Street Racing is NOT drag racing

Seeing a story today about another street racing accident causing the death of a 5 year old and the conversation about it on several talk radio programs makes me angry, sick and wondering. A caller on the Laura Ingraham show claimed to be a street racer who attempted to defend the indefensible and another caller was wondering "why someone doesn't build places for these kids to take their cars and race"?

Here is some education for both.
There are nearly 300 total combined NHRA and IHRA and independent drag strips across the US with probably more than one within a reasonable drive from wherever you live.
Each and every track has programs several nights per week and weekends designed exactly for this purpose. The cost to race your family car... or van, or pickup or souped-up hotrod is usually around $20 for the entire day. You don't need any special equipment or license (other than a state drivers license) and you will never have more fun in (the front seat of) your car, I promise.

Here in Oklahoma Thunder Valley Raceway near Noble some of their biggest crowds and car count is on the first Friday of the month when the street machines are the main attraction. They also have weekly teen and Highschool events as well as a strong Jr dragster program for kids 8-17. Tulsa Raceway Park also has teen, highschool and run what you brung events on a weekly basis. There are not only places for street racers to race, there is no excuse for not racing at those places.
This weekend Oct 12-14 is Thunder Valley's biggest event of the year- the NHRA Division IV Points series, featuring NHRA sportsman category racers from several neighboring states including Texas from Top Alcohol Dragster to Pure Stock, motorcycle and ET eliminator classes. I encourage everyone in the area to go on Saturday or Sunday. Parking is FREE and so is the car show called the pit area where you can go and talk to the racers and see those beautiful machines up close and personal.

I posted below about a great American and Oklahoman Wally Parks, who dedicated his entire life to providing that very place where young and old men and women of all races can bring their car and (if it is deemed safe) race it. It spread all across the country and is the ultimate family sport. When idiots race on the street it degrades the legitimate, responsible, REAL racers and motorsports in general. Street machines are wonderful things to drive and own but there is a responsibility to drive respectfully on the street and represent yourself well.

If you are a parent who's teen is street racing, get involved... take them, go to the track with them and cheer for them and get them OFF OF THE STREETS. Teach them the right way to race and prevent them from the wrong way. You'll be glad you did and will have more fun than you ever imagined in the process.
I will do a future post on what to expect the first time you ever race a car at the track and just how simple and fun and truly rewarding it can be if you know a few things in advance.

Example of High School Events.
If you are a street racer (yes they are everywhere), grow-up, grow a pair and come to the track like real racers and get OFF OF the street. Be a leader, not dead or in jail. The 50 year old wannabe teenager police are looking for in this latest incident has probably never been to the racetrack or has been banned from the racetrack (or should be).

The primary thing I dislike about the TV show "Pinks" is that while it is based on the old "I'll race you title for title" premise... it doesn't teach viewers about drag racing. Pinks teaches you how to street race (and they film it at a drag strip). They don't use the starting line "tree", the timing equipment or the finish line win/lose capability. Instead they use a flagman and a spotter at the finish line... ala street racing. I for one would like to see Pinks go bye-bye and replaced by tv shows about real grassroots ET or "bracket racing" as it is called in the sport.

Street Racing is not racing, it is illegal, irresponsible and deadly. There is no excuse for racing on the street with a track, safety personnel and insurance waiting nearby for only $20 or so.
See ya' at the track...

-red