OUSCI: Post-SEMA Streetcar Challenge

November 15, 2013
Story By
Kristin Cline

For the past six years, the day following SEMA show, booth vehicles head out to Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch for a day of racing. Putting to the test all the products they've been advertising during the show. As the Optima Ultimate Streetcar Challenge Invitational (OUSCI) has progressed, competition has stiffened.

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Each year, a number of vehicles qualify at Ultimate Street Car Association motorsports events across the country and come to Vegas to show their cars in Optima's Streetcar Corral. Another group of vehicles are chosen during the SEMA show and invited to attend the one-day event which features an autocross competition, hot-lap challenge, acceleration-braking test, and judged design.

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You'll never know which vehicles you'll see competing - with past winners including an original Shelby Cobra, late-model Camaros, and this year, a 1965 Corvette piloted by Brain Hobaugh who secured the win by a solid ten point margin over last year’s champion and second place finisher Mark Stielow driving a 1967 Camaro. Only one point separated second and third place with Danny Popp in a 2010 Camaro completing the top three.

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“The drivers pushed their cars as hard as they possibly could, and their lap times show it. All the participants were fantastic, and all of the spectators at the Spring Mountain Motor Resort and Country Club were able to witness a truly exciting event,” says Cam Douglass, director of product development and marketing for OPTIMA Batteries. “It was a terrific example of how capable and entertaining street-legal cars of all makes can be. All three of the top finishers proved their cars are truly exceptional performers, delivering outstanding results in each of the various driving challenges.”

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The winning 1965 Corvette took top finishes in both the Ridetech Street Challenge Autocross as well as the Wilwood Disc Brakes Speed Stop Challenge. Finishing first in the BFGoodrich Hot Lap Challenge was Danny Popp in the 2010 Camaro. The top design pick went to Alan Palmer and his 1965 Ford Mustang.

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You can catch the action yourself via the OPTIMA Batteries Search for the Ultimate Street Car television series airing on MAV TV in 2014. Check www.ultimatestreetcarassociation.com for more details on the Series and the television air dates. See gallery below for more photos. -Kristin Cline Header image courtesy of OPTIMA Batteries.

OUSCI: Post-SEMA Streetcar Challenge

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