Imports rise up to the occasion at the CTech Manufacturing World Doorslammer Nationals.

People that are not fans or have been around the import scene might not understand how big of an opportunity and at the same time how big of an accomplishment this was. Unfortunately when people that are not familiar with how far import drag racing has come, for some reason might think of something that you might have seen in Fast & Furious when the movie came out in the early 2000’s. And with that thought in mind some a lot of people will have less than favorable opinions about imports when you ask them. So when the opportunity came for these teams to show their stuff on such a big stage next to some of the biggest names in drag racing, it was received with a big sense of accomplishment by those involved, that have worked so hard to show the world that these are not just some loud show offs with less than capable machines. Some of these cars are pretty much Pro Mods, with the same technology as one; but with smaller engines between the frame rails.

Those who went to the World Doorslammer Nationals with the mentality that they where going to see a ricer fest, where in for a surprise when they where presented with the Modified & The Old School class. Classes that where created for the series of events that OSW hosts through out the year and they where integrated as part of the show for this great event. Jaws dropped as 1982 Toyota Starlets that have a wheelbase of 82.9 inches from the factory, ran times of 6 seconds well over 200 miles per hour in the ¼ mile, with the front wheels in the air for most of the time. That folks was the old school class.

Although technologically very far from when this scene was coming up in the 90’s mostly by Puerto Rican hands, it is still carrying that essence of those glory years with the Toyota Starlets, Corollas, 1^st and 2^nd gen Rx7’s and such. Some still using all factory steel bodies, fully functioning lights all around, and still managing to give cars like the Pro Stocks a run for their money if they would happen to line up next to them. As far as powerplants go in this category what you will see is either 4 cylinders ( Toyota, Nissan, honda, etc) or 2 rotor wankel engines. With a maximum of 94 mm turbo per the class rules.

This proved to be an action packed recipe for those in attendance, with some fast passes and some scary ones.

Camilo Velez Torres from Las Marias Puerto Rico gave us the save of the weekend in the 1^st round of eliminations driving “La Bollinqui” 2 rotor Toyota starlet on a 10.5 tire that has already been in the 6.6’s, got loose and ended up in the other lane behind Harold Gomez in “El Humildon”

Velez drove the car on 2 wheels about 3 times before coming to a stop, luckily everybody was ok and they where back later for some test passes. Talk about some driving.

Another example of this was when right behind Velez, Jose “Ury Tech” Morales had to keep “Harley Quinn” in check after the car decided to head in to the other lane and take out a few foam blocks.

It is tough to keep these things straight when you are talking about more than a thousand horsepower in a 89 wheelbase car. It’s like the fuel altered of the import world.

Eliminations brought some intense side by side passes and some personal bests. Pictured above Juan Illanas took “Gallito Racing” to a personal best of 6.691 @ 209 mph in the semi finals.

Meeting Illanas in the finals was going to be Jomar Gomez behind the wheel of “El Patron” who lit up the score boards with a personal best of 6.589 @ 211 MPH.

Finals came around and we where delighted with side by side 6.6’s with Jomar Gomez taking the win in the right lane with a 6.61 against a 6.69 from Illanas, both of them backing up their personal bests established in the previous round.

Congratulations to Jomar Gomez & Team El Patron Winner Old School Class !!!

Congratulations to Gallito Racing Runner up Old School Class !!!

Team Lady Justice was one of those who stuck around after being taken out in eliminations for one more pass. Joel Olivo drove the little Rotary powered Toyota to a 6.57 @ 210 MPH for a New Personal Best, placing them 2^nd in the running for the worlds quickest and fastest Toyota Starlet. Which belongs to “La Zagaz” with a 6.53 @ 210 MPH established back in January 2020 at OSW.
In the modified class it was the weekend of Raul “Cuajo” Reyes toke the Win in the Pro Compact Class in his beautiful Mazda RX8 called “Maijailin”

Next we had a battle of RX8’s and a battle of Rauls. #1 Qualifiyer Raul Acevedo in his RX8 called “Gabriella Nicole” Acevedo had a strong showing early in the weekend with a 6.47, but a 6.87 this time around was not enough Raul Reyes who ran a personal best of 6.57 @ 201 MPH. Securing him a spot in the finals against Harold Gomez in “El Elegido”

If that last name sounds familiar it is because Jomar Gomez, his bother, won in the Old School class in “El Patron”

Gomez earned his way to the finals taking down Joel Olivo in the 1st round running a 6.80 and then a 6.76 against Rafaelito (pictured above) in the round after, which where personal bests. When the two finalists met, an unfortunate red light by Harold Gomez declared Raul the winner. A very close side by side pass with a 6.74 by Reyes and a 6.78 by Gomez would have been an epic battle if it didn’t have been started with a red light. A great effort on both teams none the less.

Congratulations to Team El Elegido Runner Up Pro Compact Class !!!

Apart from those categories we had 3 participants from the extreme class, who where scheduled to make some exhibition runs. The top honors where obtained by Team New Generation from Lares Puerto Rico, when they brought out their entry called “New Mastermind” a 6 cylinder 2JZ Pro Mod that was built with only one purpose, be the quickest & fastest period.

Something that the team already has done before, Jomar Gomez piloted the Dodge Dart to an import track record in Orlando Speedworld with a 5.65 @ 262, which that mile per hour granted them the top spot as the fastest import in the world. The quickest car so far is Dr. Arnaldo Rodriguez’ Toyota Scion named “Venenum” with a 5.55. Oh and by the way, if the Master Mind looks familiar, that was Lizzy Musi’s former King Kong, Pro Nitrous car.
I think it is safe to say that the imports invaded the CTech World Doorslammer Nationals and really left a mark. They proved the world that you don’t need a V8 to go fast, that when someone talks about the imports they are talking about some very serious racers that put in as much time, money and effort as anybody out there. Like mentioned above, it was an amazing opportunity given to the import guys to let them show the world what they where made of, and they certainly did not disappoint.
There are already some rumors that we may see more of the import representation in these types of events. Finally some well deserved recognition and respect.