The RideTech Autocross- Is it the key to winning the OUSCI?

Five years of competition in the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational (OUSCI), presented by Royal Purple and K&N Filters, gives us a chance to reflect on what it takes to be crowned champion and take home the title of "The Ultimate Street Car." It also give us a chance to share some very cool footage of past events. You can see a lot of past OUSCI coverage for free on the OPTIMA Network on Roku.

One of the videos we're currently working on celebrates the past winners in the RideTech Autocross competition and we noticed a startling trend. In five years of competition, four of the overall champions also won the Ridetech Autocross. The lone exception was our first year, 2008, when Kyle Tucker edged out eventual OUSCI champion, Steven Rupp, for top honors on the autocross.

That might lead one to believe that the OUSCI is more about the driver than the car, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Brian Hobaugh is one of the best drivers in the OUSCI year in and year out, finishing on the podium in the last two years of the RideTech Autocross, but the OUSCI title has so far eluded him. Likewise, Mary Pozzi has more than 10 SCCA National Championships to her credit and several podium finishes in the Ridetech Autocross, but she too has been unable to take home the overall crown.

Being a top-notch driver certainly appears to be a requirement for OUSCI title contention, but it is by no means a guarantee of victory. Who will win it this year? Find out in person! Don't be one of those lost souls, who wanders around SEMA all week long, without taking in the action. Try to find a way to the OUSCI. If you are going to SEMA and plan on making the trip to Las Vegas Motor Speedway on the Saturday after SEMA to see the exciting conclusion!