Evo Street Racers: Street Racing Legislation

Mesa Community College: Street racing shifts image.

Source: The America's Intelligence Wire
Date: December 24, 2003
Author: Scott Thomas

Nov. 13, Phoenix police coordinated what they said was the largest drag racing bust in state history. Ten people were arrested for drag racing, and 165 bystanders were arrested for various other illegal activities such as underage drinking and trespassing. Five days earlier on Nov. 8, Firebird International Raceway, Auto Trader Magazine, and many other sponsors worked together to host an event intended to provide not only entertainment for participants and attendees, but also to help get drag racing off the streets and back on to the race track.

"Be fast. Look good. Have fun. Be competitive. Take it to the track!" That is the motto of Dragracing.com, a Web site dedicated to street racing and the integrity of the sport. They are trying to give drag racing a better name by forming events at real race tracks, instead of on the streets where it puts the lives of racers, spectators and others at risk. Timing could not have been any better to raise awareness about the dangers and consequences for illegal street racing.

For $10 anyone could attend the event and watch some of the Valley's most dedicated car owners take their hobby to the highest level -- competitive racing. For only five more dollars, drivers with up to six-cylinder engines in their cars could race their car against the others. Proving the popularity of the sport, the line of cars that waited to enter the gates stretched all the way back to the freeway. Many people waited over a half an hour to get inside. Many drivers came to impress with lightning times. Racers like Mike Fischer and Michael Maggiore were posting quarter-mile times of 10.480 and 10.781 respectfully.

The real star of the night was Paul Coggeshan, who drove a quarter of a mile in 9.992 seconds, setting the record as the first person at these events to post a time under 10 seconds. Coggeshan called his car the "V-8 killer" in reference to his belief that his car could beat any car with a V-8 engine. Although the event's purpose was to bring racers off the street, the crowd in general still felt that drag racing will always have its place on the street.

Racing fan Sean Kreuger said, "As long as there is a red light there will be street racing. Curiosity will always win. A motor head is always curious at what someone else's car can do." Lionel Torres, Sports Compact Only announcer, brought an added spice to the night over the speaker that couldn't be replaced by just anyone. Torres's unorthodox ways of announcing, and at times, his plain lack of professionalism was actually a recipe for entertainment.

Dry humor and an impressive overall knowledge of the vehicles added an important touch to the night. Owner of a 1991 Honda CRX and car enthusiast, Mario Locarano, admitted to racing illegally on the streets, although he did not race at the Firebird drag race.

"There is nothing like the rush," Locarano said. "I think this (SCO Night) is great. I think there should be a track open 24 hours where people could go to race anytime legally. That way it would not be putting the lives of others at risk." The past events that have been held on Saturday nights have been a success and this one was no different, recording the best turn-out to date.