It was a battle to the finish with three Chevrolets vying for the top spot but in the end the 1965 Corvette driven masterfully by Brian Hobaugh emerged victorious at the 2013 Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational. This car is special as it has been in Brian’s family since 1983 when he dad bought it as a car to use as an autocross runner. The previous owner had also autocrossed the car before selling it to the Hobaugh family so as incredible as it is to say, there has not been a year of this car’s life that is hasn’t been raced! That’s awesome! Hobaugh and his father have been flogging this machine for 30-years on their own. We’re sure that this is one of the greatest victories that the Corvette has scored since rolling out of the old St. Louis ‘Vette plant in 1965.

Hobaugh has his hands full with the likes of Mark Stielow and Danny Popp breathing down his neck as the competition neared its end. He was obviously able to fend them all off and when the day was done, Brian Hobaugh was holding one of the most prestigious trophies in the high performance street car world. Congrats to him and his family, especially since the car is such a cool piece and a part of their history!

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE FULL STANDINGS AND A TON MORE INFORMATION ON THE 2013, 6TH ANNUAL OPTIMA ULTIMATE STREET CAR INVITATIONAL 

1965 Corvette Wins 2013 OPTIMA^® Ultimate Street Car Title

Despite Incredibly Intense Competition, Brian Hobaugh is Named Overall Champion

 

 November 9, 2013 (PAHRUMP, Nev.) – The Sixth Annual OPTIMA^®  Ultimate Street Car Invitational, presented by Royal Purple Synthetic Oil and K&N Filters, successfully hosted a full field of 58 participants driving the world’s best street vehicles, in front of the largest spectator crowd the event has ever seen. A day full of amazing vehicle performances, impressive lap times and surprising finishes made for the most memorable display of competition in OPTIMA Invitational franchise history. Ultimately, Brian Hobaugh was crowned the overall winner, driving his 1965 Corvette to top finishes in the Ridetech Street Challenge Autocross as well as the Wilwood Disc Brakes Speed Stop Challenge. The competition was very close, with defending champion, Mark Stielow driving a 1967 Camaro and former OUSCI Champion, Danny Popp piloting his 2010 Camaro, built by Lingenfelter Performance Engineering.

 

The 2013 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational top 10 overall finishers are listed below. The individual event results and complete scores for all participants can be found on the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational website at http://www.optimainvitational.com/.

 

Top Ten Overall Finishers

Brian Hobaugh, 1965 Corvette

Mark Stielow, 1967 Camaro

Danny Popp, 2010 Camaro

Brian Finch, 1971 Camaro

Karl Dunn, 1968 Camaro

Todd Earsley, 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII

Steve Kepler, 2013 Nissan GT-R

Kyle Tucker, 2012 Camaro

Bret Voelkel, 1933 Ford Coupe

Larry Woo, 1968 Camaro

 

Tight Finish in the Top Three

Brian Hobaugh secured the win by a solid ten point margin over last year’s champion and second place finisher Mark Stielow. Only one point separated second and third place with Danny Popp completing the top three.

 

“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.”

Twin-Turbo Mercedes-Benz Sets the Pace

The BFGoodrich Hot Lap Challenge was once again incredibly popular with both drivers and spectators. The pace-setting lap of 1:50.8 was set by a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S-Model 4MATIC Wagon driven by 4-time SCCA World Challenge GT Champion Randy Pobst. The potent 577 horsepower twin-turbo Wagon also served as a camera car, following competitors as they made their laps and acquiring footage to be seen on an upcoming episode of the recently-announced 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.

2013 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational Event Sponsors
The OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational is presented by Royal Purple Synthetic Oil and K&N Filters. This year’s event sponsors are BFGoodrich Tires, Detroit Speed and Engineering, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, Ridetech and Wilwood Disc Brakes. And finally, associate sponsors include Magnaflow Performance Exhaust, The Roadster Shop, Centerforce Performance Clutch, MAC Tools and Jet-Hot Coatings.

 

About OPTIMA^® Batteries
OPTIMA^® YELLOWTOP^®, REDTOP^® and BLUETOP^® batteries are available through leading battery distributors globally. When looking for OPTIMA Batteries consumers should look for the unique, colored-top and SIX PACK™ design which OPTIMA is known throughout the world. In 2012, OPTIMA added to its product line with the innovative OPTIMA^® Chargers Digital 1200 Battery Charger for all automotive and marine batteries. To find out more information or purchase OPTIMA products consumers may visit www.optimabatteries.com. Consumers can also call 1-888-8OPTIMA (1-888-867-8462) for additional information.

 

About Johnson Controls Power Solutions
Johnson Controls Power Solutions is the global leader in lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for Start-Stop, hybrid and electric vehicles. Our 50 manufacturing, recycling and distribution centers supply more than one-third of the world’s lead-acid batteries to major automakers and aftermarket retailers. Through our innovations we are building the advanced battery industry for hybrid and electric vehicles.  We were the first company in the world to produce lithium-ion batteries for mass-production hybrid vehicles. Our commitment to sustainability is evidenced by our world-class technology, manufacturing and recycling capabilities.

 

About Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. Our 168,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles. Our commitment to sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. Through our growth strategies and by increasing market share we are committed to delivering value to shareholders and making our customers successful. In 2013, Corporate Responsibility Magazine recognized Johnson Controls as the #14 company in its annual “100 Best Corporate Citizens” list. For additional information, please visit www.johnsoncontrols.com.