The OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational remains the premiere pro-touring event of the year. With the best of the best competing behind the wheels of some of the country’s quickest, most nibble and powerful cars, this event is always a blast to watch, and if you’re lucky enough, to participate in. But in order to get to the coveted event, pro-touring enthusiasts from all across the country have to qualify but winning a qualifying event doesn’t always mean winning a spot in the most exciting pro-touring competition of the season. OPTIMA is looking for skill and enthusiasm at their qualifying events and that’s exactly what the next episode of OPTIMA’s Search for America’s Ultimate Street Car promises to bring. Check out the trailer above.

While the OUSCI is the most advantageous event in the pro-touring scene, enthusiasts must participate in at least one qualifying event to guarantee their place in the lineup. This year, OPTIMA sponsored nine qualifying events, giving drivers and their cars optimal chances to be selected as one of the lucky few to showcase at the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association Show in Las Vegas and participate in the 2012 OUSCI on November 3rd. One of these events was the OPTIMA Faceoff at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. There, OPTIMA took to the historic Road America track to pin down the best drivers, best cars and best choices for the OUSCI.

On the upcoming episode of OPTIMA’s Search for America’s Ultimate Street Car, airing on SPEED October 21st at 1p.m. ET, you’ll be thrust into the action of the Road America qualifying event, getting up close to a whole slew of new and old performance cars, their talented drivers and some of the OUSCI sponsors. You’ll hear stories of passion, dedication and pure automotive enthusiasm, as well as get a behind-the-scenes look at some of the country’s biggest up and coming pro-touring experts.

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Competitors like Brian Finch, Danny Popp and Stacy Tucker all took the 2011 OUSCI by storm and will be back again to unleash the excitement once more in 2012.

In addition to participants selected from the nine qualifying events this year, OPTIMA has also decided to include sponsor-appointed participants for this year’s event. Representing some of the biggest names in the industry will be participants like Kyle and Stacy Tucker, David Brandt, Bret Voelkel, Mike Wong, Phil Gerber, Todd Rumpke, Brian Hobaugh, and Brian Finch. These talented individuals will join those participants selected as “Spirt of the Event” winners from the OUSCI qualifying events.

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No doubt about it, you won't want to miss cars like these tearing it up at the 2012 OUSCI, so be sure to get your spectator tickets today.

Be sure to tune into SPEED this coming Sunday to get a glimpse at some of the upcoming OUSCI competitors as well as many that will be back next year trying for their coveted spot in the ultimate pro-touring event. And as always, if you’d like to see the OUSCI in person, tickets are now on sale through OPTIMA’s website.