We’ve been fans of the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational and it’s qualifiers like the Midwest Muscle Car Challenge for the last few years and have gotten to know some of the characters that compete at these events pretty well. This years Heidts Performance Car Challenge, which will be held July 15-17, promises to be a hit thanks to great cars and great drivers like James Shipka in the Optima One Lap Camaro, and Fast Mary Pozzi behind the wheel of her bitchin Camaro. Do you want to join in on the fun? Sign up before June 20th and get a $40 discount on your entry. 

Fun is what these events are all about. Think about it, a chance to run your car around an autocross to test your skills behind the wheel, and also to put that hot rod you spent years building through its paces. Oh, and I forgot to mention you also get to hit the road coars, the speed stop challenge, and a go kart enduro race! I’m owning you guys on that one. So bring it. Oh, the official press release from Heidts is below. 

Official Release

James and Mary recently shared seat time in the OPTIMA Batteries One Lap Camaro at the 2011 One Lap of America.  After 3900 gruelling miles, this team of accomplished drivers walked away as 2011 Vintage American Class Champions. 

James and Mary will compete head to head and alongside the rest of the competitors at the Heidts Performance Car Challenge for a coveted OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational berth. James will be driving the first generation Camaro known as the OPTIMA One Lap Camaro. Mary will be competing in her beloved, but recently revamped, second generation Camaro.   Don’t miss your chance to run with two of the pro-touring worlds most popular drivers and cars.

This event features a full schedule of high horsepower fun including:
Heidts Hot Rod & Muscle car Parts shop tour and luncheon
QA1 Road Rally
Rt 66 Car Show
Heidts Road Course Challenge
Carbon Kustoms Karting Enduro
Nitto Autocross Challenge
Wilwood Braking Challenge
Strange Engineering Awards Banquet

The event is all about the experience, so whether you are an experienced or novice driver, we would love to see you at the Heidts Performance Car Challenge. Heidts is offering a $40.00 discount to all participants who sign up before June 20th.

For all the information on Heidts Performance Car Challenge, and to enter your car, click here or on the logo below.

Below is a bit of information from the site. Sounds like fun doesn’t it?

    Heidts Hot Rods and Musclecar Parts is proud to announce the inaugural running of the Heidts Performance Car Challenge. This event will provide a dynamic proving ground to test the handling and road manners of some of America’s best-built musclecars. The event is open to domestic peformance vehicles of all years.

   This celebration of horsepower will kick off on Friday afternoon at Heidts Headquarters in Wauconda, Illinois. Participants will be treated to a facility tour and a barbecue. There will event registration staff on hand to get all of the required documents signed prior to race day. After event registration, the Road Rally begins. Participants will take a scenic drive from Heidts to the Holiday Inn in Joliet, Illinois. Bench racing and spending time with friends will conclude the schedule for Friday.

    Saturday morning the racing action kicks into full swing at Autobahn Country Club. The Road Course portion of the event takes place on the North course. This course is a 1.46-mile, 9 turn, adrenaline factory. A full day on the road course assures everyone plenty of track time. Fun will be had by all, whether you are an accomplished veteran, or a rookie looking to see what you and your car can do.

    After a day on the road course, Saturday evening, participants will be divided into teams and tackle the Autobahn Karting Course. The Carbon Kustoms Karting Enduro promises to be an exciting display of strategy, teamwork and last but not least, flat out fun!

    On Sunday participants will return to Autobahn to test their skills on the Autocross course and the Braking Challenge. The Autocross course will thrill both the drivers and spectators and push the entries to the ragged edge of performance. The Braking Challenge promises to be an exciting event as drivers test the limits of acceleration, braking and driver skills all at the same time!

    If that’s not enough RPM to put you on the rev limiter, The Heidts Performance Car Challenge will also include a Car Show showcasing some of the most beautiful automotive craftsmanship on the planet. Awards will be given to the winner of each class, and our team of judges will select the Best of Show.

    On Sunday evening the event will be capped off with the participant dinner and awards ceremony at the track.

    Entry fee is $395 for the driving event. Entry includes one vehicle, two adults, t-shirt, goodie bag, lunch on Friday and Sunday evening Awards Dinner.

Entry fee for the Car Show is $25 and includes two adults, t-shirt and goodie bag.