Tom Farrington and Austin Barnes Drive Forgeline-Powered Class Wins at Barber Motorsports Park
The OPTIMA Search for the Ultimate Street Car Series returned to the iconic Barber Motorsports Park in late September, bringing together some of the nation's quickest and most capable street-driven performance cars for another weekend of fierce competition. When the dust settled, two Forgeline customers, Tom Farrington and Austin Barnes, stood atop the podium in their respective classes, delivering impressive performances and continuing a tradition of success on Forgeline wheels.
For everyone who knows Tom Farrington, this win felt especially meaningful. Tom piloted his stunning 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle to the GTV class victory, earning a win that has been years in the making. A familiar face throughout the pro-touring community, Tom is widely respected not only for his driving talent and meticulously engineered Chevelle, but also for the positive attitude, sportsmanship, and enthusiasm he brings to every event.
His class-winning Chevelle rides on Forgeline ZX3 three-piece forged wheels and represents the kind of purpose-built street machine that perfectly embodies the spirit of the Ultimate Street Car Series. Powered by a Mast Motorsports Black Label 416 and backed by a Tremec T56 transmission, the car combines modern performance with classic muscle car styling.
Those who have followed Tom's journey know that this result did not come easily. He has spent years refining the car and serving as a role model for fellow competitors and enthusiasts alike. Seeing him claim the top spot at Barber Motorsports Park was a moment celebrated throughout the paddock, and we couldn't be happier to have played a small role in his success. Congratulations, Tom!
Austin Barnes also continued to display the speed and consistency that have made him one of the most successful competitors in modern OPTIMA competition. The reigning 2025 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational Champion captured the GTL class victory at Barber Motorsports Park in his 2003 Chevrolet Corvette on Forgeline VX1R wheels. Austin also turned heads by setting a new street-tire lap record at Barber with an astonishing 1:30.8 lap.
Austin's Barber performance was yet another chapter in what has become an incredible run of success. Just last season, he claimed both the GTL class championship and the overall OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational title, tying the event record with 495 total points while earning overall victories in both the Hot Lap Challenge and Autocross competition. His continued ability to extract every ounce of performance from his Corvette has made him a benchmark competitor wherever he competes, and his record-setting pace at Barber once again proved why he remains one of the drivers everyone else is chasing.
We are proud to congratulate both Tom and Austin on their class victories and thank them for trusting Forgeline wheels in competition. Their success reflects the dedication, preparation, and passion that define the OPTIMA Search for the Ultimate Street Car Series and the enthusiasts who make it such a special community.
The OPTIMA Search for the Ultimate Street Car Series returned to the iconic Barber Motorsports Park in late September, bringing together some of the nation's quickest and most capable street-driven performance cars for another weekend of fierce competition. When the dust settled, two Forgeline customers, Tom Farrington and Austin Barnes, stood atop the podium in their respective classes, delivering impressive performances and continuing a tradition of success on Forgeline wheels.
For everyone who knows Tom Farrington, this win felt especially meaningful. Tom piloted his stunning 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle to the GTV class victory, earning a win that has been years in the making. A familiar face throughout the pro-touring community, Tom is widely respected not only for his driving talent and meticulously engineered Chevelle, but also for the positive attitude, sportsmanship, and enthusiasm he brings to every event.
His class-winning Chevelle rides on Forgeline ZX3 three-piece forged wheels and represents the kind of purpose-built street machine that perfectly embodies the spirit of the Ultimate Street Car Series. Powered by a Mast Motorsports Black Label 416 and backed by a Tremec T56 transmission, the car combines modern performance with classic muscle car styling.
Those who have followed Tom's journey know that this result did not come easily. He has spent years refining the car and serving as a role model for fellow competitors and enthusiasts alike. Seeing him claim the top spot at Barber Motorsports Park was a moment celebrated throughout the paddock, and we couldn't be happier to have played a small role in his success. Congratulations, Tom!
Austin Barnes also continued to display the speed and consistency that have made him one of the most successful competitors in modern OPTIMA competition. The reigning 2025 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational Champion captured the GTL class victory at Barber Motorsports Park in his 2003 Chevrolet Corvette on Forgeline VX1R wheels. Austin also turned heads by setting a new street-tire lap record at Barber with an astonishing 1:30.8 lap.
Austin's Barber performance was yet another chapter in what has become an incredible run of success. Just last season, he claimed both the GTL class championship and the overall OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational title, tying the event record with 495 total points while earning overall victories in both the Hot Lap Challenge and Autocross competition. His continued ability to extract every ounce of performance from his Corvette has made him a benchmark competitor wherever he competes, and his record-setting pace at Barber once again proved why he remains one of the drivers everyone else is chasing.
We are proud to congratulate both Tom and Austin on their class victories and thank them for trusting Forgeline wheels in competition. Their success reflects the dedication, preparation, and passion that define the OPTIMA Search for the Ultimate Street Car Series and the enthusiasts who make it such a special community.
