Street RacingAlmost every night, young drivers around
the country enter into a dangerous game of cat and mouse with
local law enforcement officials as they try to seek out
locations to engage in illegal street racing events. It
happens in virtually every major city around the world. While
their parents sleep, young men and women sometimes in their
own cars, sometimes in the family car, sometimes by merely
spectating, are prepared to risk life and limb in the pursuit
of 'fun',. Yet despite the accidents, arrests, fines and the
danger and risks associated with Illegal Street racing, this
activity has been going on for over 50 years.
Many wonder what the attraction is. Quite simply, it is
because we live in a car culture. The car has for the past 50
years represented freedom to young men and women and
independence from one's parents. As time has passed however,
automobiles have become a symbol of expression and even
'responsible' adults find themselves buying cars to make a
statement of some kind. The difference these days is young
people have greater access to high performance cars,
performance parts to customise these cars and a higher
disposable income. If you couple this together with the
natural competitive streak most young adults possess and a
desire to increase social standing among their peers, you
begin to understand some of the basic drivers behind street
racing.
The catalyst is adrenaline but like oil and water, petrol,
adrenaline and testosterone dont mix. Every young person
enjoys a rush, some find it through illegal substances, others
find it in gasoline.
The combination of compact, affordable high performance
cars producing enormous amounts of horsepower, adrenaline and
young people wishing to make a statement can be a dangerous
mix in the wrong place.
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