This moredoor Datsun must be a hell of a racer to get to the finals of the Optima Challenge

This MG grabbed my attention... it's rare to see anything that isn't an American sports car in the Optima Challenge

the other brands at the Optima Challenge

nice crusty ol Ford!  Just sitting here in the finals means that there is a lot going on that isn't obvious to a view on the surface

Chevys at the Optima Challenge Tuesday morning

I haven't seen this Z 28 for a couple of years, but have photographed it at the Optima Challenge before... cool car

If you look at this, and guess - Nova? Chevy II? Just like I did, that would be close, but wrong. It's close though, it's an Acadian Invader, I shit you not. Here one is selling on BAT https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1964-pontiac-acadian-invader for 12.5k

I knew at first glance that my initial guess of Nova was close, but not exactly right, so I guessed Chevy II... knowing there's something a tiny bit strange with that grill lower section that rests on the bumper. Or, is it a upper piece of bumper, something like a push bar? Anyway, that's the clue it's the Acadian Invader. Thank you Chuck for pointing me toward the Beaumont direction

it's surprising to see how much a Vette gets modified when (from what I've seen at the Optima Challenge) they don't get worked much harder than any regular street car does... VW bugs and a Toyota Yaris have been in the competition... it's not the Le Mans, not that much top speed stuff happens in the slalom or speed stop challenge

I just watched a race at Laguna Seca, speeds didn't top 125. Too many turns drop the speed to around 60

Kevin Dunn's 67 Firebird in the Optima series.... looks like it's all in for the race, I'm digging the sidepipes

This was Kevin’s first car and he's owned it for 35 years, since his parents purchased it in January 1982 for $700, when it was still a 6 cylinder OHC with a 2 speed automatic.

https://www.autoxandtrack.com/kevin-dunns-1967-widebody-firebird/

It is a first Gen Firebird, with fender extractors from a 2nd Gen Trans Am and a 4th Gen Trans Am rear spoiler

https://www.hotrod.com/events/optima-ultimate-street-car-ousci-road-america-2025-event-results/photos

This ’71 Buick GS is still owned by the guy that bought it brand-new, and he finally made it to the track at Road America with it to race in the Optima series

https://www.hotrod.com/events/optima-ultimate-street-car-ousci-road-america-2025-event-results

Ed Cano does commission work, and here is his cool take on Herb Lumpp's Chevelle at the Optima Challenge

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=745820237192132&set=pcb.745820873858735

go to his facebook page to see a lot of other cars he's animated for folks

Cars in the Optima race at SEMA 2024

But then you see the rear