Street Racing

Discussion in 'Kill Stories (Where Hemis Never Win)' started by Slick, Oct 22, 2002.

  1. Slick

    Slick Senior Member

    Of course I know that many of you here in this Forum are street racers. I can't say I've never done it myself, BUT here is some news from today's local (San Diego, Calif.) newspaper.

    A front page article announces a new law that makes it illegal to even WATCH a street race. Illegal to the extent of a $1,000 fine and/or six months in jail! Plus this is a CRIMINAL offense that will be on your record forever! Many other cities have almost identical laws too.

    Why such a tough law? Because already this year there have been 15 people killed due to street racing just in San Diego, and many of them were innocent of racing themselves. Street racing IS VERY DANGEROUS and I think we all need to seriously reassess our atitudes about it.

    There are venues other than the streets for racing. Here in San Diego there is a 1/4 mile dragstrip, and they also hold 1/8 mile timed drags in the parking lot of our Chargers/Padres stadium at least once a week, maybe more often.

    Why should we continue to risk our lives and the lives of other innocent people just to satisfy "the need for speed"?

    What's your opinion?
     
  2. FlaBoy

    FlaBoy Well-Known Member

    I tend to aggree with you, for both philosophical reasons as wella s practical. In Florida where i jsut mvoed from, there are similar laws in effect. You can risk having your car Seized merely for being a bystander at some of the big street racing scenes. And I certainly dont advocate those huge street racing rallys that are popular in the ricer crowd, thats where a lot of the deaths occur with kids lining the sides of the chosen venue, and when a car loses it, there is a lot of collateral damage. On the other hand, for a lot of us, theres no easy access to a drag strip, and I know from my experience, even if there is, many times you cant run your car there, even on test and tune, without meeting safety criterion that 90% of street cars dont meet (ex: 4+ point safety harness, battery disconnect switch within drivers reach, driveshaft loop, etc. all are requirements at a local track back home for ANY car to run, I guess they are trying to prevent lawsuits). So for people in those situations, the only real chance to see our cars potential is by running them hard on the streets. As far as what I personally practice, my rule is that I never get on the throttle all the way, whether racing another car or myself, unless there's no other cars within a reasonable distance (relatively empty road). And If Im racing another guy, and the speed becomes clearly excessive for the setting were driving (i.e. residential Vs empty industrial park) then I call it quits. I have lost quite a few Stoplight Grand Prix even though I was a good deal ahead of the other guy because I refuse to be ripping down the road at 50 mph when there's a playground 2 blocks down the road. And lastly, I never do it for money that seems to suck the fun out of it. I do it because I enjoy the feeling I get when I see the hard hours and money that Ive sunk into my beast come to fruition. Hear those secondaries open without bogging? Who rebuilt that carb? Oh thats right, you did it yourself Corey. Feel how smooth she revs? Who replaced almost all the valvetrain to get rid of those old worn out noisy lifters and rocker arms? Oh thats right, you did it yourself Corey. I just like to have fun with my car and I dont think there's anything wrong with that. When someone tries to do that at the expense of risking another person's life or health, then I draw the line. Ok, I'm done <steps off my soap box>
     
  3. bobc455

    bobc455 Well-Known Member

    If there are really that many people getting killed *watching*, then I can see their point. If you are the one doing the racing, then IYDS (if you're dumb, suffer) - it's your own fault if you die. But if you aren't racing, I have to admit that most people wouldn't think that watching is dangerous.

    Don't get me wrong, sometimes I see a Mustang on the Interstate and get a bit wound up. However I never do it if there is ANY chance I'll hit someone else- if it's clear road then it's just the other driver and myself that can kill ourselves. However taking innocent drivers with us is a BAD plan, so whenever there is the slightest traffic I don't get tangled up (although I might just hang with the other guy until there is a spot).

    I have never done "street racing" (i.e. late at night, with betting, etc.), as enticing as it sounds, I realize there are risks. Maybe someday.

    If nothing else, at least this law makes people aware that is dangerous just to watch. I wouldn't have guess that (unless people are lined up on both sides, 5 feet from the cars)

    -Bob Cunningham
    bobc@gnttype.org
     
  4. 69GS400s

    69GS400s ...my own amusement ride!

    A few years ago here on Long Island, a Father killed his son and severly injured the girlfriend who were on the side of the road watching "Dad" race.

    I dont condone it, especially full 1/4 mile runs......but I'll say this - It sure was a hoot seeing some 9 sec. cars battle it out at 3AM .....years ago
     
  5. Slick

    Slick Senior Member

    Those requirements sound completely unreasonable. They would automatically eliminate 99% of streetable cars from running. I've never heard of such a thing. Are you sure they don't apply only to cars running really quick ETs like 11s or 12s?

    Some of the posts I see here and in other similar forums are positively terrifying. These obviously VERY young and VERY inexperienced drivers talking about running 100 to 125 MPH on the streets, at night. What happens all too often is that some poor schmuck turns into the street in front of them because he couldn't tell that the headlights he saw way down the road were approaching at such a high speed. Crash!! There are some more victims!

    Some people, especially but not only, the very young don't take time to think clearly through what they are doing. A challenge looms and cannot be denied. The adreniline flows and they're off and running, dangers be dammed. Lookout everyone, here I come!

    Not good.....
     
  6. RACEBUICKS

    RACEBUICKS Guest

    My opinion is that if your stupid enough to stand on the curb at the top end of any street race you are just the canidate to be run down.................

    Even with the ricers around here they dont do that :Dou: :Dou:

    I have been in 1000's of street races in my life and only one wreck because of racing but since the car had been accidently shifted to reverse and the rear wheels were locked up so we went off road hit a pole and slid thru the grass for a couple hunded feet. I was not driving either BTW!!:eek2: Noone was injured but the BB regal took a hit!!

    I have seen racing on tv that showed dumb/stupid morons standing at the finish line with their heads leaning out over the curb so they can feel the breeze :Dou: :Dou:
    I bet in my 535 twisting sideways like at BG they would run for cover!!!

    Its all about common sence if you have none your the guy that will be killed :Dou:
     
  7. Slick

    Slick Senior Member

    You sure are a risk taker. You post your name and city right along with your admission of participation in illegal activities. It took me just 30 seconds to have your address and phone number too, and it would take the law even less than that.
     
  8. Todd Borland

    Todd Borland Buicktodd

    Hell "NO LIFT " Mike, I was in the stands and I was ready to take cover your an ANIMAL !! Just ask JW :beer
     
  9. Nitro71455

    Nitro71455 Procharged 455 boost baby

    I couldn't agree more. I would be willing to bet no one was injured or killed from standing behind cars watching them leave.
     
  10. FlaBoy

    FlaBoy Well-Known Member

    slick,

    I won't argue with you that those requirements are ridiculous, but fact is, where I am from in Florida, it's eaither that or drive 4-5 hours to the next nearest strip. It was explained to me by the track owners (aquaintances of my parents) that they are a relatively small track/company money-wise, and even the legal fees from a lawsuit could put them into serious jeopardy. So for people in my area, theres not much choice, since I know a lot of good daily driven muscle cars that would either not make it a 5 hour drive on the interstate, or whose owners would not want to subject them to that just for a few passes down the strip. And what about all the people who are in even worse shape, who can't get to a track period, because there is none within a sensible range? I am as angered as you by the deaths of innocent people, and only slightly less so by the death of the idiots who spectate the big races from mere inches away. Which is why I, personally, dont practice that kind of racing. I have no fear when I race someone that the only people who could possibly get hurt are myself, and the other driver. If the situation becomes such that I cannot make that gaurantee, I dont race, or call it quits, as simple as that. In an ideal world, there would be thousands of tracks scattered all over the country, but thats not the case anymore. One need only grab the latest copy of Car Craft, every month in the front area with the letters, they have the "lost strip of the month" or something along those lines. every month they show pictures of an old track that is functioning no more, and give a little history of it and famous races that occured there. With the current political attitude towards automobiles, and especially our "gass guzzling giants" its not hard to see that more and more tracks will close as the idea of people (God forbid) working on their own cars and (oh lord) souping them up to (i DONT believe it) race them becomes less and less popular to the country's mindless masses. Man oh man, I just read back what I read, and i apologize for making you all read through that, I didnt mean to get all preachy, but does anyone out there agree with me? anyways, i will stop the lectrue now:Smarty:
     
  11. RACEBUICKS

    RACEBUICKS Guest

    Well in Kansas they have to "catch" you in the act of racing someone to give you a ticket
    Then if you happen to elude the officers vision for more than 30 seconds the burdun of weather you were driving comes back to the officer. Not that i have ever :Brow: tested that theory! I will tell the truth I never gave safety a thought untill I had children, since then I have not raced more than 100 feet with anyone on the street however I have on a deserted road taken my GS thru the gears with my son who said as I slowed down " DO IT AGAIN!!"

    I am 42 soon and as a 17 year old with a 4 speed GS I have had my share of tickets. before I was 21 I received 78 moving violations. I still have copies of them. :jd:
     

  12. Hey "slick", I just rolled thru a stop sign on my way home from work tonight...are the cops going to come get me too, now that I've admitted it in public???

    Now, as far as "names" are concerned, it is "highly" encouraged that all board users sign at least a real "first" name to their posts...we are a small, friendly community here, and it adds to the comfortable atmosphere to be able to reply to someone by their real name, first name at least. I don't suppose you would care to share yours with us???

    Now on the subject of street racing...I've never done it, I don't have personal friends that do it, but I will go out on a deserted stretch of country pavement and see what my poor little 350 with a 2.56 posi will do. Street racing just doesn't happen around here, at least not the "line 'em up at the lights and floor it" type of racing. But there are plenty of idiots that feel the need to weave their way thru heavy traffic, cutting off anybody that gets in their way...those are the guys I could just :spank: :spank: .
     
  13. Slick

    Slick Senior Member

    I don't mind at all. I've used it here several times before.

    Lee
     
  14. RACEBUICKS

    RACEBUICKS Guest

    Its the thrill of the race that causes people to run a car that was meant to be for mileage..........

    We have the Rice Nationals around here every sat night I have watched them run. The worst thing I ever saw was a passenger setting on the door frame at the launch and yelling all the way thru the race at the opponent. another :Dou: for that one but noone has ever gotten hurt. I guess we chalk that in the lucky column.

    I think my DAD when I was 7 ran his BB corvette against something on the highway and we ran up to his 160 mph mark on the dash (I remember that for sure) Thats the reason I did it for years. For the adrenalin rush of the run street or not. I have no reason to run on the street now since I barely get traction as it is.:eek2: :eek2:

    I am on the hunt for the elusive 9 sec pass now so I could care less what the street has to offer. (maybe later) :Brow:
    Besides the last time I went out to run someone I couldnt buy a race!! I guess they were tire of me doing this :spank: :spank: to them:Brow:
     
  15. Thanks Lee! :TU: With only a handful of posts, many of us likely don't remember your name when you don't add it. You could just add it to your default signature? Just a suggestion...

    That's a real bummer about your GS burning up...did I see pics posted of that in the garage, before and after? Could have been someone else's...
     
  16. Slick

    Slick Senior Member

    Hi David,

    I never meant that I thought anyone could be convicted for something they say here. My thought was just that a cop assigned to control street racing may find it it helpful to his cause to stealthily follow around on a Friday or Saturday night, a guy who claims to have participated in 1000s of street races.

    Who knows where he might lead the cop, right?

    And yes, the pictures of the garage fire were mine, sadly.

    Lee
     
  17. RACEBUICKS

    RACEBUICKS Guest

    LET ME CLARIFY


    I should tell you that my best friends wife is a cop, his brother is a cop , and her dad is a cop.
    ALso I have mutiple friends that are cops/ sherriffs also, I run a body shop and they all come here to get work done and they all know what happens since over the years they have all participated in the racing at one time or another. Topeka is a very tight knit town and everyone knows everyone so I take my car out of the garage and they know what Im out for......they just tend to look the other way most of the time. As like I said I havent been out for several years so I havent even been followed to see if I have a car let alone race it.
     
  18. Slick

    Slick Senior Member

    Re: LET ME CLARIFY

    No problem Michael. I meant nothing personal. The thought was just a general precaution that I think we all need to be aware of.

    BTW, I went to your web site and the opening audio is terrific! I passed along your URL to several friends that I'm sure will love it.

    Lee
     
  19. Leviathan

    Leviathan Inmate of the Month

    ...a post recently reminded me of a friend killed by a Cell toting SUV driver who couldn't be bothered to stop at a light. Personally, I'd rather put energy into stopping this one, it's way more bang for your buck.

    Like anything else, street racing is safe so long as its done right. If you launch an 1/8 mile on a straight stretch at 2AM with a safe car it's a lot different than weaving through traffic running stoplights on a busy road. If you think weaving in and out of traffic is soo kewl cuz ya drivin like dey do on TV...you're not cool, just an a$$hole.

    ... my two tenths...
     
  20. BigBadBuford

    BigBadBuford Well-Known Member

    I've been down to the street races in Philly and that was crazy. It was a ton of teenagers drinking watching all kinds of cars and bikes running down public streets. It was cool to watch, but not very safe. I can see police wanting to crack down on this type of stuff. I don't really think this law is quite fair though. On the weekends I usually go out to the local cruise spot, and we sit there and BS and most nights don't race at all. But, there could be some idiots who came from that parking lot and race on the road in front of the place and we could all be cited for watching a street race.
    I don't really have a problem with street racing as long as you keep it safe. I don't see any problem with someone running on an abandoned road at 2 am with nobody else around because if any lives were lost, it was their own fault and they knew the risks they were taking. Unfortunately, with these clowns racing on crowded roads, the laws against street racing will just keep getting tougher and tougher.
     

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