Nestled among a series of hills just outside Denver lays one of the finest drag strips in America. The IDRC returned to Bandimere Speedway for the first time since 2003 for the IDRC Street Tuner Mayhem event presented by Motovicity Distribution on June 5, 2011. With 350 racers and over 3,000 spectators coming out to enjoy the racing action, Bandimere was buzzing with activity. Competitors were divided into two heads-up classes and two bracket classes. There was also a street bike category, creating a venue for all racers.

Bandimere is an intuitively-designed track that incorporates unique features like downhill staging lanes, an all-concrete racing surface, a track cooling system built into the launch pad and an uphill grade after the finish line. Despite its 5,800 ft above-sea level elevation, racers still clicked off quick passes down the 1320.

Exedy Clutches USP Street Sport Compact Class

The Exedy Clutches USP-Street Sport Compact class got the racing action started hot out the gates. The thick qualifying field was led by Ben Hochman and his 2004 Subaru STi. He set the standard with a 10.935-second e.t. As eliminations progressed, foul trouble knocked out 20-percent of the competitors. Hochman would be joined by another competitor in the 10s, Aaron Wells, who also happened to have a GDB Subaru. Wells’ 10.953-second pass made him the only other street-class driver to break into the 10s. Hochman continued to make consistent 10-second passes, defeating Josh Lank and Chad Bartlett in the following rounds. Wells also stayed consistent, taking out Bora Tork and Tommy Griswold on his way to the semi finals. Wells enjoyed a bye-run into the finals, guaranteeing one Subaru would be in the finals. Hochman went against the number two qualifier Shawn Spickler to decide the second spot in the finals. Spickler broke at the line as Hochman cruised into the finals. The all-Subaru final was explosive as Hochman got the holeshot with a .182-second reaction time advantage over Wells. Hochman held his advantage down the 1320, clearing the traps first with an 11.031-second e.t. at 124 MPH. He captured the Exedy Clutches USP-Street Sport Compact victory along with an Exedy clutch and cash.

Hondata USP-Pro Sport Compact Class

The Hondata USP-Pro Sport Compact Class was dominated by Hondas of various vintage. Ryan Sturtevant set the standard with a 10.301-second elapsed time in qualifying behind the wheel of his 1990 Civic. But the number two qualifier Sam Park proved the dominant force in this class. Park broke into the single digits with a 9.815-second elapsed time in the first round. His second and third pairings resulted in victories that put him into the finals. Seventh seed Mike Derner, the sole Mitsubishi representing in the class, unleashed back-to-back ten-second passes before enjoying a bye-run into the finals. The final matchup between Park and Derner held the promise of quick times. When the green light came, Park not only had the superior reaction time but he also claimed a decided victory with a 10.926-second e.t. Along with the Hondata USP-Sport Compact victory, Park collected a Hondata Certificate and the top purse.

S.P.E.C. Clutches Super Mod Bracket Class

You don’t have to be the quickest or the fastest in the brackets, just consistent. The bracket classes were jammed and the SPEC Clutches Super Mod class had over 75 cars competing for the title and prizes. As the field was pared down, the most consistent competitors drew closer to the prize. In the finals, Matthew Isner took the win as soon as he left the line. His opponent Vinie Asti red lit the tree, handing the victory to Isner, making this his second consecutive victory in the Super Mod class at the Street Tuner Mayhem event. He received a SPEC Clutches Gift certificate in addition to the cash payout and trophy.