Legal Street Racing?

[niky]

http://news.windingroad.com/countriesmarkets/euro/polish-city-makes-street-racing-legal/

In Poland, the old adage “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” rings true. In an effort to reduce widespread illegal street racing, officials have made it legal in a section of the city of Lodz to street race at night. Obviously, measures have been taken to ensure the safety of bystanders by police and the Lodz Motoring Club.

“We’ve come to an understanding with the organisers of the illegal races,” said the head of the Club, Lech Ryszewski. The motoring club has created a Street Legal section, which will organise the races in closed off streets, under the supervision of licensed organisers and judges. In return, participants are obliged to make sure no-one organises similar races on city streets.”

The Lodz Police hope that encouraging the street racers to race in a controlled zone will cut down on the illegal, and more dangerous, activity in other parts of the city. But, Polish press have criticized the city for catering to people who partake in illegal activity.

So... errh... can we discuss this in the forums now? With the disclaimer, of course, that we're all Polish.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

In my home town - it's in Poland for the purposes of this discussion - the police tried to appeal to the street racing scene to join the local car club rather than risk their lives on public roads late at night, and they were told their previous street racing would be ignored (ie some people might have seen it as entrapment), but no-one joined. The kids seemed to think they were hardcore by doing something illegal and liked the notoriety they were getting because of it ... until one of them had an accident that was estimated to be at 180 km/h. There wasn't much left of the car as the driver had hit so hard that pieces of the car were scattered over an area the size of a soccer field.

 

[Blake]

Well I suppose it’s cheaper than building a race track.

Of course I would firmly support any decisions of a similar nature around the rest of the world. That rocks. 👍

In my home town - it's in Poland for the purposes of this discussion

 

[V1P3R]

They should do something like in FF3 where they use a parking garage. That way they all hit the walls, the structure collapses, and they all die.

 

[Duke]

So... errh... can we discuss this in the forums now? With the disclaimer, of course, that we're all Polish.

Discussing street racing as an idea, for debate on its dangers (lots) and merits (none), is perfectly fine. What we don't want to see is "kill stories" and people bragging about street racing they've done as if it was cool.

 

[Blake]

Out of interest, where does one draw the line between “spirited driving” (which we’ll all admit to, I’m sure) and “street racing” which we all deplore?

 

[TheCracker]

Out of interest, where does one draw the line between “spirited driving” (which we’ll all admit to, I’m sure) and “street racing” which we all deplore?

'Spirited driving' becomes 'street racing' when you begin competing against another person/car.

 

[Famine]

Out of interest, where does one draw the line between “spirited driving” (which we’ll all admit to, I’m sure) and “street racing” which we all deplore?

"Spirited driving" isn't timed, nor does it have the express purpose of beating someone else.

 

[Alfaholic]

So there's no difference except one's a team event then?

 

[TheCracker]

Spirited driving can be done at any speed and totally within the law. Street racing probably can't.

 

[Famine]

So there's no difference except one's a team event then?

Interestingly incorrect interpretation.

 

[Blake]

"Spirited driving" isn't timed, nor does it have the express purpose of beating someone else.

Indeed, the purpose is to have fun. And to have fun you generally want to survive. Whereas competing against someone else introduces a new element where competitive instinct drives you further. To push perhaps harder than you would…

So now that’s sorted, why is drifting given such a bad wrap? The purpose is also to have fun, and you’re not competing, so what’s the beef?

By the way, I know the answers to these questions I’m just trying to get some explanations as to why people think what they do (most of us have driven pretty hard at some point, surely?) is safer than what others do. Try to find out how people justify certain things where another similar act is in no way justifiable to them.

 

[TheCracker]

So now that’s sorted, why is drifting given such a bad wrap? The purpose is also to have fun, and you’re not competing, so what’s the beef?

I'd have thought that it would be very difficult to 'drift' and still be within the law.

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

I think the problem with street racing full stop is just your surroundings. They can close off streets for the purpose of racing (every man's dream surely) but it doesn't change the fact that instead of being surrounded by sand traps, grassy plains and sometimes cement walls like at a race track, you are surrounded by people's homes, businesses and other public areas some of which will have people in them. No matter what, if in accident happens even in legalised street racing the cost will be much higher.

 

[Muzaffar]

I support this idea as well. It gives a lot of these "street racers" a chance to actually do something illegal without endangering themselves or others. 👍 Also, its way better to race on the streets than to spend money on track days....

So now I want to know is, why is street racing illegal? I mean, if you don't get caught it would be legal right? Of course, I want to be a street racer myself, but I would take some things into consideration..... So is touge racing illegal as well? Is illegal drifting safer than illegal circuit/drag racing? I really really want to give this a serious thought before I kill myself.....

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

I support this idea as well. It gives a lot of these "street racers" a chance to actually do something illegal without endangering themselves or others. 👍 Also, its way better to race on the streets than to spend money on track days....

So now I want to know is, why is street racing illegal? I mean, if you don't get caught it would be legal right? Of course, I want to be a street racer myself, but I would take some things into consideration..... So is touge racing illegal as well? Is illegal drifting safer than illegal circuit/drag racing? I really really want to give this a serious thought before I kill myself.....

Street Racing is always more dangerous to yourself or others in the event of a crash. I think that if they do this right in Poland by the time they set up enough safety equipment and do evrything else that's needed it would have been cheaper just to pay the guy's entry to a track. You know, the Council hires a track for a day.

 

[Leonidae]

It's not only stupid but also proves that you're a worthy Darwin's award candidate if you're really doing such daredevil stuff, trying to prove something that has no meaning to others than you and maybe couple of those people who witnessed the case.

If only society would have money to spend, they could build a racetrack within reasonable distance from the city, arrange facilities and personnel. I would use it for sure.. if I had a car that is.

Street "legal" racing, as well organized as it could be.. well, personally, I'd still be against it. I'd rather end up into a sand trap or tire barrier than the wall of a house. Racing events that take place on the street usually have minimal safety efforts done, whereas in track the marshals will inspect the car, you'll need a helmet, your car has to be in satisfactory condition, and there's not a slightest chance of oncoming traffic, as in Touge or street events.

 

[Muzaffar]

Street Racing is always more dangerous to yourself or others in the event of a crash. I think that if they do this right in Poland by the time they set up enough safety equipment and do evrything else that's needed it would have been cheaper just to pay the guy's entry to a track. You know, the Council hires a track for a day.

Yeah, agree with that even more. They could let the entries to the circuit for free or built a circuit nearby. But still, both methods still involves money in it. Obviously setting up a circuit on the streets would be much more cheaper than letting the drivers enter the circuit for free. But really, does these street racers even have a roll cage for their cars? If they don't, its obvious that the car would smash up into pieces more easily..... (or so I think....)

It's not only stupid but also proves that you're a worthy Darwin's award candidate if you're really doing such daredevil stuff, trying to prove something that has no meaning to others than you and maybe couple of those people who witnessed the case.

If only society would have money to spend, they could build a racetrack within reasonable distance from the city, arrange facilities and personnel. I would use it for sure.. if I had a car that is.

Street "legal" racing, as well organized as it could be.. well, personally, I'd still be against it. I'd rather end up into a sand trap or tire barrier than the wall of a house. Racing events that take place on the street usually have minimal safety efforts done, whereas in track the marshals will inspect the car, you'll need a helmet, your car has to be in satisfactory condition, and there's not a slightest chance of oncoming traffic, as in Touge or street events.

Okay, I do get your point. Track days is much better than racing on the streets, but the thing is, you have too many rules to comply with even before you enter the track and also have to pay a lot to race on the track as well as have limited track days. If you were on the street, you have no rules!!!! Of course, safety is an issue, but street racers would already know that and risk their lives in order to be a better racer or earn some respect.

*yeah yeah, I'm thinking too much NFS here.....*

 

[Stevisiov]

I think its a great idea. Its a shame that it should come to this but if it works then hopefully it will save lives. Chances are these people are too 'cool' to acctually take their car to a track, but even if they aren't at the safety of a race track then they are endangering themselves but at least not other road users and pedestrians.

So yeh good idea, it seems more likely to work than hiring out a track in the middle of nowhere once in a while.

 

[Leonidae]

which one will you rather have? Respect with few broken bones and wrecked ride + repair bill from the company that owns the house where you parked your car at 80mph, or slightly safer car, few good laptimes to prove that you can actually drive your car fast without risking anything?

 

[Sureboss]

People never heard of Drag Strips, huh?

Public roads aren't for racing (especially town and city roads like in Lodz). Abandoned airfields are fairly common through Europe due to the war. Okay, many of them have been taken up and developed but there are still ones out there. If police and government want to do something then transform one of them. Street racing for me, is a no-no. Especially given the twits who think they can control their car, when in reality they haven't a clue. Maybe if the Polish idea gets taken further they could demand a 'special' license for it.

 

[Joey D]

Spirited driving can be done at any speed and totally within the law. Street racing probably can't.

Sure it can, you can beat people off lights all the time up to the speed limit. There are some cops that say fast take offs are illegal but they do not have enough grounds to ticket you if you do not break traction (i.e. squeal the tires).

As for this, it's in a certain area and normal people aren't going to be there so I see nothing wrong with it. If you kill yourself while doing something stupid but no one innocent is at risk then there shouldn't be a problem.

 

[TheCracker]

Street racing isn't really about how fast your car is or how good a driver you are, it's about how far you are willing to push yourself. It's just showing off really. It's not a question of cost either. You can by a racing car and compete in a full seasons circuit racing for less than the price of a riced Trueno.

 

[Stevisiov]

which one will you rather have? Respect with few broken bones and wrecked ride + repair bill from the company that owns the house where you parked your car at 80mph, or slightly safer car, few good laptimes to prove that you can actually drive your car fast without risking anything?

I would rather drive at a track.

But these idiots obviously are too 'cool' and can't have fun without risking their lives it seems.

Its a good call to have them racing in private rather than publicly, then they are only endangering themselves.

 

[Muzaffar]

which one will you rather have? Respect with few broken bones and wrecked ride + repair bill from the company that owns the house where you parked your car at 80mph, or slightly safer car, few good laptimes to prove that you can actually drive your car fast without risking anything?

Yes, I would rather be in a track than on the streets if they let you race there for free everyday. But its not gonna happen is it? Look, there are people who do this not because of money or anything, they just race because they like it. If you know who Smoky Nagata is, he probably started street racing before he got famous, and until now, he still does speed runs illegally on the Wangan (or anywhere for that matter) just to get the thrill of going fast. Some people treat street racing just like any drugs used by drug addicts. It where they get their thrills.

Okay, maybe i'm taking this street racing thing too far. Each time I replied makes me look even more stupid!!!!

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

It's not only stupid but also proves that you're a worthy Darwin's award candidate if you're really doing such daredevil stuff, trying to prove something that has no meaning to others than you and maybe couple of those people who witnessed the case.

If only society would have money to spend, they could build a racetrack within reasonable distance from the city, arrange facilities and personnel. I would use it for sure.. if I had a car that is.

Street "legal" racing, as well organized as it could be.. well, personally, I'd still be against it. I'd rather end up into a sand trap or tire barrier than the wall of a house. Racing events that take place on the street usually have minimal safety efforts done, whereas in track the marshals will inspect the car, you'll need a helmet, your car has to be in satisfactory condition, and there's not a slightest chance of oncoming traffic, as in Touge or street events.

That's what I said in post #14, we agree on something.

And I must ask what this safety stuff you guys are talking about is. I think in Australia you can go to any race track and race your car as is, you just need the helmet, shoes, and correct apparel.

 

[TheCracker]

Sure it can, you can beat people off lights all the time up to the speed limit.

Got to love those 4 second races 👍

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

Got to love those 4 second races 👍

To 60km/hr is a little bit pointless. All that shows is who has better launch ability.

 

[Duke]

...which is precisely why street racing is a totally unacceptable thing.

If you are driving spiritedly by yourself, your main point is to have fun without breaking your car, yourself, or something else. It still takes a cool head and great care to recognize the limits of what is mostly safe and what is not safe. Even then, random chance can ruin your (or someone else's) day.

But as soon as you introduce competition, by definition, you've added something with a higher priority than safety. It's very easy to lose that cool head and ignore the limits. If you are focusing on an opponent, or a clock, you have less attention for random chance and less attention for the limits.

Drifting is the same way. Regardless of the speed (and how many people drift slowly?), you are deliberately exceeding the limits of the car as a test of your skill. It's easy to overestimate your skill. And even if you are a mad tite dori king (highly unlikely), by definition, drifting leaves a very much smaller margin to accomodate random chance.

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

Street roads are not normally very high quality either, even highways in Australia are very bumpy. Enough so that at higher speeds they will easily flip your car ten times over, then there's wildlife factor which is higher on streets. Even when by yourself making your car go faster than the norm of street driving is very very dangerous. Can I also say to the people who think "Aww it's OK, it's only my own life I'm risking". That's very selfish, imagine the grief your family and friends will go through if you die, plus the work you just made for Police and whoever else is involved in addressing a fatal car accident.