Well I could'nt really decide a right place to post this but here goes. I am saddened by the news of the death of a close friends son. It seems that he was killed in an accident while "street racing". This seems like an every day occurence at least here in Southern California. It seems like every night I turn to the news the is another story of illegal street racing and fatalities. I am 31 years old and admit that when I was younger I too participated in illegal street racing. I remember when I was involved we had different "cruise" spots different days of the week where we would go and hang out and see if we could hustle a race. After a few races were set up we would go to our "special spots" and do our deed. These spots were streets that were in industrial areas or streets that were pretty much deserted at night. Once again I realize now that even racing on those lonesome streets there was still a danger of an accident. But now days it seems that these kids are just racing wherever and whenever the feel like it, not taking into consideration the saftey of pedestrians and other drivers. I am curious if this is just a problem here in So.Cal or if this is happening all over the U.S.. I have been involved in drag racing since I can remember. I remember my father used to take me to the dragstrip every Saturday with him so I could watch him race and help him out in the pits. I remember him telling me that drag racing is a dangerous sport and it should always be done at the track and never on the streets. Now, I am a father myself and when I take my kids to the track I am constantly reminding them about the seriousness of drag racing and the consequences it can have if its done elsewhere than on the track. My kids are not old enough to drive yet, but when that day comes I still am fearful of them participating in street racing. We need to talk to our kids about the seriousness of street racing and the consequences, so maybe just maybe we can discourge this kind of activity.

 

I agree. TAKE IT TO THE TRACK PEOPLE

 

don't be SHEEERRRD OF THE TREE AT THE TRACK it won't fall on ya car*L*

 

sorry there is no track near my house. the only track is an hour and 45min away and they charge outrageous prices. I have no choice but to race on the streets, but i am not stupid either, i never race in town, only out in the country, and only a quarter mile, never top speed, I try to be safe, but I just can't afford the track.

 

ye i street race but not just anywere...i always make sure the road is clear of podestrians and other cars...i never race through busyy streets and weave in and out of traffici know its to risky...the difference from the streets and the track is the sudden excitement that comes through your body when another car that sounds or looks fast pulls up to your side, or when another car flys past you with the loud exhaust or when someone starts tailing you...and also not knowing whats under the hood its just soo fun.....................

 

won't work. I share your views, your points and what you're saying. but simply talking won't work.

when I have kids and they're old enough to drive, if I hear about or see them EVER doing 10 over the limit, especially after having their license for a while, I'm taking the keys away. period.

That being said, I'm 22 and sometimes... every now and then I'll pull with a car on the highway. Now with the development on US37, the highway which always used to be deserted is getting tons more traffic now... so it's becoming more dangerous and I just feel that I don't want to do it anymore.

 

okay smokey and the bandit (all rolled into 1)

 

Sorry to hear about the loss. Street racing is not a big problem here, maybe because we have 2 tracks within an hour from here either way. Even the ricers bring it to the track on tnt night. One problem we DO have though is people who think they are bad asses on motorcycles. Friday and Saturday nights they all come out to one of the industrial parks near my house and ride on the private roads. These guys are crazy but I will give them credit for being good. It looks like something off of Biker Boyz when they get together. Anyways, I have a distant friend who is one of these crazy fu**ers. and 2 weeks ago he had an accident. He was riding a wheelie down Central avenue in front of a crowded resteraunt and I dont know all the details but somehow he lost it. On his way over the handlebars, the top of the windshield broke through the visor on his helmet and caught him on the bridge of his nose. When it hit him it ripped his nose OFF of his face and broke out all of his front upper teeth. They had to call in a plastic surgeon for that part. The worst damage was done when he landed, it broke his back in different places. He is now paralyzed and has only slight movement in one leg. Whats more is hes only 19 years old and has the rest of his life to think about it.

 

punishing your kids or talking to them, although seeminlgy is a good idea will never work. its foolish to think that you can get through to someone. and thats the problem with being a kid. i ralized almost too late that my parents were right about everything i disagreed with. the only way thata kid is going to learn is to realize it on his own.

 

It can be a problem here in St. Louis. I was a groomsman in a friend's wedding a few years back and the bride's cousin was an usher. Nice kid, really funny. A few months later he was killed racing his Mustang on a residential street that is obviuously way too small and dangerous for racing. At his wake (I wasn't there, my friend told me this) all the kid's dip**** racer friends showed up and left the place sideways, tires squealing. They just don't get it.
I'm not going to preach that I'm always on my best behavior behind the wheel of my car; I will gun the engine sometimes against another car on the road but only in a straight line away from heavy traffic. Last week a Cobra wanted to run on a long straight road but traffic was too close in front of us so I turned it down. A lot of these kids get too excited and don't have the kind of judgement neccessary to stay out of trouble. If your kid doesn't have any common sense (I think most parents should have some idea) then don't give him the keys, at least not to a car with anything under the hood. Even that doesn't help, there are a lot of Hondas and Hyundais wrapped around trees. In this area, we are fortunate to have two 1/4 mile dragstrips, one of which has regular test and tune nights. There is even a high scholl class for bracket racing and prices are pretty reasonable. I can imagine that the street racing problem can be much worse in areas like where SaleenS281 lives.