OPTIMA Batteries crowned Bob Sobey and his 2013 Nissan GT-R as the winner of the 15th annual OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational (OUSCI) presented by Advance Auto Parts last weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the company announced.
Sobey, a three-time competitor, finished third last year but returned this season and won the 2022 title over incumbent champion Jake Rozelle by seven points.
“We did not expect the win. We had a huge lead all the way until the very last day in Vegas, but the car caught fire during warm up,” said 2022 OUSCI winner Bob Sobey. “We made a diaper for the engine to catch the leaking oil and hoped for the best. Thanks to my crew member Brian, my family and the other competitors who helped me out. If somebody in the series needs a hand, there are lots of people willing to help. That’s what’s great about the OPTIMA series.”
Throughout the 2022 OUSCI championship, competitors and their vehicles faced a series of five challenges – the Lingenfelter Design and Engineering Challenge, Lucas Oil Road Rally, Peak Performance Challenge, QA1 Autocross and the Falken Tire Road Course Time Trial, event officials said. Competitors received points as they competed in the challenges and scores were totaled to determine the winner in each category. This year, 2021 OUSCI champion Jake Rozelle finished in second place in his 2003 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, and Dave Schotz finished in third place with his 2020 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
“It was an intense season with great showings and incredible racing by everyone involved,” said Cam Douglass, Director of Marketing for OPTIMA Batteries. “It makes me proud to know that 15 years after we started the series, the builds continue to get better, and the culture continues to grow. We are really proud of Bob Sobey, and you can see his passion for the sport in his GT-R. After the scare on Sunday, we’re glad everyone is safe and that he was able to earn the title.”
OUSCI winners are awarded commemorative jackets and are the first to be invited to the following year’s event. All competing vehicles had to be licensed, registered and insured for street use to be eligible to compete.
