The editors of Hot Rod are in the process now of building this ’68 Chevy Van for the 2012 SEMA Show in affiliation with eBay Motors. Working with Mackey’s Hot Rods of Huntington Beach, CA, they not only sourced the love machine, but every single last part needed exclusively on eBay Motors.

While they would love for you to vote for them, the key to this campaign is that you can be the winner. Vote for your favorite, even if it isn’t the Gasser Van and at the same time enter to win a $5,000 dream garage.

So whether you’re into rally, racing, off-road, or showcars, this competition has everything to offer so join in the fun and pick your favorite. See the entire video series now at www.builtfromebay.com

The editors of Hot Rod, Lowrider, european car, and Four Wheeler are in the process now of building SEMA projects sourcing not only the car, but every single last part needed exclusively on eBay Motors. Best of all, you can vote for your favorite and at the same time enter to win a $5,000 Dream Garage.

The effort is BUILT from eBay® – A web series that takes four automotive magazines and their selected garages and creates a competition to showcase eBay Motors amazing selection. Each team starts with the purchase of a niche-enthusiast vehicle, and then searches out and purchases each and every part to go with them. Whether those parts be new, retro, performance or new-old-stock, these four teams are being tested to pull it off.

So whether you’re into rally, racing, off-road, or showcars, this competition has everything to offer so join in the fun and pick your favorite. See the entire video series now at www.builtfromebay.com

Have you ever wanted a first class, award-winning custom interior for your rod or custom, but didn't want to drive across the country to get it? Krist Kustoms has the perfect solution for you, they bring their shop to you!

 That's right, they decided to put the show on the road, and will come to your doorstep and upholster your car on location. The Krist Kustoms team will travel anywhere in the USA or Canada, they just need a fairly small space to set up their mobile shop, and the custom interior magic will unfold in front of your eyes! Krist Kustoms is willing to perform their work on location at rod shops also! After being in business for over 12 years, their custom interiors have won numerous awards, and their work has been featured in a multitude of magazines. Check out their extensive portfolio of custom interiors at www.kristkustoms.com http://www.kristkustoms.com  , and give them a call at 260-490-8888 if you want them to bring the Krist Kustoms magic mobile interior shop to you!

ididit’s 25th Anniversary Car Show & Open House is this October 1st, 2011

It's that time of year again, and for most of us it's tucking our old cars in for another long cold winter!  But don't tuck your car in too tightly yet, ididit is opening our doors for its 25th Anniversary and we want you to come and be a part of it! 

 On October 1st, 2011 we are hosting our annual Car Show & Open House right here at ididit in Tecumseh, Michigan and this year were celebrating 25 years!  Starting at 9:00am until 3:00pm come and check out the baddest rides that Michigan and the surrounding states have to offer!  There will also be door prizes, food, live entertainment and much more to make you want to stay, relax and catch up with your buddies all day long!  To learn more about this year's event and to get signed up visit www.ididitinc.com!  We hope to see you all here October 1st, 2011!

 From Baer Brakes webpage.

  Baer is deeply saddened about the loss of partner and friend Todd Gartshore.  Todd lived an amazing life.  He was a true asset to the after market automotive industry and was a respected friend and father.  Todd is the embodiment of our industry, from his time at Quickor Engineering in the early 80's, on to Car Tech in Dallas--where we first met, then to the coast for time at HKS and then Vortech and finally to the desert and joined us at Baer in 94.
Through all of this Todd was a passionate champion of this industry and especially SEMA where he served on the Board of Directors and made sure people knew what it meant for them and what they could do for SEMA

Todd was known for his great sense of humor; he loved to make people smile and laugh.  And if you cried from laughing so hard, he was completely delighted!

He did so many wonderful things on earth, he is sure to do a lot more in heaven!

We are thankful to have been given the chance to share and love this man.  He was truly loved by many.

In Todd’s own words, Happy Motoring and Godspeed.

 .

 National Landmark Needs Salt Replenishment Program

A number of prominent organizations have formed the "Save the Salt Coalition" to protect the Bonneville Salt Flats (BSF) from continued deterioration due to salt brine removal from potash mining. The Coalition is now working with government officials, mine operators and others to develop a permanent program to replenish the salt.

 Founding members of the Coalition include the Bonneville Nationals (BNI), Save the Salt Foundation, Source Interlink Media, Southern California Timing Association (SCTA), Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), SEMA Action Network (SAN) and Utah Salt Flats Racing Association (USFRA). Doug Evans, Executive Vice President, Source Interlink Media, has been named Chairman of the "Save the Salt Coalition."

"The Bonneville Salt Flats is an essential element of American motorsports heritage," said Evans. "Since 1949, Hot Rod Magazine has covered the August speed trials and worked with government officials to permit continued racing. The legacy of land speed racing covers every imaginable type of vehicle, from hot rods to jet cars, electric cars and motorcycles. These efforts are a proving ground for new technological achievements in power plants, composite materials and aerodynamics."

The BSF is a unique geological formation that is also central to the history of motorsports and the industries that support motorsports. Scores of world land speed records have been set on the densely-packed remnants of a huge prehistoric lake. The area is so flat, it is possible to see the curvature of the earth. The BSF has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been designated an Area of Critical Environmental Concern.

Decades of salt removal by an adjoining potash mining operation have damaged the BSF. Between 1963 and 1982, an estimated 11 million tons of salt was withdrawn. By the mid-1990s, the historic raceway had lost over 18 inches of salt crust. Originally 96,000 acres in size, the BSF has been reduced to about 30,000 acres and those lands are threatened unless the salt removed to extract potash is then returned to the BSF. The potash operation is located on federal lands leased by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

The Coalition is seeking to protect the BSF and permit continued mining. One solution is to pump brine water back onto the salt flats during the winter and spring, when the basin is naturally covered with water. As the water evaporates during the summer months, the salt flats will increase in thickness and hardness, and the underground aquifer supporting the salt crust will be replenished. A five-year test program begun in 1997 demonstrated that the solution will work. The Coalition is now seeking an equivalent, permanent program.

For more information, please visit the "Save the Salt Coalition" website at www.savethesalt.org.

Check these guys out. CON2R You can custom build your own steering wheel on their website. The steering wheel needs a Grant's steering wheel to column adapter or a column with a 3 hole design for the steering wheel. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGEsKhj1wrU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGEsKhj1wrU

Last October Brent VanDervort owner operator of Fatman Fabrications held a open house for all his customers. The show was scheduled the day before the Charlotte Goodguys show and helped kick off a 4 day long weekend of fun.  

Brent was cool enough to let people into the shop area to check out all the latest projects and show us how some of the parts were made.  

Outside of Fatman Fabrications custom cars, trucks and one crazy looking 3 wheeled motorcycle all enjoyed the BBQ. Kids played on the inflatable castle and the adults told automotive stories and talked about the one vehicle that got away.  

National Landmark Needs Salt Replenishment Program

A number of prominent organizations have formed the "Save the Salt Coalition" to protect the Bonneville Salt Flats (BSF) from continued deterioration due to salt brine removal from potash mining. The Coalition is now working with government officials, mine operators and others to develop a permanent program to replenish the salt.

Founding members of the Coalition include the Bonneville Nationals (BNI), Save the Salt Foundation, Source Interlink Media, Southern California Timing Association (SCTA), Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), SEMA Action Network (SAN) and Utah Salt Flats Racing Association (USFRA). Doug Evans, Executive Vice President, Source Interlink Media, has been named Chairman of the "Save the Salt Coalition."

"The Bonneville Salt Flats is an essential element of American motorsports heritage," said Evans. "Since 1949, Hot Rod Magazine has covered the August speed trials and worked with government officials to permit continued racing. The legacy of land speed racing covers every imaginable type of vehicle, from hot rods to jet cars, electric cars and motorcycles. These efforts are a proving ground for new technological achievements in power plants, composite materials and aerodynamics."

The BSF is a unique geological formation that is also central to the history of motorsports and the industries that support motorsports. Scores of world land speed records have been set on the densely-packed remnants of a huge prehistoric lake. The area is so flat, it is possible to see the curvature of the earth. The BSF has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been designated an Area of Critical Environmental Concern.

Decades of salt removal by an adjoining potash mining operation have damaged the BSF. Between 1963 and 1982, an estimated 11 million tons of salt was withdrawn. By the mid-1990s, the historic raceway had lost over 18 inches of salt crust. Originally 96,000 acres in size, the BSF has been reduced to about 30,000 acres and those lands are threatened unless the salt removed to extract potash is then returned to the BSF. The potash operation is located on federal lands leased by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

The Coalition is seeking to protect the BSF and permit continued mining. One solution is to pump brine water back onto the salt flats during the winter and spring, when the basin is naturally covered with water. As the water evaporates during the summer months, the salt flats will increase in thickness and hardness, and the underground aquifer supporting the salt crust will be replenished. A five-year test program begun in 1997 demonstrated that the solution will work. The Coalition is now seeking an equivalent, permanent program.

For more information, please visit the "Save the Salt Coalition" website at www.savethesalt.org.

Hey Guys, Go Check out the Brothers Trucks Web Site for good deals on Truck parts. They are finishing up the Spring Spring Sale.

 ..Brothers Trucks

SEMA SECURES U.S. SENATE RESOLUTION DESIGNATING JULY 8th AS "COLLECTOR CAR APPRECIATION DAY"

Lawmakers Acknowledge Importance of Collection and Restoration of Historic and Classic Cars

Washington, D.C. (April 15, 2011) -- The United States Senate passed Senate Resolution 154 (S. Res. 154) at the request of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and its Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Councils designating July 8, 2011 as "Collector Car Appreciation Day."  The date marks the second commemoration in what will become an annual event to celebrate and raise awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society.

S. Res. 154 was sponsored by Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus members Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) and Senator Richard Burr (R-NC).  Senators Tester and Burr have been strong advocates for the automotive hobby in Washington, and S. Res. 154 reaffirms their understanding of the cultural importance of collector cars.  The Caucus is an informal, non-partisan group that pays tribute to America’s ever growing love affair with the car and motorsports.  The Caucus recognizes the integral role collector cars have played in fostering our nation’s appreciation for motorsports.  

"Last year, the United States Senate helped launch the first national Collector Car Appreciation Day at our request," said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. "As a result, thousands of Americans gathered at car cruises, parades and other events to celebrate our nation’s automotive heritage. SEMA’s commitment to preserving and promoting the automotive restoration industry through its projects and programs is evident in this special day.  We look forward to even more celebrations this July 8 and in the years to come."

In recognition of the day, collectors and enthusiasts will be hosting events across the country.  ARMO Chairman Laura Bergan said, "On July 8, 2011, collectors and enthusiasts will host hundreds of events across the country.  We will proudly partner with individuals, car clubs and businesses as they organize car cruises, club gatherings and other educational events to celebrate the day."

Rick Love, HRIA chairman-elect said, "The industry endeavors to preserve our nation’s automotive heritage while providing well-paying, high-skilled jobs nationwide.  Collector Car Appreciation Day is a singular tribute to this industry and the millions of hobbyists it supports."

SEMA will maintain a list of scheduled events to commemorate America’s time-tested love affair with the automobile.  Individuals, car clubs and business owners interested in publicizing events should contact Ashley Ailsworth, SEMA Research and State Affairs Manager at ashleya@sema.org or 202-783-6007 x. 39.

 Like many small businesses, Dakota Digital started out as a hobby grown out of a garage.  In this case, it was a love of cars and electronics alike that set the stage for the next quarter-century.

According to Founder and CEO, Ross Ortman, “The greatest joy of the last 25 years has been the ability to create and to put those ideas on a production floor right here in the USA.  The excitement of taking a concept and making it into a real product that people want to use is an accomplishment that everyone here at Dakota Digital shares.  I value the vote of confidence that the trend setters have in our latest designs, and the assurance of those that save up their money just to make us part of their dream.  These and everyone in between have entrusted us and I thank you for that.”

 Dakota Digital designs and manufactures instrumentation and electronic accessories for custom vehicles of all varieties at their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Dakota Digital can be contacted by calling (800)852-3228, or visiting  HYPERLINK "http://www.dakotadigital.com" www.dakotadigital.com

Dakota Digital Inc, 4510 W. 61st St North, Sioux Falls, SD  57107

  With every new month comes a new issue. Check it out at your local newsstands. 

 .

  The term “hot rod” generally refers to a vehicle built before 1948, and heavily modified in terms of its appearance and performance. However, post ’48 vehicles are picking up in popularity, especially after the NSRA allowed the so-called “late model” vehicles into its events. One particular group of vehicles that strikes a chord with hot rodders is old pickup trucks, such as the Ford F-series. That’s why Honest Charley Speed Shop has introduced a new product line, specifically for 1948-1956 Ford F-1 and F-100 pickups. It’s a growing market with lots of potential, so Honest Charley is jumping at the opportunity to provide products for these popular trucks.

From lighting accessories, such as parking light lenses, to large parts like gas tanks and electric windshield wiper conversion kits, this new product line at Honest Charley Speed Shop will certainly take the worry out of finding parts for your vintage truck. You will also find lots of rubber products such as grommets, gaskets and windshield weather stripping, as well as electrical components, such as switches, flashers and resistors. Honest Charley Speed Shop offers these products and provides the same great service when it comes to helping you with parts identification and general knowledge about the classic Ford pickups.

Whether you’re building a beater or a full on show truck, the ’48-56 Ford truck is an excellent platform to build upon, and Honest Charley Speed Shop has a variety of restoration components when you’re ready to take the next step. If you’re interested in this new line of Ford F-1 and F-100 truck parts, contact Honest Charley Speed Shop toll free at 1-888-795-7077 or check out the newly renovated website at www.honestcharley.com. If you’d rather visit the shop, swing by and see us at 1309 Chestnut Street in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Our showroom is packed with all sorts of cool hot rod parts, and you will undoubtedly be treated with the utmost hospitality—an Honest Charley tradition.

May 1 2011 Edelbrock will be hosting the 6th annual Rev'ved up for the kids. The Event will benefit the Center for Learning Unlimited. This will be a chance for you to give back to the kids and play a small part for our future Classic Trucks.  

 I for one will be attending with my wife and young son and I hope to see you at the event . 

 We go about our daily lives dealing with all kinds of issues; freedom is one
of those issues that has been on my mind quite frequently lately. While each
of us might have a slightly different take on the term freedom, as Americans
we’re able to experience it. Still, we take our freedom for granted, and it is
not until we have something or someone taken away from us that we realize
what we lost. I’m able to sit here and write this today because of the brave
men and women who fight for our freedom daily. It was not too long ago that
all young men were required to fight for our country to defend our rights.
While I have never served in any military branch I respect all who are willing
to fight and die for their family and strangers.

Below is a story that hits close to home, because I, too, have a '59 Chevy
Apache and somehow feel a connection with what you’re about to read.

Donate

Today I would like to take a moment to thank Army Captain Bruce Hays, who
lost his life in Afghanistan while fighting to help us enjoy our freedom.

Bruce Hays, Desert Storm veteran and Wyoming National Guard soldier, gave his life for his country, but as it happens so often, there was a special project that was left unfinished. Prior to his deployment, Captain Hays had presented his wife with an anniversary present – a 1959 Chevrolet Apache pick-up truck that he would restore. When he was killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan, the mechanic who was restoring the car took the money and disappeared.

Hays’ friends decided to complete the mission that he never had the chance to finish. WyoTech has collaborated with the fundraising team called, "The Friends of the 133rd" to restore the truck and prepare it for painting. In a combined effort of students, instructors and faculty, the truck is on its way to a complete restoration. Since June 2010, there have been at least a dozen WyoTech students who have dedicated over 200 hours to the project. They have learned many valuable life lessons by giving back to this deserving family. They've also enhanced their curriculum with hands-on training in rust repair, fabrication, dent removal and more.

On April 2 at 3:00 p.m., the fundraising team will hold an auction at the Elks Club, 103 South 2nd Street, Laramie, Wyoming with a variety of items that include handmade blankets to a ticket package from the Colorado Rockies baseball club. In addition, a website has been set up for donations and information about the 1959 Chevy Apache project truck. Donors and interested parties can view progress reports at www.captainhaysapacheproject.com.

The goal is to raise enough money to complete the pickup and create a legacy scholarship in Captain Hays' name for veterans wishing to attend WyoTech. The restoration is scheduled to be completed by September 17, the anniversary of Captain Hays' death, when the truck will be returned to the family.

For more information about this project, read about it on the WyoTech website here.

Donate

Check out the rest of the story here.

Brothers Trucks is having a sale that ends April 30th so check it out while you still have time.

Are you getting ready for paint but don't want the truck in the elements or you may already have a nice shine on your ride. Check out the truck covers. 

check out this grill

If your building a full blown race car or replacing your air cleaner  Summit Racing has tons of items for you to choose from.

Check out this Eagle Specialties Products 383 rotating assemblies or Summits house brand water pumps 

 Whatever your looking for Summit has spent countless hours refining the online parts counter. simply type in what your looking for and chances are you will find it. 

 I just received a pair of as cast Aluminum 180cc heads from RHS and was impressed by them. I am building a motor that hopefully you guys can take idea's or copy the whole build in a upcoming issue of CLASSIC TRUCKS. lets just say that I am hoping for 400+ hp on pump gas. Only the dyno numbers will prove what is possible. stay tuned

 If your building a small block Chevy then check RHS cylinder heads out.

A Reminder to all this weekend.

CPP host there very first classic truck cruise and shop tour on March 12, 2011.

 .

 Goodguys is kicked off the first show of the year in WestWorld Of Scottsdale — Scottsdale, AZ March 11, 12 & 13 Rods, Customs, Classics & Muscle Cars thru '72

 if your entering to win an award check out this info I found on the website. Enjoy the show and the people.

  How do I win an award? How are the cars judged and who judges them?

First of all, don’t come to a Goodguys event looking for an award; come to have a good time and have fun! We do not have “judges.” Selections are made by Goodguys staff, venue staff, members of the media, select hot rod builders, sponsors, etc. If you end up being selected, you’ll be asked to park in the Winners Circle on Sunday and to participate in the Award Ceremony. If you don’t get an award, don’t worry about it, hot rodding is not about awards, it’s about hanging out with friends and cars.
 

 If this doesn't get the blood flowing I don't know what will.

Presented by K&N Filters and MagnaFlow, the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational is held immediately following the SEMA Show and puts a variety of both import and domestic manufactured vehicles through a series of performance and design events, in order to crown the 2010 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car. The one-hour TV program showcases 50 of the world’s most highly-modified, pristine and street-legal vehicles competing on a track, proving they were built for performance and speed.
 
As a reminder, the 2010 OUSCI TV Show is scheduled to air on SPEED during the following times:
·         Friday, March 11, 2011 at 8 p.m. ET

·         Friday, March 11, 2011 at 11 p.m. ET

·         Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 11 a.m. ET

·         Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011 at 8 p.m. ET

·         Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011 at 8 p.m. ET

      *Re-air dates and times are subject to change.
 
Will you help us spread the word by sharing this teaser video and air date reminder with your readers, industry partners and online followers?
 
Thank you,
The OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational Planning Committee
 

 Check out the promo video and Optima Battery's Youtube page  and also Speed Channel for listings

TAKE BIG-N-LITTLE TO THE EXTREME WITH NEW HOOSIER RADIALS

Coker Tire Offers A Full Line of Hoosier Radial Tires for Hot Rods and Street Machines

Chattanooga, TN – Folks have been putting big-n-little tire and wheel combinations on their hot rods for quite some time, and that trend escalated during the ‘70s, when Pro Street was a hot topic. The issue with driving a Pro Street car on a regular basis is the tire’s construction. Most super wide tires feature a bias ply construction and a tread pattern that doesn’t lend itself well to wet-road driving. However, this new line of Hoosier tires features a radial construction and a directional tread pattern that helps drivability, no matter the driving conditions.

These Hoosier Pro Street Radials are available in four sizes for the front and 14 sizes for the rear, so there are lots of ways to mix and match the sizes to create your desired look. The front-runners are designed for six-inch wide wheels, while the rear tire sizes fit 8- to 17-inch wide wheels, depending on the tire size. The rear tires are perfect for a tubbed hot rod or street machine. Among the product line, the overall diameter for rear tires ranges from 27 inches to 32 inches, while tread widths range from 8 inches to a whopping 16.8 inches. Each tire, no matter the size, features an H speed rating, which indicates a safe sustained speed of 112mph.

If you’re in the market for extreme big-n-little tires, this new line of Hoosier radials from Coker Tire is the perfect choice, as it offers better tread wear characteristics, compared to most Pro Street tires. They offer improved drivability over comparable sizes for Pro Street cars, and the radial construction makes for a better handling tire, all around. If you’re interested in pricing or availability of the Hoosier product lineup, contact Coker Tire Company toll free at 1-800-251-6336 or check out the website at www.cokertire.com. If you’re in the area, stop by the Coker Tire headquarters, located at 1317 Chestnut Street in historic downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee.

 On Tuesday we had the great pleasure of having Lincoln Electric stop by our CLASSIC TRUCKS headquarters and demo some of their new products.

Starting of with a new line of protective wear.

Jackets : no longer a one size fits all style jacket and they have sizes ranging from M-XXL. The styling was minimal which I really liked and no over the top flames or huge logo's on the jackets. stitching looked great on the smaller priced jackets all the way up to the top off the line heavy duty leather jacket.

Gloves :

The gloves looked liked the average run of the mill comparable to everyone else's glove on the market except for the heat resistant welding glove and the premium leather Mig/Stick gloves. The heat resistant glove provided a extra layer on top of the hands called aluminized PFR Rayon. If you working with exhaust or hot parts a lot these gloves would be the way to go.

The premium leather glove added a extra layer of light weight leather for extra durability.

Lincoln Electric provided CLASSIC TRUCKS with some of the new products to do long term testing. I hope to have some feed back to you guys about how they do in the long run.

Do you think you got what it takes? Regional Qualifying Events Announced for the 2011 OPTIMA 

(MILWAUKEE) – Entering its fourth year, the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational, and everything that goes with it, has become one of the most highly-anticipated and widely-covered events in the automotive performance world.  Participants get an automatic invite to feature their car at the SEMA Show, compete in the event and gain their 15 minutes of fame through hundreds of print and online articles, and the one-hour TV special filmed around the event. OPTIMA Batteries, the performance aftermarket company behind this event, is announcing the first round of events that will serve as qualifiers for the 2011 Street Car Invitational, where participants in regional events can race their way to Nevada for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.   

The OPTIMA Invitational planning committee hopes these regional qualifying events will increase diversity among vehicles, drivers and enthusiast segments. These qualifiers will also help uncover talented vehicle builders and owners with the hottest street machines in the country for this year’s fourth annual OPTIMA Invitational. OPTIMA plans to hold at least 12 qualifying events in 2011 and the first seven, announced today, include:
      

Run to the Coast: February 26-27, 2011

Run to the Shore: April 1-3, 2011

Run to Music City: May 28-29, 2011

Motor State Challenge: June 17-19, 2011

Heidts Performance Car Challenge – Midwest: July 15-17, 2011

Holley LSFest II: September 9-11, 2011

Run Through the Hills: September 23-25, 2011



“The OPTIMA Invitational is to exhibit not only the vehicle performance and styling, but also the enthusiast dedication and passion within the aftermarket performance automotive industry,” says Cam Douglass, director of product development and marketing for OPTIMA Batteries. “The regional qualifiers are carefully chosen to ensure each represents the spirit of the event and will certainly widen the playing field for 2011.”
Each regional qualifying event demonstrates a format similar to the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational of which there is an autocross; road course; braking and acceleration; style and design competition and road rally. Enthusiasts planning to attend these OUSCI qualifiers can look for various points of integration including the OUSCI regional qualifier logo and onsite signage at each event.

  other sponsors of the Event

“The OPTIMA Invitational is to exhibit not only the vehicle performance and styling, but also the enthusiast dedication and passion within the aftermarket performance automotive industry,” says Cam Douglass, director of product development and marketing for OPTIMA Batteries. “The regional qualifiers are carefully chosen to ensure each represents the spirit of the event and will certainly widen the playing field for 2011.”

Each regional qualifying event demonstrates a format similar to the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational of which there is an autocross; road course; braking and acceleration; style and design competition and road rally. Enthusiasts planning to attend these OUSCI qualifiers can look for various points of integration including the OUSCI regional qualifier logo and onsite signage at each event.

The 2010 regional qualifying events yielded many strong Invitational competitors from all over the world including Paul-Avrid “Polly” Blytt of Norway with his ’86 Pontiac TransAm, who won the Unlimited Division in the 2010 Silver State Classic Challenge open road race, with an average speed of just over 183 mph. Brian Finch of Nashville emerged victorious at several of last year’s regional events with his ’72 Camaro and Rob McGreggor from San Bernardino, California, won the Good Guys event in Fort Worth, Texas, with his '55 F-100 Pick-up, just to name a few.

For more information on the qualifying events, the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational and ways to get involved as a participant, volunteer or sponsor, please visit www.optimainvitational.com http://www.optimainvitational.com
About OPTIMA® Batteries
OPTIMA  batteries are available through leading battery distributors throughout the globe. Consumers should look for the unique colored top and six-pack design for which OPTIMA is known throughout the world.  For the nearest retailer, consumers can also call 1-888-8OPTIMA (1-888-867-8462) or visit www.optimabatteries.com http://www.optimabatteries.com