“It feels pretty surreal to be the 2018 OUSCI winner,” DuSold said. “Five years ago, when I first started competing it was my goal to someday win. It has been a challenge and has pushed me to the brink more than once, so getting here feels very good.”
The event class winners were:
GTE Class
- Matthew Scott, 2017 Hyundai Scott
GTC Class
- Brian Johns, 1993 Mazda RX7
QA1 GTV Class
- Efrain Diaz, 1969 Chevrolet Camaro
Franklin Road Apparel GT Class
- Johnathan Belvins, 2008 Ford Mustang
Recaro GTS Class
- Austin Barnes, 2010 Dodge Viper
Holley EFI GTL Class
- Mike DuSold, 1967 Chevrolet Camaro
The 2018 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational put competitors and their vehicles to the test through a series of challenges, including the Lucas Oil Road Rally, Detroit Speed Autocross, Falken Tire Road Course Time Trial, PowerStop Speed Stop Challenge and the Lingenfelter Design and Engineering Competition.
Each competitor received points as they competed in the challenges-their scores were totaled to determine the winner in each category. Austin Barnes took second place overall this year, competing in a 2010 Dodge Viper; and Ken Thwaits came in third place in a 2006 Mitsubishi Evo. The top three winners for the individual competitions include:
Detroit Speed Autocross
- First place: Danny Popp, 2003 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
- Second place: Austin Barnes, 2010 Dodge Viper
- Third place: Mike DuSold, 1967 Chevrolet Camaro
PowerStop Brakes Speed Stop Challenge
- First place: Austin Barnes, 2010 Dodge Viper
- Second place: Mike DuSold, 1967 Chevrolet Camaro
- Third place: Danny Popp, 2003 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
Falken Tire Hot Lap Challenge
- First place: Austin Barnes, 2010 Dodge Viper
- Second place: Danny Popp, 2003 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
- Third place: Eric Fleming, 2016 Chevrolet Corvette
Lingenfelter Performance Design and Engineering Competition
- First place: Randy Johnson, 1969 Mercury Cyclone
- Second place: Larry Woo, 1968 Chevrolet Camaro
- Third place: Jim Stehlin 1973 Chevrolet Camaro
The 2018 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational will broadcast on MAVTV at 8 p.m. EST on Nov. 30.