OPTIMA

Optima Brings Expanded High-Performance Action to the 2022 SEMA Show

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DIAMOND BAR, CA (10.04.22) – The OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational (OUSCI) is bringing live, action-packed excitement to the SEMA Show, growing its activation with three of its five segments unfolding during the 55th annual trade show, Nov. 1-4, 2022, in Las Vegas, NV.

The competition’s Peak Performance Challenge (a timed segment) and the Lingenfelter Design & Engineering Challenge took place at the SEMA Show for the first time in 2021. Those two segments will return to this year’s SEMA Show, while the Autocross portion of the competition makes its debut at the Las Vegas Convention Center’s Bronze Lot during the exclusive trade-only event. The remainder of the OUSCI continues Nov. 5-7, 2022, at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

“As an expanded feature at the 2022 SEMA Show, OPTIMA’s Ultimate Street Car Invitational is an iconic competition that will showcase the aftermarket’s potential,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “With modifications that enhance the performance of the vehicles, the competing cars and trucks embody what the SEMA Show is all about. It’s going to be exciting to watch the action up close and in person.”

The OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational is growing its activation at the 2022 SEMA Show by hosting three of its five segments during the Nov. 1-4 trade show. 

With six regional qualifying events spanning more than eight months, the OUSCI includes the country’s top road-worthy modified vehicles. Top performers from the regional events receive coveted invitations to compete in the final competition, with a handful of spots reserved for vehicles selected at the SEMA Show.

Since 2008 when the OUSCI debuted, an additional highlight for Showgoers has been a display of all 100 competition vehicles at the SEMA Show in an area known as Optima Alley. At the end of the Show, the vehicles parade out of the convention center and make their way to Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where they compete in a five-part competition. Last year two of the segments kicked off the competition and took place at the SEMA Show. This year, the SEMA Show will host three of the five segments.

“It’s rare to be able to witness so many vehicles push the limits of performance and agility,” said Gattuso. “To see the competition unfold live is exhilarating and inspiring.”

The Bronze Lot is located in the outdoor area south of South Hall. For details about the 2022 SEMA Show, including a floor plan showing where the Bronze Lot is or to apply for credentials to attend the SEMA Show, visit www.semashow.com.

OPTIMA Brings Expanded High-Performance Action to the 2022 SEMA Show

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DIAMOND BAR, CA (09.30.22) – The OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational (OUSCI) is bringing live, action-packed excitement to the SEMA Show, growing its activation with three of its five segments unfolding during the 55th annual trade show.

The competition’s Peak Performance Challenge (a timed segment) and the Lingenfelter Design & Engineering Challenge took place at the SEMA Show for the first time in 2021. Those two segments will return to this year’s SEMA Show, while the Autocross portion of the competition makes its debut at the Las Vegas Convention Center’s Bronze Lot during the exclusive trade-only event. The remainder of the OUSCI continues November 5–7, at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

“As an expanded feature at the 2022 SEMA Show, OPTIMA’s Ultimate Street Car Invitational is an iconic competition that will showcase the aftermarket’s potential,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “With modifications that enhance the performance of the vehicles, the competing cars and trucks embody what the SEMA Show is all about. It’s going to be exciting to watch the action up close and in person.”

With six regional qualifying events spanning more than eight months, the OUSCI includes the country’s top road-worthy, modified vehicles. Top performers from the regional events receive coveted invitations to compete in the final competition, with a handful of spots reserved for vehicles selected at the SEMA Show.

Since 2008 when the OUSCI debuted, an additional highlight for showgoers has been a display of all 100 competition vehicles at the SEMA Show in an area known as OPTIMA Alley. At the end of the Show, the vehicles parade out of the convention center and make their way to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where they participate in a five-part competition. Last year, two of the segments kicked off the competition, which took place at the SEMA Show. This year, the SEMA Show will host three of the five segments.

“It’s rare to be able to witness so many vehicles push the limits of performance and agility,” said Gattuso. “To see the competition unfold live is exhilarating and inspiring.”

The Bronze Lot is located in the outdoor area south of South Hall. For details about the 2022 SEMA Show, November 1–4 in Las Vegas—including a floorplan showing the location of the Bronze Lot, or to apply for credentials to attend—visit www.SEMAShow.com.

OPTIMA Searches for the Ultimate Aussie Street Car

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (11.15.2019) – The OPTIMA search for Australia’s Ultimate Street Car will go down at Calder Park, Melbourne Australia on November 16 and 17.

The Aussie OPTIMA Search for the Ultimate Street Car (OSUSC) event is modeled after the American OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational (OUSCI) which is held each year in Las Vegas. Both events aim to discover the best all around street car in terms of performance, fit and finish, engineering, and comfort.

OUSCI contestants build their cars with corner-carving semi-slick tires, forged three-piece wheels, exotic suspension, wild aerodynamics, and injected powerplants. First-gen Camaros, aero-laden Corvettes, off-tap Mitsubishi Evos, Dodge Vipers, BMW M5s, and ground-hugging pick-ups are just a few examples of the vehicles you may see at the event!

The Aussie OPTIMA Search for the Ultimate Street Car (OSUSC) competition is broken down into several disciplines including a Motorkhana, a time trial on the race circuit, drag racing, and a go-to-whoa-style competition called Speed Stop. OSUSC classes include Classic (1989 or earlier), Modern (post-1990), Fast Four (turbo and aspirated, all-wheel-drive, rotary or three-cylinder), and SUV/4×4.

Wayne Harris picture at LAX on Tuesday evening November 12th as he prepared to catch a 15 hours flight to Melbourne.

Although the focus of the event is to drive your car to its limits, there will also be a static car show and a Sound and Vision competition.

The dB Drag Racing Association (dBDRA) will be officiating the car stereo contest at the event. The dBDRA offers five different formats of competition, including dB Drag Racing, Bass Race, Psychlone, Top Dog, and Bagger Beatz! Each format is further divided into various classes based on the sound equipment installed and the extent to which vehicle modifications have been made. The dBDRA will be represented by judges from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. The entry fee for the sound competition is $20.

While class winners get a trophy to take home, the overall winner of the Australian Ultimate Street Car competition scores a trip to Las Vegas OUSCI event and SEMA.

Let’s get ready for Australia’s Ultimate Street Car, at Calder Park, Melbourne, on November 16 and 17. Visit driveusca.com/optima-au/ for more information.

Visit dbdragracing.com for more information on the car stereo competition.