Ridetech drivers and Ridetech sponsored drivers going to OUSCI (OPTIMA ULTIMATE STREET CAR INVITATIONAL) in Las Vegas (driver 6)
Bret Voelkel is a fixture in autocross and road racing nationwide. If you didn’t see Bret at a Goodguys event, USCA Optima qualifier, American Street Car Series or organized racing event, it was likely because he was rooting on his high-schooler at a championship marching band contest instead. Family and racing are what keeps a smile on our Grand Poobah’s face.
When it comes to the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational, Bret and RideTech were on-board immediately as the very first sponsor in 2008. In the inaugural year, Bret ran his orange ’68 Camaro ‘Velocity’ with approximately 27 other competitors. I guess the idea of racing a street car was relatively new at this point because only 11 of the invitees actually finished all of the segments of the one-day event.
Still wanting to know more about Bret’s experiences in years-past, I wondered what some of the highlights are for him from previous year’s events. “There are a couple,” Bret said. “The last two years I drove my 33 Ford. I loved winning the speed stop segment against the AWD/ABS cars in 2012. I also remember while I was on my hot laps on the road course, there was a guy in a drifting semi that was doing a burnout in the pits. About the time I came around to the front stretch, I see this huge cloud of smoke drifting across the track. I thought there had been some kind of accident or explosion. I ignored Tom Cruise’s advice to go high and stopped dead in the middle of the track. The good thing about that little incident is that they sent me out again immediately, so I had hot tires.”
I asked Bret if he were to pick a favorite car out of his OUSCI racing experiences, what would it be? He responded, “I’m really comfortable in the 48 hour Camaro. That car does nothing wrong, it’s comfortable to drive on the highway, it’s fast and predictable on the track and it’s cast iron reliable.”
When asked if he had raced Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Bret said, “Nope, but I’m looking forward to it. I loved the overall Spring Mountain facility; it’s a beautiful oasis in the middle of the desert. But I can honestly say that I have never gotten a good rhythm on that track, never did really well there. I’m very much looking forward to LVMS.”
With the USCA qualifying events running on famous tracks all over the country, I was curious to know which were Bret’s favorite. “Daytona, Michigan, Laguna Seca – in that order,” Bret replied. “Daytona, just because of the history there, Michigan, because I ran really well there and Laguna Seca because of the world-class scenery on the road rally and, of course, the infamous corkscrew on the track.” Bret continued to say, “…there was no event that I would not go back to. I LOVED the autocross at Texas, I love the overall experience at Road America (even though we crashed a car and blew up a motor there) and really enjoyed the entire event at St. Louis as well.”
Wanting to know what is left on the list to conquer, Bret firmly said, “COTA, Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.” Something tells me, with Bret’s influence, we could see this track on a schedule as soon.
Seeing Bret run two cars this season, a Mustang and a Camaro, had me wondering what his plans were for the championship. “This year I’m driving the 48 Hour Camaro, it has never been better and I’ve made no changes on it for the last month.” Bret explained, “The Lingenfelter 417 LS3 engine now has 22,000 HARD miles on it and has never run better. I think I can finish in the top ten overall. Thankfully, I have dozens of RideTech customers who have the capacity to finish well, maybe even win. I’d much rather see one of our customers ahead of me on the podium. I don’t have to get a trophy to win.”
Lastly, I wanted to get a bit of advice for the first-time OUSCI participants since there will be many this year with the introduction of the USCA qualifying events, and Bret had this to say: “Be patient and have fun. There are a lot of really good cars and drivers here with a lot of experience, don’t stress about beating them. Take care of yourself and your car.”