The Mech-Tech $5000 to win “second chance” race




With only the quickest 16 cars out of 118 that entered able to race for the $20,000 top prize that World Sport Compact Challenge the Carl Weisinger knew he needed to come up with a consolation race for those racers didn’t make the elite 16-car field. So he got together with racer Edwin Colon who is the CEO of the Florida based Mech-Tech Institute. The Mech-Tech institute trains or re-trains people who seek to work in the automotive field and offers a specialized study course for those who want to work in the auto racing industry.

Mr Colon and Mech-Tech donated enough money to the purse that the promoters  were able to put together a bracket race for the non-qualifiers that paid the winner $5000 and paid back 16 spots. The caveat was that a competitor had to dial 10.99 or quicker regardless of what their car could run.

To win the second chance race was no easy feat requiring the winner to win eight times. The winner was Ramon Lopez from Puerto Rico who had his Mazda dialed in at 8.97. Lopez raced against the 86 Corolla driven by Jorge Juarbe who dialed eight-flat. Juarbe lost his chance to double-up and win both races when he left early turning on the red light handing the $5000 prize to  countryman Ramon Lopez Jr.

Horiberto Santiago's immaculate import was the only Civic to qualify.

Qualifying Sheet

1) Jorge Juarbe Puerto Rico Toy 6 cyl 6.861/206.83
2) Carl Brunet Canada Saab 4 Cyl 6.917/207.88
3) Damon Chin U.S. Toy 6 cyl 6.9811/186.41
4) Paul Reyes Bauzo Puerto Rico Mazda 3 rtr 7.058/197.65
5) Jorge Lazcano Puerto Rico Nisson 6 cyl 7.102/193.54
6) Carlos Santiago U.S. Toy 4 cyl 7.138/192.44
7) Alessandro De Luca Curacao Mazda 3 rtr 7.139/196.93
8) Miguel Marrero Puerto Rico Mazda 3 rtr 7.141/196.64
9) Horiberto Santiago U.S. Honda 7.230/194.02
10) Edwin Burgos Puerto Rico Mazda 2 rtr 7.244/190.16
11) Rafael Fuentes Puerto Rico Mazda 2 rtr 7.257/186.95
12) Hector mendez U.S. Mazda 2 rtr 7.319/190.27
13) Boris Rojas U.S. Mazda 2 rtr 7.332/173.01
14) Jaime Rodriguez U.S. Toy 4 cyl 7.356/186.95
15) Chanito Vazquez U.S. Toy 6 cyl 7.365/183.94
16) Miguel Marrero Puerto Rico Mazda 3 rtr Withdrew
17) Denny Perez U.S. Mazda 2 rtr 7.422/186.33