Veteran drag racer Héctor “El Bori” Zayas dies in high-speed crash at Autódromo de Las Américas

Santo Domingo.- Héctor “El Bori” Zayas, one of the Dominican Republic’s most celebrated drag racers, was killed Thursday night while attempting to break his own speed record at the Autódromo de Las Américas, the Caribbean Drag Racing League (CDRL) confirmed on social media.

Just over a month earlier, on July 9, Zayas had set a national benchmark by hitting 180.44 miles per hour during the Dominican Roll Races, a feat the CDRL celebrated online. Last night’s attempt, captured on video, shows Zayas behind the wheel of his Jeep Trackhawk as it hurtled down the quarter-mile straightaway. Roughly 1,200 feet from the finish line, the vehicle slammed into a barrier and erupted in flames.

“Tonight, we lost one of the founding pillars of Dominican drag racing,” the CDRL wrote. “El Bori was a passionate competitor who elevated the sport’s culture and competitive level at every event. We send our deepest condolences to his wife, children and all who knew him.”

In the wake of Zayas’s death, the league has postponed this Saturday’s VP Racing Nights event, citing respect for his family and the racing community’s need to mourn. “Héctor was more than a great driver,” the statement continued. “He was a loyal friend, a proud husband and father, and an inspiration to everyone fortunate enough to know him. His engine has gone silent, but his legacy will roar on in our hearts.”

Local racing circles have described Zayas as a driving force behind the sport’s rapid growth in the Dominican Republic, mentoring younger racers and spearheading safety improvements at local tracks. Thursday’s tragedy has renewed calls for stricter safety protocols in high-performance drag racing, although no formal investigation has yet been announced.

Funeral arrangements have not been made public. The CDRL has asked fans and fellow racers to observe a moment of silence at all upcoming events in Zayas’s honor.