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OPTIMA® Batteries and Golden State Foods Foundation Announce Charitable Build-A-Bike Partnership

Written by OPTIMA Jim at May 16, 2012 in AUDIO, Boats, CARS, Circle Track, Classic/Vintage, Daily Drivers, Diesel, Drag Racing, Hot Rod, Lifted Truck, Lowered Truck, Lowrider, Muscle Car, Off-Road, RACING, Show Cars, Sports Car, Sports Compact, SUV, TRUCKS & OFF-ROAD, Uncategorized    No Comments »

OPTIMA® Batteries and the Golden State Foods Foundation officially announced a partnership today to support children through an all-new charitable Build-A-Bike program. This charitable element integrated into the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car franchise will work to leave a lasting, positive impact on the communities where key performance automotive and industry events take place. The Golden State Foods Foundation, a non-profit organization established to help children in need, was the ideal partner for the Build-A-Bike charitable program.

Together the two organizations aim to instill the same passion for customization among children across America by providing them with an opportunity to build and customize their own bicycle next to industry insiders and enthusiasts, while giving them a memorable and positive experience.

“As a kid, the first vehicle I can remember taking pride in and customizing was my bike,” said Cam Douglas, Director of Product Development and Marketing for OPTIMA Batteries. “I think a lot of folks in the automotive enthusiast community feel the same way. And they can remember what it was like to add new chrome cranks or pegs, put on decals or install a new seat. It’s where we first started to discover our passion for the industry.”

A series of four total OPTIMA Build-A-Bike events will occur at OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car events where children will assemble bicycles with the help of industry volunteers. These events include:

o   OPTIMA Faceoff at HOT ROD Power Tour

Friday, June 8, 2012

Location: QuikTrip Park (1600 Lonestar Pkwy, Grand Prairie, TX 75050)

 

o   OPTIMA Faceoff at Road America

Friday, June 22, 2012

Location: Andrew¹s Chevrolet (1500 W. Silver Spring Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53209)

 

o   Holley LSFest

Friday, September 7, 2012

Location: Beech Bend Raceway Park (798 Beech Bend Road, Bowling Green, KY 42101)

 

o   2012 SEMA Show

Friday, November 2, 2012

Location: Las Vegas, NV

In order to raise funds for the bicycles and helmets OPTIMA Batteries and the Golden State Foods Foundation have arranged an online auction on eBay. The auction, which runs from July 5, 2012, at 7 p.m. PDT through July 15 at 7 p.m. PDT, is open to all U.S. and Canadian residents. Items in the auction range from high-end automotive parts packages to exclusive VIP experiences to custom made bicycles. Auction Cause, an online cause marketing agency, will manage the auction. For a full list of auction items and additional information about the OPTIMA Build-A-Bike program visit http://www.optimabuildabike.com.

“We are proud to be partners with OPTIMA Batteries,” said Mark Wetterau, Chairman and CEO of Golden States Food. “Through our partnership young people in four communities across America will have an opportunity to build a bike and at the end of the day, ride off with a new sense of purpose and belief in themselves.”

Several industry celebrities and organizations have stepped up in support of OPTIMA’s Build-A-Bike charity initiative. Troy Ladd, of Hollywood HOT RODS, built a bicycle and custom painted guitar in the traditional Hollywood HOT ROD style. Pete Chapouris and Jimmy Shine, the legends behind So-Cal Speed Shop, also built a custom designed bicycle for the Build-A-Bike auction. The attention to detail and overall look from both shops mirrors the fine work that goes into their vehicles.

Other companies and industry figures that have contributed to the auction include: Monster Jam®, Wilwood Disc Brakes, K&N Filters, MagnaFlow, Former WCW and WWE Wrestler Bill Goldberg, MSD, Vintage Air, Chris Alston’s Chassiswork, the World Challenge SCCA Pro Racing series, Offshore Powerboat Association and drag racing legends Tom McEwen and Don Prudhomme (on behalf of Beckett Media) among others.

“It’s been amazing to see the industry come together to make a difference in the lives of these kids,” said Douglass. “Based on this year’s success we’re hoping to expand the program to give out even more bicycles and reach more markets in the future.”

To find more information on OPTIMA’s Build-A-Bike program including volunteer opportunities and a full list of auction items, please visit http://www.optimabuildabike.com/

About OPTIMA® Batteries
OPTIMA® YellowTop®, RedTop® and BlueTop® batteries are available through leading battery distributors globally. When looking for OPTIMA Batteries consumers should look for the unique, colored-top and SIXPACK™ design which OPTIMA is known throughout the world. In 2012, OPTIMA added to its product line with the innovative OPTIMA® Chargers Digital 1200 Battery Charger for all automotive and marine batteries. To find out more information or purchase OPTIMA products consumers may visit www.optimabatteries.com. Consumers can also call 1-888-8OPTIMA (1-888-867-8462) for additional information.

OPTIMA Batteries are manufactured by Johnson Controls, Inc. Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI – News) is the global leader that brings ingenuity to the places where people live, work and travel. By integrating technologies, products and services, we create smart environments that redefine the relationships between people and their surroundings. Our team of more than 150,000 employees creates a more comfortable, safe and sustainable world through our products and services for more than 200 million vehicles, 12 million homes and one million commercial buildings. Our commitment to sustainability drives our environmental stewardship, good corporate citizenship in our workplaces and communities, and the products and services we provide to customers. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com.

About GSF Foundation and Golden State Foods

The Golden State Foods Foundation (GSF Foundation) is a non-profit organization established to help children and families in need. A natural extension of Golden State Foods’ value-based business, the Foundation is designed to improve the lives of individuals in the areas where GSF’s associates live and work through personal involvement and contributions. More than 80 percent of GSF associates participate in the Foundation, leading its 26 local committees throughout the U.S. A key differentiator for the Foundation is 100 percent of all donated monies go directly to its charitable partners or programs. For more information, please visit www.gsffoundation.org. Golden State Foods is a $5 billion diversified supplier to the quick service industry. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif. the 65-year-old company services more than 20,000 restaurants in more than 50 countries. Its core businesses include: processing and distribution of liquid products, meat, produce, bakery and other services. For more information, visit www.goldenstatefoods.com.

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The One Lap Camaro Wins Again!

Written by OPTIMA Jim at May 15, 2012 in CARS, Classic/Vintage, Hot Rod, Muscle Car    No Comments »

Anyone with a passing interest in cars has probably heard of the legendary Cannonball Run. Thanks to the movies starring Burt Reynolds, even non-gearheads are probably somewhat familiar with the cross-country race. What many may not realize is that the Cannonball Run was actually based on a real race and that the race still continues to this day.

The format has changed over the years, but the spirit and enthusiasm is still as strong as ever.  This year, 75 vehicles entered the Brock Yates One Lap of America, including the OPTIMA-sponsored One Lap Camaro, piloted by James Shipka and Carl Casanova.  For the third year in a row, the One Lap Camaro was the top finisher in the Vintage American class and finished in the top half of the field overall, in 33rd position.

Just completing the nearly 3,300-mile journey is an accomplishment in and of itself.  For James and Carl to hang amongst a field littered with the latest GTRs, Corvettes and BMWs speaks to the great job they did preparing their car and driving it through a wide variety of challenges, including a wet skid pad, an autocross, drag race and several different road courses.  We applaud James and Carl on their outstanding effort!

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Be sure to catch the OPTIMA Batteries Commonwealth 100 this weekend on SPEED!

Written by OPTIMA Jim at May 10, 2012 in Circle Track, RACING    No Comments »

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series sanctioned event from Virginia Motor Speedway, held April 14th, will air on SPEED Channel this Sunday, May 13th at 6PM EST. The OPTIMA Batteries Commonwealth 100 – presented by E3 Spark Plugs was filmed for broadcast in High Definition by Lucas Oil Studios, a division of Lucas Oil Products, Inc. This event will be the first of many events broadcasted on television in 2012 for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.

Fans will want to tune in to watch this event that produced some of the year’s best racing action and drama on the 1/2 mile speed plant that paid $25,000 to the winner. In front of a fantastic spectator crowd, this mega event drew a stellar field of drivers from all over the country to compete at Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway. Numerous camera angles, driver interviews, in-car cameras and technical segments, along with the 100-lap feature event, will be included in the SPEED Channel broadcast, this Sunday May 13th. Virginia Motor Speedway has always produced some of the most exciting races and this year’s event in front of the TV cameras was no exception.

“We encourage as many fans as possible to watch the LOLMDS event on SPEED this Sunday. Lucas Oil Products and all of our Team Lucas partners have made it possible to bring dirt late model racing to TV in a big way in 2012. The quality of the shows taped in HD and the collective efforts of the Lucas Oil Studios have come together to make a great show for TV,” stated Ritchie Lewis, Series Director.

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will have numerous events broadcasted on several networks in 2012, including: CBS, CBS Sports, NBC Sports, SPEED, and MAVTV. The entire 2012 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series TV schedule can be found here.

Up next for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will be a pair of $10,000 to win showdowns this weekend. On Friday night, May 11th, the series will make its first appearance at Hartford Motor Speedway in Hartford, Michigan. Then, on Saturday, May 12th, the series returns to LaSalle Speedway in LaSalle, Illinois. Both events will feature Red Buck Cigars Time Trials, Heat Races, B-Mains, and 50-Lap main events. For more information on Hartford Motor Speedway or LaSalle Speedway, check out the tracks’ websites at www.hartfordmotorspeedway.net and www.lasallespeedway.com.

For the latest breaking news on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, visit the series’ website at www.lucasdirt.com. OPTIMA is the official battery of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.

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Liquid Fire Fishing Team Wins Big!

Written by OPTIMA Jim at May 10, 2012 in MARINE, Saltwater Fishing    1 Comment »

Last weekend, the OPTIMA-sponsored Liquid Fire Fishing Team traveled to Sarasota, Florida, for the 2012 NBOA Marine Insurance Gulf Coast Open.  We’re proud to announce the boys took home top honors and a $12,000 check with this incredible 47-pound king mackerel and also finished fourth in the NBOA Big Pig Shootout.

We congratulate Liquid Fire on their success and we’re glad they have OPTIMA onboard, to start up 1,050 horsepower worth of Yamaha outboards. We wish them continued success this season!

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Do you want to be in the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational?

Written by OPTIMA Jim at May 10, 2012 in CARS, Classic/Vintage, Hot Rod, Lowered Truck, Muscle Car, RACING, Show Cars, Sports Car, Sports Compact, SUV, TRUCKS & OFF-ROAD    No Comments »

It is a chorus we hear on a regular basis- “I’d love to get my car into the OUSCI,” but many of those folks seem to be at a loss when it comes to figuring out what it takes to get invited.  Letters arrive on a daily basis from car owners who want in on the action, but writing a letter about what a car could do is a world apart from seeing what a car actually does when it hits the track.

There are simply not enough spaces in the OUSCI for us to hand out invitations to cars that are long on potential, but short on actual time on the road, let alone the track.  That is why we hold qualifying events around the country and encourage folks to get out and show us what their car can do in the real world.

Two such qualifying events are quickly approaching, the Faceoff at the Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour and the Faceoff at Road America.  These are both great events to get your car or truck in front of the decision-makers at OPTIMA, who can not only punch your ticket for the SEMA show, but also extend a special invitation to the Sandhills Open Road Challenge later this summer in Nebraska.  Anyone who has ever participated in a Faceoff event can tell you how much fun and rewarding the experience was for those who were willing to sign on.

“My car just isn’t good enough” and “my car isn’t where I want it to be yet” are also common refrains that we hear from people who have an interest in participating, but don’t think they’d have a chance to get invited to the OUSCI.  We can’t emphasize the “I” in OUSCI enough to these folks.  We certainly want amazing cars in the OUSCI field, but we also want to make sure we invite participants who represent the diversity and grassroots enthusiasm of our industry.

When Telly Violetto showed up at the 2010 Faceoff at Road America in a nearly-stock 1978 Trans Am, he was just looking to have some fun and gain some experience on the track.  He went out and had an absolute blast, tearing around the road course at Road America, plowing through the autocross and sliding sideways in the stop box at the Speed/Stop Challenge. We were so impressed with his enthusiasm, we gave him a Spirit of the Event invitation to the 2010 OUSCI.  Telly’s life and Trans Am both underwent serious changes after that and he had an absolute blast out in Nevada and picked up plenty of exposure along the way.

Will you and your car be the next to receive an invite to the OUSCI?  Probably not, unless we see you at a qualifying event or the SEMA show itself.  Pull the trigger and sign up today.  You’ll be glad you did!

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