Making Street Racing An Unattractive Pastime May Be Easier Said Than Done
Posted June 15, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
That’s the image street racing has with many younger people, despite the obvious dangers associated with the perilous pastime.
Ameer Ayube was one of those attracted to the practice in his youth. He knows the allure is hard to resist. And his description of what happens to a driver in the middle of a competition speaks volumes about why it often has such a tragic outcome.
“You get into the zone, where it’s just you and your car, the road,” he explains. “You don’t notice what’s in front of you, you don’t notice what’s behind you. You just go and you just push it to the limit.”
He admits it’s like a real life roller coaster ride – there’s some fear at times, but once it’s over, you’re anxious to do it again.
It’s that kind of attitude that has officials worried that even a tough new law won’t bring the race to a finish line. And now they have something else to worry about – a new movie aimed straight at teens called “Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift”.
It introduces the new practice called ‘drifting’- driving your car sideways at high speeds. Some stuntmen do it now, but only on proper tracks. Authorities fear it could translate to the roads we all travel on.
“It’s wild cause you can lose control in an instant and it would be over,” admits Ayube. “There’s going to be some groups of people that I would have to say are foolish and will try it anyways.”
Trish Maharaj is hoping to discourage that with some positive words. The member of the 24K Club, a show car team, goes to high schools not to discourage street racing, but to tell kids to practice it safely.
“What we’re saying is it’s extremely dangerous not necessarily for drivers but to the innocent bystanders…So if you have that passion, please, please, please take it to the track.”
The problem is not enough people are doing just that.
