Pikes Peak International Raceway Hosts 2016 Optima Search for the Ultimate Street Car

Optima's Search for the Ultimate Street Car Pikes Peak International Raceway is right around the corner

Pikes Peak International Raceway owner, Bob Boileau, has a Datsun 520 and 411 that appeared on the Optima race circuit last year

Some may not recognize the name Pikes Peak International Raceway (PPIR), but that has not stopped Optima's Search for the Ultimate Street Car Race Series from returning to this track for its second year as part of their ten event race series for 2016.

With almost two decades since its grand opening in 1997, Pikes Peak International Raceway has hosted several different race events over the years. Series like INDY and NASCAR used the track up until 2007/2008. Currently the track holds amateur race events such as the Time Attack Series and the Optima Race Series along with several other local events throughout the year.

Spectre Driver James Shipka will be returning to the Optima Race Series with his 1967 Camaro

With the Optima Series Race around the corner, we took a closer look at the competition that will be attending Optima's Search for the Ultimate Street Car at Pikes Peak International Raceway.

Bob Boileau's 1966 Datsun 520 is unique within itself, but the little truck has grown in popularity even more as it continues to participate in the Optima Race Series

Owner Bob Boileau is no stranger to getting behind the wheel and hitting the track. Bob introduced his 1966 Datsun 520 and his 1967 Datsun 411 at last year's Optima Pikes Peak Raceway event. The little 1966 truck has been quite popular, as it has raced in the 2015 Optima Auto Club Speedway event and Optima's Ultimate Street Car Invitational at Las Vegas last November. Not only does Bob have some impressive skills behind the wheel, he is typically found in the pits offering advice and a helping hand when needed.

Though this will be James' first time behind the wheel of his 1967 Camaro for the 2016 race season, he was also spotted shaking down his 1LE car earlier this year

Besides Bob, several other Spectre Performance drivers will take to the track at PPIR. Matt Alcala announced that he is prepping the "Rental Car," a 2006 Mustang, to compete at PPIR. The Mustang recently competed in the NMCA West Hotchkis Autocross with multiple drivers racing the car throughout the weekend. Over the past week Matt has been testing some new aero on the front of the Mustang along with wider fender flares to accommodate 335's on all four corners. Pikes Peak International Raceway will be the first big event the Mustang will compete in after the upgrades are complete.

Bob Gawlik will be attending Pikes Peak International Raceway in his 1968 AMX

Spectre Performance driver James Shipka will be returning to the race circuit with his 1967 Camaro. With a recent addition to his already family of three, the birth of his second daughter kept James' main focus the first half of the year. This will be James first race in the 1967 Camaro for the 2016 race season, though he has also been racing his 1LE car over the past couple months. James has been participating in the Optima Series for several years before its growth in popularity. Though competition has increased over the years, James is one driver that can keep up with the competition, possibly bringing home a win in the GTV Class.

Bob received his invite to compete at OUSCI after winning the Spectre Performance Spirit of the Event back in April

Previous Spectre Performance Spirit of the Event Winner Bob Gawlik will also be competing in his 1968 Orange AMX. Bob already has an invitation to compete at the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational (OUSCI) in November, after winning the Spirit of the Event Award at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this past April. Bob's AMX does not only perform well out on track, it looks great standing still. Several people have asked why Bob takes such a beautiful build out on track and beats on it. Yet, as long as Bob is having fun, he will continue to beat on the car regardless when and where.

As of right now, fifty-three drivers are register to compete at the two-day event for a chance at an invite to the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational. With time still left to register for the upcoming race, it is hard to predict who will come out on top and take home an invite. Best of luck goes out to all the drivers competing at Pikes Peak International Speedway and we look forward to seeing who will move on to the final showdown in Vegas this November.