My Views and Reviews

biker boyz

Need for speed, call for safety: Strip offers racers a legal place to drag The lure of street racing can be irresistible for many teenagers.

Vividly portrayed in movies such as “The Fast and the Furious” series and “Biker Boyz,” street racing is as engaging and addictive as it is dangerous.

In March, street racing claimed the life of an El Pasoan when he died inside his burning Nissan 350Z on Interstate 10 between Lee Treviño Drive and Zaragoza Road.

He was racing a man in a Nissan Maxima when both drivers lost control and hit two other cars, causing the Nissan 350Z to burst into flames, according to police reports.

As a safe alternative to illegal street racing, Lino Barragan has opened the El Paso Motorplex to licensed drivers who would like to put the pedal to the metal every Sunday night.

“We do this on Sunday so the kids won’t be on the streets,” Barragan said. “It’s better if they race here because it’s a safe environment and it’s legal.”

Anyone can bring out their car, and for $15, they get a crack at the quarter-mile track.

El Paso Motorplex has been open since April 2008 and has sponsored many major races. The speedway is on Gateway West near the Clint Interstate 10 entrance.

“The track gets better and better,” Barragan said. “Along with what we do with the locals on Sundays, we bring in some big events. We brought in jet cars, and the Southwest Supercharges have already been here three times.”
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