THE TEAM

“The foundation of the OPTIMA Batteries OneLapCamaro Team are three friends who share two common passions – first generation Camaros and racing.  When James Shipka “finished” the OneLapCamaro in 2008 he had created a raw platform that had all the promise in the world but lacked the fine tuning that would allow it to actually reach it’s full potential.  Working with close friends David and Mary Pozzi the OneLapCamaro steadily improved with focused suspension tuning and careful race preparation. Since debuting the car at SEMA in 2008 James, David and Mary have worked through most of 2009 and 2010 to dial in the OPTIMA Batteries OneLapCamaro at autocross, road course, and open highway venues in California and Nevada.  They have continued to refine the suspension and tuning to ensure maximum performance and reliability.  Today the OPTIMA Batteries OneLapCamaro has proven itself to be capable of winning in a variety of motorsports venues.”

James has been building and preparing race cars for over twenty years; in addition to his work off the track he has been involved in drag racing since the late '80's and has been competing in open track days and autocross events for the last three years. In September of 2009 James piloted the OPTIMA Batteries  OneLapCamaro to a second place finish in the Silver State Classic Challenge.

David is an accomplished suspension tuner and driver who began his racing career in Central California in the early 1970's.  After driving his 1967 Camaro in local drag racing and autocross competition, David turned his focus to road racing.  After restoring a vintage 1965 Lola T-70Mk 1 Can Am car in his garage, David began competing in events such as the Monterey Historics.  For over thirty years David has volunteered as an instructor for autocross and road racing schools in Central California.  In November 2008 David drove the 1968 Camaro 'Bad Penny' to a first place road course (and overall) finish in the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational at Spring Mountain in Pahrump, NV.