(Photos courtesy of Optima Batteries) – It is one of the most unique and cool events in the automotive universe and this year’s running was the hardest fought yet. Calling back on the spirit of wide open Formula Libre racing events in the 1950s and combining the technology and creativity of car builders today, the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational is as unique an even as any other in the country. It is remiss to call this an “event” because the reality is that it is several “events” under one umbrella. This year the shindig was held at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and as it years past the contests were as follows: hot laps on a road corse, a challenging autocross, a speed stop challenge, and a road rally. Each of these pieces of the competition are scored and this year it was Danny Popp who took top honors in his modified 2003 Corvette. It is Popp’s second championship at the event and by all accounts he drove to the pinnacle of his ability over the course of the two days at LVMS.
The OUSCI is about a lot more than just who wins though. It is about gathering up the most diverse and unique group of street legal cars in America and letting them hang it all out at a top level facility. From station wagons, to Fairmonts, to dune buggies, to modern super cars, some of the competitors raced their way into the event and others were chosen to compete because they were so unique and/or interesting. Your eyes will bug out a couple of times as you look through these photos simply because you’ll see cars on course with stuff that makes so logical sense at all but since when has hot rodding been a logical business?
This is our first (of a few) looks at the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational road course action. We’ll be back with more tomorrow and we’ll be showing you all of the other facets of the event as well. Hardcore, fun, fast, and unique….that’s OUSCI!
I’m diggin’ that Fairmont. Is there a build thread on that somewhere?
The old Buick is really so cool.
That Buick (green) has a LS9 engine in it…….what a sleeper! I’m pretty sure, I saw it at a car show.
Gotta love the Buick!