Chumpcar Streets of Mexicali: 14-15 May 2011

Drivers : Michael Chiappetta, Rod Metz

Crew: Sal Chiappetta

A "true" road race - on the Streets of Mexicali!

Chumpcar shared the road circuit with a Mexican racing organization - http://www.calderapromotions.com/ - that had the unenviable job of coordinating a number of practice sessions and races, in two languages, with two different racing organizations! It all worked-out well, and because of the shared circuit, our race weekend had a unique format: three 3-hour races.

Results:

Race #1: First place

Race #2: Second Place

Race #3: Second Place

Taking the green flag at the start of the Chumpcar Streets of Mexicali: 14-15 May 2011 . The cars are doing approximately 80- 100 mph at this point along the "front straight", and, as you can see, only a small curb separates you from trees, signposts, spectators, wayward bicyclists, and whatever or whoever else happens to wander down the sidewalk!

pic copied from Chumpcar.com "photo gallery"

Racing in the "Streets of Mexicali" was a blast - lots of good racing and great camaraderie with teams who made the trip to south of the border. Street racing has its own special set of challenges - there is no "runoff" if you make a mistake, which took a toll on most competitors, us included.

Check-out the rear wheel on this Z-car. Bent wheel, axle, lower control arms etc.. is testimony to the lack of forgiveness to any slip-up.

This is the wheel, that I tapped the curb, that broke the bolt, that stopped us from racing.

A three-man team made the trip from Colorado for the race.

When the ex-fighter pilot was driving, this was the fastest car on the track.

Unfortunately, clutch woes kept them from finishing any of the races.

Welcome to Mexico - "Avoid of your car confiscation" ?

pic copied from Chumpcar.com "photo gallery"

Pre-grid for the Mexican racing organization. (pic copied from Chumpcar.com "photo gallery")

On the way home, in the "border crossing line"