Five Reasons Why You Should Enter an OPTIMA Street Car Event

The OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational (OUSCI) is still visible in our rear view mirror, but already competitors are eyeing up a return to Las Vegas next year. With that, we'll give you five reasons why you should run your street car in OPTIMA's Ultimate Street Car Series, presented by Advance Auto Parts.

1. Almost all of the OUSCI field participated in a qualifying event. We've had literally thousands inquire over the years about running in the OUSCI, but only a relative handful are invited each year. While we used to extend quite a few invitations, the demand increased so much, that the most equitable way to fill the field now seems to be in the qualifying series and the schedule has already been released!
2. Invitations aren't always given to the event winner. Class winners at the early season qualifiers may grab the lion's share of the invitations at those events, but as the season rolls on and more cars punch their tickets to Las Vegas, that opens up opportunities further down in the finishing order. Some folks who picked the right car and the right qualifier earned invitations just for finishing the weekend at some of the late-season events. While many in the OUSCI field are among the fastest street cars in the world, we don't want average enthusiasts who pour their hearts and souls into their cars to think participating in the OUSCI is beyond their reach. Summit Racing sponsors a Spirit of the Event invitation at each qualifying event and many of those invitations are handed out to people whose cars may not be as competitive on the track, but their enthusiasm is unrivaled.
3. More than one invitation is given out at qualifying events. The OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car series is comprised of seven different classes, so plenty of invitations are up for grabs at each stop along the way. Beyond those invitations won at qualifying events, points invitations are also handed out at the end of the regular season, based on a competitor's best two events. Some events will have more competitive fields than others, but if your car has run consistently strong each time out, there's a good chance it will earn enough points to get to Las Vegas.
4. Practice makes perfect. One of the biggest advantages competitors who ran in multiple qualifying events have is their familiarity with the format of the OUSCI. Not only do they get a better feel for the unique events like the Design & Engineering Challenge and Peak Performance Challenge, but they have more opportunities to dial in their cars.
5. Qualifiers are a fun time with great people. Let's not forget why we all do stuff with our cars- because it's FUN! The format of the OUSCI became so popular, that an entire series has been spawned using the same format and now takes place all over the country. You'll also find a lot of great folks who are more than willing to offer assistance and advice to folks who are looking to step up their involvement.

With that, we encourage you to get out and enjoy your car next season. We'll be looking for you!