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It’s not hard to figure out why this week’s third annual Import vs. Domestic Showdown has become one of the most popular events at US 131 Motorsports Park.
After all, where else can you see American-made muscle cars like defending champion Jimmer Kline’s 1966 Pontiac GTO racing heads-up against imports like the Martinez brothers’ wicked rotary-engine 1,000 horsepower Mazda RX-7?
That was the final round of last year’s showdown and it was won by Kline, the American Outlaw racer from Wyoming, Mich., who beat Roger Martinez of Shawnee, Kan., with the help of a narrow starting line advantage.
Both of those cars and drivers are expected to return for this year’s renewal which will pay $5,000 to the Quick 32 winner and $1,200 to the runner-up. Nevertheless, it’s the bragging rights on which you can’t put a price. Right now they’re Kline’s, but Martinez and the Bolo de Humo Racing team he owns with his crew chief brother, Amoris, expect to reverse the outcome.
Not that those are the only two with a shot at the big money. The field also likely will include 2014 winner Ken Bosch of Holland, Mich., and his 1972 Chevy Nova, his teammates on the Phil Veldheer Racing Team plus a host of high-winding Hondas, Toyotas, Nissans, Datsuns and Mazdas.
The brainchild of brothers Luis, Xavier and Brian Rosario and Ivan Mejias, the CEO of USA Auto Supply in Philadelphia, Pa., the Import vs. Domestic Challenge represents the realization of a dream. Special thanks to sponsors PPG, AutoBody Experts of Hudsonville, Ridge & Kramer Auto Parts and Liberty’s Gear.
The Rosario brothers moved to Michigan from Puerto Rico in 1987 and brought with them a love of fast cars that fostered their hope of bringing an event like the Import vs. Domestics to the Grand Rapids area.
“Just four guys with one vision,” Luis Rosario said of the race now sponsored by USA Auto Supply and Miracle Image Auto Detailing of Grand Rapids.
Saturday’s racing will include qualifying for the Quick 32 plus racing for cash in combined box/no box and motorcycle/sled classes as well as in Jr. Dragster. Car Show registration is from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. on Saturday and Car Show from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Live bands will then start playing at 5 p.m.
Sunday’s program will feature eliminations in Quick 32, Bracket 1, Bracket 2, motorcycle/sled and Jr. Dragster classes.
Adult admission is $20 either day or $35 with the purchase of a two-day pass. Children under 12 are free when accompanied by a ticketed adult. Gates open at 9 a.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m. Sunday.
A special test-and-tune session on Friday, will set the stable for a full weekend of head-to-head competition. Gates will open at 5 p.m. Friday and adult admission is $10 to watch or $25 to race with children 6-12 just $5. After 8 p.m., the gate price drops ($5 to watch and $15 to race, children under 12 free) for Midnight Madness (8 p.m.-midnight).
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