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2 Lateral-g.net Members competing in the OPTIMA Ultimate Streetcar Invitational


Two Lateral-g.net members have been invited to participate in the OPTIMA Ultimate Streetcar Invitational presented By HOT ROD Magazine on Saturday November 8 at the Spring Mountain Motorsports Park in Pahrump, NV. The OPTIMA Invitational is a multi-event competition to determine the baddest streetcar in the country. The event consists of styling, autocross, acceleration/braking and lap time competitions with points being awarded for each facet of the event. The car accumulating the most points over the four events will be crowned the OPTIMA Batteries Ultimate Streetcar.

The rules are fairly simple: the car needs to resemble a production car, no specialty race cars or kit cars and it must run on street tires with a 180 tread wear rating or higher. Drivers must have a helmet and a harness for the event, that’s about it. We’ve scheduled the race to run the day after SEMA, and Pahrump is about an hour or so from Vegas. The field will consist of 30-40 cars from some of the best builders in the country and participation is by invite only.


The OPTIMA Batteries Ultimate Streetcar Invitational
Presented by HOT ROD Magazine
When: Saturday November 8, 2008
Where: Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch, Pahrump, NV.


The OPTIMA Batteries Ultimate Streetcar Invitational is designed to give builders and owners of some the world’s most awesome streetcars the opportunity to show their stuff on a closed circuit professional road racing course. The event will be a combination of driving, handling and acceleration/braking. The goal of the event is bring 30-40 of the best street cars in the world (this event coincides with SEMA, held in Las Vegas) to the track and put them through their paces, highlighting styling, handling, acceleration/braking and overall build quality.

Each event, styling, autocross, 0-60-0 and road course laps will be timed (styling will be judged) and points will be awarded based on a classifying system. Awards will be presented to the top three in each event and “The OPTIMA Batteries Ultimate Streetcar” award will be given to the vehicle accumulating the most points over the combined events.

Rules for the event will be relatively simple with safety being paramount. All cars will be required to run on DOT approved tires with a tread wear rating of 180 or higher and must have a minimum four point safety harness. All drivers will be required to wear a helmet during the road course portion of the event and they will be encouraged to wear the helmet during all events. This is a street car event with an emphasis on street cars that bear a significant resemblance to common marks. Hot rods, muscle cars, sport compacts, European cars and trucks/SUV’s are welcome but no purpose built race cars will be allowed and no kit cars. The idea here is promote cars that are somewhat obtainable and built with aftermarket performance upgrades. Any car 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 Optima Batteries. All cars will be required to pass a simple technical inspection to assure safety during the event. Car builders and owners can make the choice to drive or bring in their own driver, and all vehicles must participate in all segments of the event to qualify for “The Ultimate Street Car” award.

HOT ROD Magazine will provide exclusive coverage of the event and will feature The OPTIMA Batteries Ultimate Street Car. They will also be promoting the event on the HOT ROD Magazine website during the time leading up to the event. OPTIMA Batteries will also be promoting the event on their website as will other sponsors. Television coverage in currently being negotiated, but various internet TV outlets have agreed to provide coverage as well.

Corporate sponsorship for the event is available with cash being the most significant necessity. Track rental fees, medical services, technical and safety staff, food and beverages in addition to several other things are all needed to put an event like this together. Air Ride Technologies, K&N and Pfaff Designs have all graciously offered to sponsor portions of the event. We will be looking to sponsors to provide product support as well for the individual and overall class winners.