LAS VEGAS — Visitors to the 2022 SEMA Show in Las Vegas will have a chance to take in some live motorsports competition at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) in the form of the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational's autocross and Peak Performance events.
The Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational, now in its 15th season and sponsored by Optima Batteries, is a blend of tests of each vehicle's performance, street-ability and engineering workmanship.
"As an expanded feature at the 2022 SEMA Show, Optima's Ultimate Street Car Invitational is an iconic competition that will showcase the aftermarket's potential," Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events, said.
"With modifications that enhance the performance of the vehicles, the competing cars and trucks embody what the SEMA Show is all about. It's going to be exciting to watch the action up close and in person."
Each competition weekend comprises five segments — a road rally on public roads, an autocross competition, a time trial on a road course, a design and engineering competition and a speed-stop competition — that help the judges determine the "ultimate" street car of each class at each event.
Each class winner from this this season's six regional events has been invited to compete for the overall win in Las Vegas at the SEMA Show.
Three of the five segments for this year's finale will take place at LVCC, including the autocross competition for the first time, on the Bronze Lot located in the outdoor area south of the LVCC's South Hall, where the Global Tire Expo takes place.
The other events taking place at the LVCC are the Peak Performance Challenge (a timed segment) and the Lingenfelter Design & Engineering Challenge, SEMA said. The Peak Performance trials will take place throughout the day on Nov. 3 and 4, with the autocross on Nov. 5.
The remainder of the Optima Challenge will take place Nov. 5-7 at the nearby Las Vegas Motor Speedway.