{"id":999930,"date":"2023-07-31T07:36:05","date_gmt":"2023-07-31T14:36:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bangshift.com\/?p=999930"},"modified":"2023-07-31T07:36:05","modified_gmt":"2023-07-31T14:36:05","slug":"optimas-search-for-the-ultimate-street-car-at-portland-the-last-west-coast-event-of-the-year-brings-plenty-of-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bangshift.com\/bangshiftapex\/optimas-search-for-the-ultimate-street-car-at-portland-the-last-west-coast-event-of-the-year-brings-plenty-of-action\/","title":{"rendered":"OPTIMA’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car at Portland: The last West Coast event of the year brings plenty of action!"},"content":{"rendered":"
(Words by Jim McIlvaine, Photos by Kaleb Kelley) <\/strong>Usually, after four events in OPTIMA’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car, presented by Advance Auto Parts, we can start predicting who might be in the championship chase and who might be setting themselves up to earn invitations to the SEMA Show and OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational, based on their projected points for the season. However, 2023 is an unusual year. With more than half of the events run, there are still many unknowns. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>The reason is that three of the first four stops in this year’s series took place West of the Rocky Mountains. That means a large percentage of competitors have only run one event so far with three events East of the Mississippi, many haven’t even run their first event yet. The best we can do at this point is to tell you who the top finishers were at the Portland event and who the cars are to beat after the first four events:<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Viking Performance <\/span>GT Class (post-1989, 3,200+ pounds, 2wd sedans, 4-seater coupes, etc…)<\/span>
\n<\/span>1. Dave Schotz, 2022 Chevrolet Camaro<\/span>
\n<\/span>2. Matt Ramirez, 2004 Ford Mustang <\/span>
\n<\/span>3. Jake Jackson, 2018 Chevrolet Camaro<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Current Points Leader: Dave Schotz 2022 Chevrolet Camaro<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Classic Car Liquidators GTV Class (pre-1990, 3200+ pounds)<\/span>
\n<\/span>1. Frankie Trutanic, 1986 Buick Regal<\/span>
\n<\/span>2. Rick Ray, 1971 Chevrolet Camaro<\/span>
\n<\/span>3. Scott Timmons, 1967 Chevrolet Camaro<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Current Points Leader: Ryan Breezee 1969 Chevrolet Camaro<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>GTS Class (post-1989, 3200+ pounds, two-seaters & awd vehicles)<\/span>
\n<\/span>1. Jordan Priestley, 2021 Tesla Model 3<\/span>
\n<\/span>2. Koda Atwood, 2022 Tesla Model 3<\/span>
\n<\/span>3. Brad Larsen, 2016 Chevrolet Corvette<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Current Points Leader: Bob Sobey 2013 Nissan GT-R<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>GTL Class (non-compacts under 3200 pounds)<\/span>
\n<\/span>1. Austin Keys, 2002 Subaru WRX<\/span>
\n<\/span>2. Ricky Lammi, 1977 Datsun 280Z <\/span>
\n<\/span>3. Terry Breezee, 2008 Chevrolet Corvette<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Current Points Leader: Austin Keys 2002 Subaru WRX<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>No Limit Engineering GTT Class (Trucks & SUVs over 3200 pounds)<\/span>
\n<\/span>1. Dustin Reed, 1972 Chevrolet C10<\/span>
\n<\/span>2. Connor Hoovler, 1972 Ford F100<\/span>
\n<\/span>3. David Carroll, 1974 Chevrolet Blazer<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Current Points Leader: Dustin Reed 1972 Chevrolet C10<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>GeauxMoto GTC Class (two-wheel drive compacts, 107-inch wheelbase or less)<\/span>
\n<\/span>1. Matt Davis, 2021 Mazda MX-5<\/span>
\n<\/span>2. Jordan Filip, 2003 Toyota Corolla<\/span>
\n<\/span>3. Sean Fogli, 2004 Honda S2000<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Current Points Leader: Dayton de la Houssaye 2016 Mazda MX-5<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Arrington Performance Lucky 7 Outlaw Class (relaxed aero rules, pro drivers allowed)<\/span>
\n<\/span>1. Duke Langley, 2002 Chevrolet Corvette<\/span>
\n<\/span>2. Danny Weller, 2019 Chevrolet Camaro<\/span>
\n<\/span>3. John Sims, 2011 Ford Mustang<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Current Points Leader: Duke Langley 2002 Chevrolet Corvette <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>2023 OPTIMA Search for the Ultimate Street Car Schedule<\/span>
\n<\/span>Thunderhill Raceway March 3-5<\/span>
\n<\/span>NOLA Motorsports Park March 10-12<\/span>
\n<\/span>Laguna Seca May 5-7<\/span>
\n<\/span>Portland International Raceway July 21-23<\/span>
\n<\/span>Road America July 29-30<\/span>
\n<\/span>Daytona International Speedway August 11-13<\/span>
\n<\/span>VIRginia International Raceway October 6-8<\/span>
\n<\/span>OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational Las Vegas October 31- November 6<\/span><\/strong>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
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