Dennis Chizma, crew chief

born: Toronto, Canada
current residence: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
unique note: Chizma was named the ALMS GT2 Mechanic of the Year in 2005
duties: oversight of all car maintenance
race day duty: Right side tire changer, oversight of repairs
major accomplishments: Member of 2005 and 2006 ALMS GT2 Championship teams, ten ALMS class victories (all with Petersen/White Lightning), 24 Hours of Le Mans winner (’04), multiple off-road racing class wins and championships (1976-’89), SCCA Rally wins and championships (’93-2002), member of the Winning Team 25Hours of Thunderhill (‘04), road racing class wins and championships (’90-’03), Class winner of 2005 and 2006 Subaru Rim of the World Rally and Ramada Express International Rally (as the driver). Member of the 2007 Utah Grand Prix GT2 winning effort with Petersen Motorsports/White Lightning Racing.

bio brief
Dennis Chizma joined Petersen Motorsports White Lightning Racing in 2000 making he, and longtime friend Nico Castellaccio, the longest running members of the team. He became lead technician in 2005. Chizma leads and oversees all car maintenance responsibilities at the track and in the shop. On race day, he shares right-side tire-changing duties with Castellaccio. His in-depth knowledge of Porsches and their history has made him one of the most respected mechanics in the paddock. Getting his start in 1975, Chizma was a technician for the BF Goodrich off-road team until ’77. In 1978, he moved to SpeedUnlimited in off-road racing where he remained until ‘84 as an engine and transmission technician. While there, he built and maintained the Volkswagen Beetle’s used in the famous “Herbie” movies for Disney Pictures. Also during that same time, Chizma took-up driving for Triple C Racing before starting his own team- Motor Sports Unlimited- in 1985. He raced his own team until 2001 when he began to focus on racing with Petersen/ White Lightning. However, he still slips behind the wheel of his self-built and maintained rally cars. In ’05, he won his class in two of the most prestigious rallies in North America— The Subaru Rim of The World Rally and Ramada Express International Rally— in the only two starts he made in his Porsche 964. In the ALMS, Chizma led the Petersen/ White Lightning crew to a first round victory in the Klein Tools Pit Crew Challenge at Road Atlanta. As lead technician, Chizma oversaw five GT2 victories including his first 12 Hours of Sebring, Petit Le Mans and Monterey Sports Car Championship as well as the ALMS Team, Driver and IMSA Cup Championships. In doing so, he earned the ALMS GT2 Mechanic of the Year Award. He also directed car maintenance on Petersen/ White Lightning’s runner-up finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

away from the track
When not racing or overseeing his Petersen/White Lightning duties, Chizma is co-owner of Team Deva Motorsports, a rally racing preparation team. Chizma enjoys Scuba diving, water and snow skiing and spending time with his children. He has three daughters: Hilary, Amelia and Rennen. Chizma lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.