SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — After more than two decades, legal street racing at Mission Valley's stadium site are coming to an end.
Due to financial reasons, organizers have been forced the end the event after 21 years. Friday, thousands rolled into the stadium parking lot to see off Racelegal.
"What this shows me is the car culture has always been great in Southern California, this is showing the support and so much that the people want this to be here," said Peter Scalzo, the drag strip's owner.
In an open letter on the organization's website, Executive Director Lydia DeNecochea said in part that she hopes San Diego will continue to fight preventable deaths due to illegal street racing.
"The 21 years of success is due to the support of San Diego’s infrastructure and the community of San Diego standing together to stop the predictable and preventable tragic loss of young lives due to an illegal street racing crash," DeNecochea said. "My hope is that San Diego does not lose the knowledge of how to combat the tragedy of preventable deaths as a result of illegal street racing."
Organizers say Racelegal's success was also helped in large part by assistance from the San Diego Sheriff's Department, San Diego and Chula Vista Police Departments, City Council members, and the Mayor's Office.
