Driving Sports

I recently read an article in the Seattle Times about some street racers that were caught doing 90mph on a freeway -- weaving through traffic and generally pissing off the public at large. Naturally, as with any article involving youth, the general public voiced their concerns in the feedback section of the site. In general, it was self-righteous and predictable.

Some of these comments were calling for permanent impound of their Jettas and Sentras, others yelled "take it to the track," and -- of course -- a racer chimed in noting specific events they could compete in, along with the coupe de grace, "Am I going to see you at any of these events? No. I won't, and it's because your ego can't handle losing to old folks in new cars or young folks in old cars."

The "experienced racer" even had the cajones to suggest these racers compete in the Oregon Trail Rally. Yes sir, driving your mother's Sentra fast on the freeway is exactly the same thing as prepping a national-spec rally car. You got me there.

Now, I totally agree it's irresponsible to race on a public street. You will never read anything of mine where I'll say otherwise. However,  "taking it to the track" costs a day of time, hundreds or thousands in registration fees and very specific car prep that may be unpalatable to a normal driver. Normal people tend to forget that. Personally, I see zero comparison between street racing and sanctioned events. Might as well suggest a Guitar Hero fan pick up a real Stratocaster and jam at the neighborhood tavern. Apples to oranges.

A few years ago my 93 year old relative was allowed to pass his driver's test in Oregon. He's a wonderful gentleman, but he should not be driving. Plain as that. At the time he couldn't see and couldn't hear, yet he was given permission to pilot not just his car, but a massive motorhome through the public streets. Might as well give him the keys to the Nimitz and ask him to navigate through the Seattle locks. The fact that he so easily was given his license sent a cold chill down my spine. But it's exactly the problem. For some reason in this country we've come to believe that it's a God given right to drive. And, because of that complacency, we have a driver's test to match: Can you park? Do you know what a turn signal is? You pass. It would be laughable if it wasn't so scary.

As a nation we've failed in this regard. What we need is a real drivers test that requires serious car control. If drivers better understood just how quickly a car can lose control in speed situations, even the "kids" would have much more respect for the road and those around them. You screw up at 90mph, you crash. You will not hold a killer drift, you will not get the girl. You'll loose control completely and hit a large object with stunning impact. Heaven forbid that hard object is another car. As to the question if you live or die, that will completely be up to your maker. That goes not just for these racers, but many of the "regular" drivers that are severely under-educated about basic car control. Unfortunate for most of these guys, they learn in the real world, where there is no safely cushion.

As a parent, I am requiring my daughter to be able to recover from a 60mph skid before she can even consider driving. It's not because I'm some nutty gear head. It's because I want her to survive out there and, having crashed spectacularly myself (see picture), I know what that deafening impact feels like.

Seattle Times Excerpt:

The men, 18 and 21, were booked into the King County Jail on suspicion of reckless racing, but were released just before 1 a.m. today, jail records show. Troopers impounded their vehicles, a red Ford Mustang and a green-and-black Mustang, Martin said.

The third man, who was seen driving in the area after the first two men were arrested, was later arrested, but was released without being booked into jail. The 21-year-old's car, also a Mustang was impounded, too.

All three were driving in excess of 90 mph, Martin said.

Several drivers called 911 to report six vehicles being driven aggressively and erratically, beginning on Highway 516 in Kent, said Martin. Three of the racing vehicles — two Volkswagen Jettas and a Nissan SX — were also northbound on I-5 but exited the freeway before the Michigan Street exit, she said.

Photo: Forbes.com (one of my former cars)
Revision: Added an additional paragraph to the Seattle Times article.