Something Worthwhile in
San Diego

7/7/03

irst off, a hearty thanks to all who E-mailed me with their thoughts on illegal street racing and the whole 2F2F subject. I am glad to say all who wrote were in agreement on just how stupid an idea it was for NHRA pro cars to help publicize that movie. Apparently, the dues-paying membership of NHRA gets it, even if those at the top do not. The real shame of this whole thing is the damage that was done to organized drag racing's efforts to get people out of the street racing scene and into an organized and safe environment. It will probably be a long time before any of us fully realize the true impact of a few "professional" teams making a few dollars at the expense of the sport's long-term reputation. We can only hope that people in positions of power can see the error, and act to rectify it.

In San Diego, California someone is and has been doing something about street racing for several years now. A member of the academic community, not the racing community, has been the prime mover in founding a group known as RaceLegal. Dr. Stephen Bender, a professor at San Diego State University put together a federally funded, not for profit 501(c)3 organization whose aim is to get young people out of street racing (and some attendant behavioral problems) and into a safer, saner scene. The group has been holding events in the parking lot of Qualcomm Stadium, and regularly attract over 2000 racers/car buffs/thrill seekers. Whatever they are, they aren't being it on the street. And that's a good thing.

RaceLegal enjoys the cooperation and support of San Diego State University, the San Diego Police Association, and the National Highway, Transportation and Safety Association, among other area business and governmental entities. All involved feel their efforts are beginning to make a difference in the street racing scene.

Even better, from a drag racing enthusiast's point of view, their success has led to the construction of the first new drag strip in the San Diego area in thirty years. RaceLegal, working in conjunction with the developers of the Barona Indian Resort and Casino have established Barona Drag Strip, NHRA's newest Division 7 track. Currently operating as an eighth-mile track with seating for about 3000, it is a real alternative to racing on the street and a good spot for San Diego racers who are already in drag racing to race without towing about 350 miles each way. Track operators hope to expand to the full quarter-mile distance soon, and plan on hosting NHRA Division 7 points races along with a regular program catering to the RaceLegal crowd and agenda.

I would be the first to say that street racing is not as big a problem in some areas of the country as it is in others. But it is a problem wherever it is happening. If you have concerns about street racing in your area, here's a source you could look to for some help. I strongly urge you to go to www.racelegal.com and/or www.baronadragstrip.com and look around. There are plenty of links, plenty of names and lots of helpful information if you are interested in doing something about street racing. Hopefully your local drag strip is already involved, but if they aren't there is no reason you can't be. Hey, if a professor at San Diego State can do some good in stopping street racing, so can we.

FISHING FOR CONTENT

When I am looking around the drag racing world, one thing I see plenty of is circuits. And I for one, like that! I just can't seem to get around enough to see more than a couple of them in action each year. Almost all circuits feature a fair number of interesting, good looking cars campaigned by hard core racers who just want to race, but don't want to bracket race or put themselves through the national event strain.

I would like to see these groups get a bit of publicity, and I think drag racing fans would enjoy seeing the great diversity of equipment currently in action out there. So I'm asking any group that wants a bit of ink to send me some news and photos, whatever you can manage regarding your circuit's racing activities. I'm not gonna pay you, so don't send any invoices! But if you can see the value in getting your group in the electronic pages of Drag Racing Online, send me some news. We'll make ya famous! Well, more famous than you are right now. We can call the section, "Match Race Madness." That one may already taken -- we may have to "lawyer up" here! Anyway, we can think of something to call it, if we get enough response. I am looking forward to it. I just hope someone else is too!!

Later!

racer4339@aol.com