great guy. And because of Jimi I had the chance to meet some more nice people in this hobbie of ours. If you are at a Good Guys dont miss the chance to meet Jimi & Mike in optima battery booth.They are GoodGuys and an asset to our hobbie.Keep up the good work. Thanks Scott.

Website says 0-100-0 but first info post here says 0-60-0 ?

6600 miles this year on RA1s and 5 track days here. I only know of one car in this community thats daily driven and its Tyler from ATS....

It's 0-60-0, not 0-100-0, sorry for the confusion.

Jimi,
Can you post a list of cars that WILL be at the event this year? I heard some of the cars that will be attending, but would like to get a full event list.

David