There are few things more fun than hitting the race track for some automotive tomfoolery in a safe environment. Often, antics on public roads lead to accidents and sometimes even death, which is sad considering there are a plethora of open track days across the country along with countless autocross events. A high profile motorsports event that happens every year is the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational. The event is the pinnacle of show and go, with no shortage of pristine Chevrolet Camaro pro touring muscle cars and other examples of GM performance.Â
The video shows several Corvette and Chevrolet Camaro pony cars attacking the autocross track, which is laid out with cones to help drivers navigate the sparse course. You race against others by racing against the clock. This keeps things safe for everyone. And a well-planned course can help keep cars under control while still allowing the driver to feel like they’re pushing the limits of their vehicle.Â
Participants in the 2018 Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational are scored based on four separate criteria. They are: autocross, hot laps, braking, and design. And the winner of the overall challenge this year was Mike DuSold in a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro, pictured below. Danny Popp once again took top honors in the autocross event with his Lingenfelter-tuned 2003 Corvette Z06.
The cars that attended the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational also got some time on a real race track, too. You can see one Corvette dip off the track, kicking up dust and another hit the curb, lifting the front driver-side tire off the ground. The montage also features several generations of Chevrolet Camaro.
Many open track day and autocross events are reasonably priced, giving just about everyone the opportunity to experience their car’s limits in a safe environment. Yes, popular culture has glorified street racing in movies and video games, but the cost of something going wrong is great—and not worth ruining your life or someone else’s. Find a local track or autocross organization, suit up, and go racing. You’ll have a blast. Â
No Comments yet