[kidcoastal]

I'm going to try my best to keep this benign. I have been taking this with tongue in cheek for a while with the whole altima thing. Even jokingly posted that that kewk should race Rogue. However, I'm seeing this pop up more and more and it's VERY alarming. I went through the thread "What have you blown away" tonight and I was shocked. I'm tired of reading and hearing about members here taking about their "kills" or street racing experience in general. Like several of us here, I've been effected by illegal street racing. best friend in high school.... dead. Sisters friend in passengers seat... injured, mother hit by car who was racing.. luckily no injury... blah blah.. I can go on an on with details but I'm not. This stuff is not a joke. Those that do this aren't just putting themselves at risk, you are putting me, my wife, my unborn child, my family and all other innocent lives at risk. I'm not some old dude lecturing here. A LOT of you here already know me.... I'm only 33.
Am I talking to those of you that occasionally go over the speed limit? Of course not. I do it too. Street racing is clearly an entirely different degree of Monster being adrenalin and ego driven. This makes for bad judgment. Please, if you want to race, get off our streets and go to your local track, salt flats, desert or other legal street racing location etc... http://www.rasr.info
Time slips are the real proof anyway.

If you feel the need to flame... by all means.. I'm a big guy and I can take it. I personally would rather see this thread hit 2972 times without a single "**** you" or "thank you". I cant however, sit here idly and not say anything when I know people here putting the rest of us at risk. The bottom line is you know I'm right. Please........ PLEASE ...drive safely.

 

[HEMEEE]

Amen babeee!

There was an episode of Oprah recently that featured a young man in his 20's who had been involved in a horrific street racing collision in which he broadsided another vehicle. He was able to walk away from the wreckage and quickly ran to the other car to see if he could render aid. As he looked inside the car, he found both the driver and her elderly passenger were dead... he also discovered that the driver was his own Mother, she had taken a friend out to look at Christmas lights in the neighborhood. He is now doing prison time, so his family is further traumatized.

It was a gut-wrenching show, and my thought was that it should be must viewing in all high schools, driver training programs and traffic classes.

 

[lennoxavesosa]

Kid.....I couldnt agree with you more.

Myself being only 20 with such a nice and fast car already makes my testosterone-driven self take over and want to race every guy that pulls up next to me at a redlight.
I know there is a time and a place for everything, and take it all in lieu. If the conditions are right and safe I dont think there is anything wrong with a lil *illegal* street/highway race, but when you are endangering not only yourself, but other peoples well-being it is a totally different story. I have lost 3 friends within the last year due to car accidents and it really makes you start to think.
Personally, Im not big into the whole 'street racing scene', but I think we all know our cars are fast as hell and sure do have alot of balls, so it is sometimes kind of hard to back down when another car challenges you on the road. Just dont be an idiot about it, and even if it costs you loosing the race, make sure you are safe. Wouldnt want to wreck/total a car, let alone have anyone get hurt over a stupid street race.
-Like I said before, theres a time and a place for everything, and I think we all know our own limits and perameters when it comes to driving/racing our cars. Just be safe. Thanks for stepping up and finally posting this Kid, as Im sure alot of the more mature members here have thought the same thing, but just have never took the time to mention it.

To anyone else who dosent agree with this :fing26:
Oliver.

 

[frank29]

I'm going to try my best to keep this benign.................................drive safely.

I feel the same way.

This week, two Mustangs were racing on Buford Highway, outside of Atlanta.......a 5 lane road (2 lanes each way plus a turn lane)....a man and his daughter-in-law were in a van, in the turn lane, waiting to take a left.....the van was hit.....the daughter was killed.

It was very sad to hear the father interviewed on the radio. A reporter asked him about his injuries and, in a sobbing voice, he replied that he didn't care about himself, all he cared about was his daughter.

One of the sons of bitches that killed his daughter was arrested. Police are looking for the other. I hope no members of this forum are transformed into sons of bitches. If anybody thinks that is too harsh, let me ask you: What would you think if that was your daughter killed on Buford Highway due to street racing?

 

[glenn4dde]

While I am not into "street racing", I do enjoy the 300C, especially when some rice box pulls up next to me. With that said, I want so badly to disagree with you guys, but I can't. It IS dangerous because other people make it dangerous. If everyone drove like me, the world would be a faster place, but they don't...so it is what it is.

Let's face it, I'm 24 years old, I love to go fast, I get 12MPG. However, I know my limits, and everyone else should, too.

 

[CohibaEsplinado]

I'm 23, and I totally with you too... I'm so sick of seeing cars driven by young kids (young by even my standards, 16, 17, 18) weaving in and out of traffic on the highways. It's not safe, it's not fun for other drivers, and its won't be fun for you when you get arrested, or even worse, injured/killed.

Everyone goes through that phase though, where you just get your liscence, and you think you know everything. I went through that when I got my liscence, and it took me totaling my car to realize how stupid I was. My town happens to be pretty wealthy, and when alot of the kids here get their liscences, their first cars are ridiculous. When I was in highschool, I remember alot of first cars being Corvette's, Mustang Cobra's, M3's, and one kid had an Acura NSX.

I think that part of it is caused by just the attitude in this country about liscences. Many people think of them as a right, not a privelage.

 

[Model 57]

I have to agree with you, I used to race a lot, when I was younger. But even then we would go out of town on a lonely highway, and do our racing there. We also had some spotters if traffic were to approach.
All that I do any more is the 1st 50ft. off of a stoplight. Not many can stay with my Honda Valkyrie.

 

[StarJack]

I feel the same way.
One of the sons of bitches that killed his daughter was arrested. Police are looking for the other. I hope no members of this forum are transformed into sons of bitches. If anybody thinks that is too harsh, let me ask you: What would you think if that was your daughter killed on Buford Highway due to street racing?

What Frank said. Those punks could've driven 45 minutes north to Commerce 1 or 2 Fridays a month and run at a real dragstrip for $25 a night. Or they could've lined up on I-985 at 03:00 when traffic is so light you can get out and relieve yourself in the fast lane without seeing other headlights in either direction if they wanted to risk their own lives. Frankly, I wouldn't blame the man who lost his daughter if he shot the punk dead on the courthouse steps and then turned himself in. Because the little bastard that did this will do a few years at the WORST for taking his daughters life, just cause he wanted to be a big man. :cussing:

 

[WhiteDiamond]

While I agree with your statements, I find the whole situation has gotten larger and communities seem to think it can just be stamped out. Automobiles are perhaps the largest hobby in the United States and speed is a very large part of many of those loyalists. While the young ones tend to be very stupid in their attempts to race, there are plenty of adults who share this same brain issue. It also bothers me that communities are running drag strips out of business left and right and the remaining strips only open for certain hours on certain days. This makes it very hard for the majority to get their 'fix' on a constant basis. While this is not an excuse, it is an observation that the hobbiests are viewed as a threat and most people won't take the time to realize that all hobbies need and outlet.

It is a shame that so many of our youth and some of our adults have resorted to the type of street racing that has resulted in so many deaths. It is wise for you to know that most states now have laws in place the make the survivor of the race, if their is one, a participant in a murder or man-slaughter trial. You can face many years in jail and have the pain of somebody's death on you for life.

Take it to open places and try to make it a sanctioned track. Never on the neighborhood road, the freeway around others, the main street or basically anywhere near others.

Yes, I have fun occasionally too, but I know when and where and I always make sure I know my vehicle well before. I used to race cars in various SOLO and SCCA events, and that experience is something I think all drivers should get early in their driving career. Finding and learning a vehicles limits should be something we all do, but in controlled and safe enviroments, not during some street race when a pedestrian steps out in front of you.

Todd

 

[vvv90]

:spank:


Well obviously I'm one of the guilty ones I admit and I understand where you're coming from. It is dangerous no doubt.

Not that it makes any difference and I'm sure you still think I'm an ass but I am not reckless in the least believe it or not...I guess the term "reckless" is relative but...

The Cobra was through one gear between 2 stop lights before we shut down just as he overtook me....Late, absolutely no cars and NOT even that fast, just a quick sprint.

The WRX STI I spoke about was stupid, but there were still absolutely NO cars around but us.

I get egged on by people in traffic and absolutely decline. I'm not into "street racing" per-sey, just quick runs against others to see who's got what. There is a huge difference.

Again, I'm not defending my actions, I know it's stupid. uch:

 

[mvpatriot]

great thread. Keep it safe and fun, it is possible to do both.

 

[jmk]

There have been innumberable times when some guy pulls up next to me and wants to egg me into a race. This happens unbelievably a lot of times on crowed frontage roads, and in traffic. I decline either with a wave or just ignore them, but more often then not they slam it anyway and prove that they can run, zipping ahead through traffic. (Most of the time it is a foregone conclusion that I would have smoked them anyway, so what do I have to prove? :wink: ) Sure I exceed the speed limit, usually on an uncrowded interstate or back road which has few access points for merging traffic. I'm no saint, but neither am I an idiot.

 

[II kings 9:20]

I am with you KC, some of us have made comments cautioning on the dangers of street racing, Kudos for starting a thread on this, one of us long timers on the forum should have done this long ago.
Take it to the track if you want to race.

 

[5point7]

Great thread kid...

We read about the tradegies every day, unfortunately, my guess is that those reading this thread who do "participate" feel it won't happen to them, because they "know how to drive" or "know their limits", (or my own personal favorite because I believe it too( "if everyone drove like me there wouldn't be any problems".... hey, at least people would merge at the speed limit... and wouldn't THAT be nice!

We are talking street racing here - 2 cars to any speed over the posted limit in a race to see who's faster..whether in traffic on the freeway or stop light to stop light.

Hey, I'm as guilty as anyone who jumps on the freeway onramp and hits 60+, or punches it with no one in front of me to hit 50 in a 45 to hear the exhaust and feel the acceleration...but that's not the discussion here.

I'm going a little off topic with this, but it relates to DRIVING a car rather than just operating a motor vehicle. I disagree with comments like "I know my limits" - Let me ask - How do you know your limits?

In a "street race" things happen fast, most likely before you have time to even think about what your doing - let alone the car that is pulling into the intersection 100 yards ahead of you and doesn't see you closing in at 80mph because she is on a cell phone, or turning the radio station, or unwrapping a cheeseburger happy meal for the 2 kids in the back seat.... It takes less than a second...and lives change forever...many lives change - families, friends...in this situation, racing or not, will you know how to control your car, and get out of it safely?

This car is probably better than 95% of the members on this board (me included)...meaning I bet 95% of the owner's of a 300C can not drive this car in a controlled environment to the car's limits. Your own personal limits will hold you back, not the car. I know have some heads shaking BS on this in their own disbelief......so let me ask this:
Do you think you could keep up with a Nascar driver (any of them, take your pick) if your were both driving stock 300C's?

If you don't believe me or think I'm full of BS, Go take a class!
You will thank yourself, and you could save your own life by knowing how to react and drive your car out of a deadly situation. **Not only that, but it's the most fun I've EVER had (with clothes on) driving my own car on a race course.

Keep it safe, and keep it on the track. :smoker:

 

[calman]

5point7 makes a great case. If you read Northern Rider's great write up about his time on the track, you can see where training and track time is definately a big asset when it comes to finding the potential of your car in a controlled location. For every "good" driver, there are also many others on the road who view the car as nothing more than an apppliance and drive them the same way. The performance of new cars in general are much higher (not just straight line acceleration) than those in the late sixties and early seventies - the muscle car era. I sometimes think people feel a little invincable with the safety and driving assist features built into new cars and overestimate their driving abilities.

 

[Northern Rider]

Kid, this thread was needed. Lots of good thoughts already expressed.

Calman, as you've pointed out, 5point7 is spot on with his observations.

I'd like to add a couple of my own.

Driving on our urban streets and expressways is more demanding and dangerous today than it has been at any point in the past.

Today, I was behind an old, rusted white civic at a stop sign, waiting to cross a road then go straight up a ramp onto the expressway to meet a buddy for lunch. The Honda pulls forward - realizes his nose is going to be amputated by a truck - slams into reverse - and bangs into my front bumper.

I couldn't get out of the way - no place to go. I jumped out of my car and loudly introduced myself to this bone head with, "You a$$h###!!!! WTF, were you thinkin???"

I have driven my 300C for over a year now, with only a few, tiny paint chips on it. Now this. Turns out - just a cracked plastic lense on my licence plate cover.

You just never know what the other guy is gonna do.

And, it is getting worse. Simply put, there are far too many unskilled and inattentive drivers on the road. These people can cause serious and grievous harm to you and your loved ones - in the blink of an eye.

Sure, cars are safer today with multiple air bags, belts, crumple zones - but at some point, the laws of physics take over. Roadway collisions claim far more victims amongst our citizens than all the foreign wars combined.

What can you do to protect yourself? Well, you could listen to the likes of Ralph Nadar and become a cautious, slow, tentative driver of some tiny, underpowered econobox. By doing that, you become a bigger part of the problem, and place yourself at even more risk, in my opinion.

there is another approach.

You can learn how to drive.
How to drive your vehicle at the limits of its abilities.
How to maintain control on slippery surfaces.
How to use power and steering to avoid trouble before resorting to braking.
How to scope your surroundings automatically.
How to train your mind to calculate escape routes and alternate paths.

You might learn a bit of this on the road, but the best bet is a performance driving school. On a race track or skid pad. Go back at least once a year to brush up reflexes and techniques.

The result? You will be a confident, assertive driver; less tense and tired; more aware of any dangers approaching your comfort zone from any angle. You will instinctively avoid trouble. And put a lot more fun into your motoring.

And street racing? Sustained racing in and out of public traffic is insane behavior. A short burst off the line is - most of the time - not a good idea if any car or pedestrians are around.

If the coast is clear, and conditions safe - I see no harm in it, providing you know how to drive and - are able to get out of the way, in case the other guy doesn't know how to handle his ride.

Now matter how well you think you drive, you just never know what the other guy is gonna do.

 

[calman]

I also think part of the problem is that there are people who will buy a car like the 300C without ever realizing the power the car has and the first time they have to hit the gas hard, it surprises them to the point of almost losing control of the car. Only a low percentage of people will ever see the other side of 75% of the potential of their car and the sad fact is that in an emergency situtation, they have no idea what the car will do, especially braking and handling. I know a lot of drivers who seem afraid to really hammer on the brakes when they need to.

My kids are old enough to drive now and I make it a point to take them out somewhere where they can see how the cars feels under full throttle - standing and rolling starts and hard braking. I figure it's better to do it with me in the car than them trying it on their own on the street. Would love to see more performance driving courses for younger drivers to improve their real world driving skills.

 

[vvv90]

I also think part of the problem is that there are people who will buy a car like the 300C without ever realizing the power the car has and the first time they have to hit the gas hard, it surprises them to the point of almost losing control of the car. Only a low percentage of people will ever see the other side of 75% of the potential of their car and the sad fact is that in an emergency situtation, they have no idea what the car will do

I'm not supporting street racing here, but I gotta ask....Considering what you said...

Why did everyone buy a 340+ HP Hemi 300 then?

We're getting off the topic of street racing here.

Some people have said "Street racing is different, I just go fast in car when there's no one to race and I know my limits."

This was a comment made from someone condemning street racing....So I can easily say to that person, "WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?" You're still excerting the extreme power you car was made to produce and you bought it to do just that and YOU'RE BREAKING THE LAW!

We're AAAALL guilty of rationalizing our own situation here.

Also some other people who've posted thus far have OTHER very very fast cars......Why did you buy them?

If everyone drove 55 none of us would need a car more powerful than a Toyota Prius now would we?

Again, I'm not condoning street racing with what I just said, I just find it ironic people think there's any sort of differentiation between driving fast PERIOD vs. street racing. Driving fast is "against the law" so by that rationale you shouldn't do it.

So let's just trade in for Priuses.

What I'm getting at is I think anyone condeming going fast in a 300c NO MATTER WHAT THE PURPOSE is, either street racing or just hammering the gas from a stop is driving recklessly and it's a black and white issue.

 

[Dutch]

What do you all mean by street racing? Racing someone up to 80 or 100 on city streets? Yes, that's very bad. However, there is nothing wrong with doing the ol' 0-50 or so stop light race.

Every person on this board has done that, and there's nothing wrong with it as long as you use some sense.

BTW I'm 32 and I have a wife and 2 kids, so I know of what I speak.

 

[vvv90]

I know of what I speak.

You sure do...Afterall, 16.766 @ 86MPH couldn't hurt a fly.








Just kidding, I couldn't resist.