Guest ChumpCar Posted May 14, 2011 Report Share Posted May 14, 2011 Hi Chumps! Limited data access here in Mexico, so rather than send a series of small reports, here's a full race report for Enduro #1The Mexicali Grand Prix Race Report.pdfHasta la vista, baby! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff G 78 Posted May 14, 2011 Report Share Posted May 14, 2011 Sounds like a great event John! Can't wait for the next report. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Taylorcraftbc65 Posted May 14, 2011 Report Share Posted May 14, 2011 WONDERFUL REPORT JOHN!! It is GREAT that the Mexican Government, businesses, and local people treated a bunch of chumps almost like celebrities. I hope that some of the chumps with cars that won't be running this evening, helpthe Mexican driver fill out his team card, so that he has a shot at taking home a first place trophy this weekend. You KNOW that I'm pulling for the lone Opel GT, I just love those little cars. Did Race Diva find the parts that she needed? HOW strong was the little Opel GT's finish? Brie Sounds like a great event John! Can't wait for the next report. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent merkle Posted May 14, 2011 Report Share Posted May 14, 2011 Chump-icali...It's more than a race,IT'AN ADVENTURE!!!!! Wow,I knew I'd regert missing this party! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent merkle Posted May 14, 2011 Report Share Posted May 14, 2011 Chump-icali...It's more than a race,IT'AN ADVENTURE!!!!! Wow,I knew I'd regert missing this party! EDIT!!! It's An Adventure / regret not REGERT! DUH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyfly727 Posted May 15, 2011 Report Share Posted May 15, 2011 Fantastic report, Wish I was there. Steve GRUMPY Gross Team Dirty Escort 88 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest posnova Posted May 15, 2011 Report Share Posted May 15, 2011 We've been really fortunate with how awesome the FIA / FMAD (Federaction Mexicana de Automovilisimo Deportivo, A.C.) guys have been. The combination sessions are kick-donkey, as we see the chumps tuck in behind the actual "groupo a" cars to pull a draft down the front arc past start-finish. We've also got a crash-course in dealing with schedule flexibility. No worries though, everything worked out awesome and all of the chumps are having a wonderful time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Taylorcraftbc65 Posted May 15, 2011 Report Share Posted May 15, 2011 Well it's 04:05 here 90 miles east of El Paso, (at the very eastern edge of Mountain Time Zone). I quess your post about Flexibility means that the second race that I waited till 23:30 last night got postponed till today, right?Did that Mexican driver finally manage to put together a team? I hope that one or two gringo's that have broken cars were able to form a legal team with him. Later this morning I will be flying to Fredricksburg for a 100 dollar hamburger with some friends, all of us in a loose formation. I will take my notebook with me in the Taylorcraft so that I can fire it up over lunch, and see if there are any updates. Have fun, race safe. BrieWe've been really fortunate with how awesome the FIA / FMAD (Federaction Mexicana de Automovilisimo Deportivo, A.C.) guys have been. The combination sessions are kick-donkey, as we see the chumps tuck in behind the actual "groupo a" cars to pull a draft down the front arc past start-finish. We've also got a crash-course in dealing with schedule flexibility. No worries though, everything worked out awesome and all of the chumps are having a wonderful time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Taylorcraftbc65 Posted May 15, 2011 Report Share Posted May 15, 2011 Hey John, I'm doing my best to type, and not drip anything on the keyboard. THANKS for letting me know how the Mexican driver did. After you finally get home and rested, please let me know how the little Opel GT did this weekend. If there ever was anything that cried out for a 3.5, or 4 liter Rover engine, the little Opel is IT!! Brie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csadn Posted May 15, 2011 Report Share Posted May 15, 2011 Stupid Question: The single-driver Nissan -- could it not have been entered under EC rules, as it was not-entirely-in-compliance with the rules at the time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Taylorcraftbc65 Posted May 16, 2011 Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 Thanks for making a point to let me know John, I really love those little cars. I guess I'll see you at the TWS race this July. Just look for the six foot tall half Cherokee. BrieBrie -- The Opel GT finished third today. Consistency paid off. A special congrats and thanx to Bob Allen, owner and Team Captain of the Opel. Smart strategy; never-say-die attitude; reliability in every aspect of the car. And, he's a helluva guy that put together agreat team. Bob didn't drive all weekend; rather, he managed every aspect of the team's race.John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NSFW Posted May 16, 2011 Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 Great report! I look forward to the next chapter... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pendejo Posted May 16, 2011 Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 It was great seeing the Chump group there this weekend and even with the schedule changes it was very clear to me and Johnny Mag that Chump had a effect on the race organizer and things were closer to on time than they had ever been before Thanks John for your positive and professional example you set. I only wish you guys had been able to stay for the last race on Sunday. What you guys saw during Saturday and Sunday morning in the A and Open class was a whole lot of sand bagging going on. Johnny nor I knew there was a lot of crap talk going on between Team Mexicali and the teams in Tijuana with it hitting it's true peak at this race. The last two races in Tijuana had been won by Team Mexicali so there was huge amount of pride on the line. The race started and all hell broke lose with Team Mexicali jumping into the lead but after that the lead almost swapped every lap with the speeds in the main straight being blindingly fast and car control on the edge. In the end one of the Tijuana teams won in open and the crowed was going crazy with Derek Devorak in his 67 Camero being very fast and keeping it together not only won the A class but also took 1st overall. It was great the Chump teams that came down and proved that crossing the border to race is not a bad or dangerous thing.ThanksSeth (aka Pendejo) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Magnus Posted May 16, 2011 Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 Yes, it was too bad the Chumps could not stay for the Grand Prix racing as it was actually a very exciting race. Spectators started POURING in and all the hills around the track were lined with a continuous ring of people. It was a good show.Much thanks to John and the chump racers for having the CAJONES to make chump history by having an international race AND a street circuit race. I really hope that word spreads and that Ensenada will have a great turnout.I've already made plans with Adolfo Ramirez to bring him and his car to the Fontana AAA Speedway event. Looking forward to seeing everyone again! - John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mschiap Posted May 16, 2011 Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 Dear Mr. Chumpcar (John) Thank you for a great weekend of camaraderie and racing. I've been racing 10+ years (SCCA/NASA/LeMons/etc) and the Mexicali event is one of the most memorable for so many reasons, not the least of which was the opportunity to run a TRUE ROAD RACE. We all owe you a giant thank-you for everything you do to make it possible for us to chase our racing dreams. Thanks! Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumindar Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 Dear Mr. Chumpcar (John) Thank you for a great weekend of camaraderie and racing. I've been racing 10+ years (SCCA/NASA/LeMons/etc) and the Mexicali event is one of the most memorable for so many reasons, not the least of which was the opportunity to run a TRUE ROAD RACE. We all owe you a giant thank-you for everything you do to make it possible for us to chase our racing dreams. Thanks! MichaelMichael --Congratulations on a great weekend. I wish I could have been there racing with you. It sounds like Mexicali was a first-class event. What are your plans for Ensenada?Lou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepacecar Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 Hey Chumps,It was great having you here in Mexico last weekend. I enjoyed sharing some stories and being part of some new ones as you took on the streets of Mexicali. I also enjoyed the atmosphere around the paddock when teams from both, local and chumcar series worked together to get as many cars out on the course as possible when luck struck a bad note. Everything came together for a great weekend in the end. Keep revs up and hold it in one piece. I'll see you in EnsenadaRodrigo Ramos(some chump) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest eltiburon Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 john:Mexicali thanks you for coming down to Baja to Race, im glad to hear you loved the course, and we hope to see you down here in november. Martin from Caldera Promotions says that if enough teams from the Chump Car world series are willing to commit and come down for the november race, he will move it from Tijuana to Mexicali. I must state that Mexicali has a crime rate lower than Wichita, Kansas and we are the safest border city along the whole border,second lowest crime rate in the country and have one of the only two police departments in al Mexico certified to US standards.It was a pleasure meeting you and looking forward to having you guys down here again,Sincerely,Omar DippMexicali and SF Tourism Director Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Taylorcraftbc65 Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 From the above letter, it looks like the Chumps, all left a VERY PROFESSIONAL, ORDERLY, and COURTEOUS impression on the fine people in Mexicali. CONGRATULATIONS CHUMPSTERS! WE know how to behave far better than most people who leave our borders!! I am PROUD to be called a Chump!! Brie john:Mexicali thanks you for coming down to Baja to Race, im glad to hear you loved the course, and we hope to see you down here in november. Martin from Caldera Promotions says that if enough teams from the Chump Car world series are willing to commit and come down for the november race, he will move it from Tijuana to Mexicali. I must state that Mexicali has a crime rate lower than Wichita, Kansas and we are the safest border city along the whole border,second lowest crime rate in the country and have one of the only two police departments in al Mexico certified to US standards.It was a pleasure meeting you and looking forward to having you guys down here again,Sincerely,Omar DippMexicali and SF Tourism Director Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oddcarnut Posted May 18, 2011 Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 Too bad its soooo far from the east coast, sounds like a lot of fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raceydiva Posted May 18, 2011 Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 Hey Chumps,It was great having you here in Mexico last weekend. I enjoyed sharing some stories and being part of some new ones as you took on the streets of Mexicali. I also enjoyed the atmosphere around the paddock when teams from both, local and chumcar series worked together to get as many cars out on the course as possible when luck struck a bad note. Everything came together for a great weekend in the end. Keep revs up and hold it in one piece. I'll see you in EnsenadaRodrigo Ramos(some chump)Rodrigo, we can not thank you enough for all your support this entire weekend. You were a God send. It was sad to wave goodbye to you at the border, but we know this week holds some pretty amazing things for you and that you'll soon be living here in the US. Congrats to you and the future Mrs. Ramos this weekend (maybe we can get her in the Racey Diva Z at a future race)! We'll be thinking of you. Can't wait to have you along for our next Mexico and Southern California races...you are officially part of the ChumpCar family! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raceydiva Posted May 18, 2011 Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 OK, I admit it. I was the poster child of "what the frig is John thinking" when we first discussed racing in Mexico. In fact, I continued to feel this way for the 12 hour drive down and even when we crossed the border. But this was by far the best fun I have ever had racing, especially on asphalt (this dirt girl might finally be converted). Yes, I was the only girl racing and I was the first to meet the wrath of the 8-inch Mexican curbs. It was worth the bent rims, axles and lower control arms From the moment we breezed through the border escorted by our hosts, to the wonderful hotel home to all the race teams (ok, don't eat the ice and be sure to ask John about the hot tub party that literally rocked our building at 3am), to arrival at the track and paddock area. We traveled as a convey and were graciously greeted by the Mexican people everywhere we went. Not for one moment did we feel unsafe. Mexicali is a fabulous city, the food amazing, and the people so generous (and very excited to have the Mexicali Grand Prix back after a four year hiatus). Can't wait to hit Ensenada in August! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepacecar Posted May 18, 2011 Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 Rodrigo, we can not thank you enough for all your support this entire weekend. You were a God send. It was sad to wave goodbye to you at the border, but we know this week holds some pretty amazing things for you and that you'll soon be living here in the US. Congrats to you and the future Mrs. Ramos this weekend (maybe we can get her in the Racey Diva Z at a future race)! We'll be thinking of you. Can't wait to have you along for our next Mexico and Southern California races...you are officially part of the ChumpCar family!Thanksd for your kind words! I'll be sure to go to Fontana and Ensenada... Maybe Mexicali again in Movember!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Magnus Posted May 18, 2011 Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 Mexicali again in November? That would be awesome. The Tijuana race is fun and convenient but Mexicali has a much better street circuit (and a nicer city). Come on Chumps! Give me another Mexicali race!- John Magnuson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Taylorcraftbc65 Posted May 18, 2011 Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 I called the city up on Google Earth, and Calexico airport is right near the crossing, and the airport is still active. There were several aircraft parked on the ramp. COOL,perhaps if I just wanted to watch next year, I could fly my plane over, and catch a cab.Brie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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