Community Profile: Cal Rothe sets record at Bonneville Salt Flats
Cal Rothe is riding high these days after his recent racing achievement in Utah.
"I set a new record — it's a two-way average of 211 mph," he said with elation.
The
“It’s a kick to go that kind of speed,” he said.
Last year, Rothe set a record of 197 mph in the fuel class at the flats.
The rear engine modified roadster that he drives is owned by Pete Aardema, who formerly lived in Ramona. Kevin Braun of Lakeside is the machinist, and Scott Goetz of Santee also serves as a driver.
“So it’s kind of the four of us has built a real team, a real bond,” said Rothe.
They race the two to three mile short course at Bonneville.
Although it’s wide open — no hairpin curves like he experiences in other racing — Rothe said there are challenges.
“The car gets sideways. Oh, it moves all over the place. It’s not an easy ride. The tires want to spin, and so you have to slow down a little bit, get the tires to gain traction and then can accelerate from that.
“And then there’s the side wind sometimes,” he added, laughing. “That really throws a curve.”
The semi-retired Rothe said he has been racing all his life. The experience benefits him greatly.
"Luckily I'm very calm and relaxed and calculated," he said. "I'm confident in my capability."
When he finishes the race, that's when the adrenaline kicks in, he said.
Six times a years he races at El Mirage, a dry lake bed northeast of Los Angeles where SCTA hosts land speed racing.
“We have 1-1/3 miles to get up to our distance and then our timing lights register how fast we’re going. I’ve been a best of 222 (mph) up there. It put me in what’s called a 200 Club. And the big thing is that we get points when we race and last year we got second place in the points championship.”
He will be competing again at El Mirage on Sept. 10.
Anyone who races has to be in one of 11 clubs, said Rothe. He is in the San Diego Roadster Club.
“We’re the only car to set a record at Bonneville in our whole club. And our club is used to running in first and second place in the points.”
Rothe also races a 1971 front engine dragster in
For nine years he participated in Vintage Motorcycle Road Racing with his 1971 Triumph Triple.
“I’ve run all over the United States and even went to England one time,” he said.
Other racing includes Sports Car Club of America road racing in the TransAM Camaro SP Class and Southern California Off Road Racing Baja 500 and 1000 with a 1972 Ford Bronco.
Growing up in Chula Vista, Rothe got started with go-karts in quarter midget races.
For the past three decades he has lived in Ramona. His wife, Kathi, an artist, enthusiastically points out the many racing photos and trophies displayed in their house and his office.
“He supports me in my art and I support him in his racing,” she said.
The two of them participate in Ramona American Graffiti Cruise Night, sometimes riding in the 1932 Ford pickup truck called the Deuce that was previously owned by Doug Hood, who died three years ago. Rothe said he helped Hood keep the truck running and keeps a photo of his friend in the cab.
Among other vehicles Rothe owns is a 1957 Austin Healy that he bought when he was 15 and a 1920s roadster that he is restoring.
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