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View Full Version : A look back on USCA Road America 2014



Trackside-Brandy
07-02-2014, 11:59 AM
USCA Road America
Elkhart Lake, Wi
June 20-22, 2014

Another successful USCA event is in the books as of a couple weeks ago in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Many might know the event under another name: Optima Ultimate Street Car Faceoff. This year marked the 5th annual event at Road America. Looking back on the event over the past five years, we wanted to share the first video released by Optima Batteries in 2010 that started the demand to keep this event coming back year after year:

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Each year, drivers, staff and spectators keep their fingers crossed that the weather will hold out for the three day event. Though it started a little rough, the weather shaped up for the track portion of the event on Sunday.

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As you flip through the images and results for the weekend, you might start to recognize some of the cars and drivers that were present for this event. Looking back at 2010 up to present day, it is always amazing to see an event grow. Drivers come out with new and improved equipment and times get faster and faster. Some of the veterans of the event included Stacy and Kyle Tucker of Detroit Speed and Engineering, Bret Voelkel of RideTech, Randy Johnson from D&Z Customs, and many more.

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If you have never been to Road America, I suggest adding it to you bucket list. The track itself is absolutely beautiful. From the overly green grass and trees, the endless turns and long straightaways, the track is something straight out of a video game. Unlike many of our southern California Tracks with dried up bushes, mounds of dirt and huge boulders, this track provides a sense of serenity. It is definitely a sight with your own eyes.

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Sunday came along with some very surprised and appreciative winners at the end of the day. Debbie Farrington received the K&N Spirit of the Event award with her ’64 Chevelle Wagon. By winning this award, she automatically won an entry into this year’s Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational. Debbie truly deserved this award. I first met Debbie five years ago when traveling the show circuit. I actually had a chance to get behind the wheel of her wagon at the Goodguys Indy Autocross Event back in 2011. From her grace of maneuvering that huge car around the track, while not sliding around on the bench seat, to using her knee to balance herself; it’s beyond me how she gets that thing to hook up and perform so well. Put her years of seat time behind the wheel aside and you will notice Debbie’s amazing personality along with her wonderful family support team. We want to congratulate Debbie on winning a spot on this year’s invite list to OUSCI and can’t wait to see her back out in November.

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Ken Thwaits and James Shipka took home the Detroit Speed and Engineering Fastest Camaro Awards for the weekend. Thwaits and his ‘14 Chevy Camaro took home the DSE Fastest Fifth Gen Camaro Award while Shipka and his ’67 One Lap Camaro swept the competition away winning the DSE Fastest Pre-1980 American Iron Award.

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The RideTech Renegade Award went to Mark Golovin and his ‘00 Chevy Camaro SS. The Ridetech renegade award symbolizes someone who has taken their car and made the most out of it, without spending a ton. Mark fit the bill perfectly. Mark does not have tons of fancy upgrades nor does he send his car out to get work done before race day. He’s participated in several events throughout the past several years and could easily be considered a veteran of our race circuit. You might not have heard of Mark before this, but if you have been out to any events in the Midwest including Midwest Musclecar Challenge, Holley LS Fest and USCA Road America, you have probably crossed paths with him. Not only is Mark an active driver on our race circuit, he is also a dear member of our pro-touring community. Congrats Mark! We can’t wait to see you at the next event.

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There were several winners at this year’s USCA Road America event. We wanted to highlight the overall winners and OUSCI Invites that are listed below:
GT3K (over 3000lb)
1- Kyle Tucker 1970 Chevy Camaro Car #48
2- Ken Thwaits 2014 Chevy Camaro Car #14 (OUSCI Invite)
3- Ryan Matthews 2012 Chevy Camaro Car #25

GT2K (under 3000lb)
1- Karl Dunn 2002 Chevy Corvette Car #7
2- Scott Sengpiel 1993 Mazda RX-7 Car #39
3- Daryl Brockman 1989 BMW 325i Car #4

AWD
1- Steve Kepler 2013 Nissan GT-T Car #26
2- AJ Santiago 2011 Nissan GT-R Car #37 (OUSCI Invite)
3- Justin Stone 2015 Subaru WRX Car #45
**OUSCI Invites went to 2nd place winners in both GT3K and AWD Class since 1st place winners have already received an invite.

For a complete list of results visit: http://ultimatestreetcarassociation.com/events/

Congrats once again to Ken Thwaits, Karl Dunn and AJ Santiago for winning a spot to compete in the 2014 Optima Ultimate Street Car Challenge this November. We would like to acknowledge all the winners and competitors at this year’s USCA Road America event. Without the staff, volunteers, drivers and spectators this event would not be possible.

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We would like to thank Robert McGaffin and McGaffin Photography for the amazing photos provided to pt.com of the USCA Road America Event.
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We want to know what your experience was like!!! If you have photos or video of your runs, please feel free to share them in additional threads or replies below.

If you are interested in more information about the USCA Race Series please visit: http://ultimatestreetcarassociation.com/

#becausestreetcar #driveusca #protouring

andrewb70
07-02-2014, 01:00 PM
Great event!!!

Andrew