Great Drag vs. Street Racing article

[2rismo]

Drag Racing Ethos Lost In Translation

Grant Stephens

A recent display of illegal street racers attacking police in Sydney has created a wrongful persecution of the ever-popular sport of drag racing in Australia.

An outcry by drag racing officials and fans right across the Nation is hoping to finally put paid to the misconceived perception that the sport encourages illegal pursuits on public roads and highways.

In total contrast Queensland’s Willowbank Raceway only recently hosted more than 100 drag racers at its Ipswich facility, during a monthly round of the grassroots Group Three Track Championships competition.

Individuals hailing from as far south as Casino in Northern New South Wales right up the Coast to Maroochydore plus numerous inland centres of South-East Queensland contested the five category finals on Saturday night.

A similar number of drivers were out in force at the Western Sydney International Dragway during their Summernationals warm-up Event.

In total during the 2003/04 season, Willowbank Raceway hosted more than 10 000 drivers who were involved in competition sanctioned by the Australian National Drag Racing Association (ANDRA).

“It is disturbing for the sport of drag racing to be linked to the shameful acts of hooligans who choose to risk their own lives and the lives of others in the pursuit of cheap thrills through illegal street racing,” said Willowbank Raceway Acting General Manager Sue Syrmis.

“Unfortunately there appears no distinction in the fact that drag racing has evolved to counter such dangerous illegal pursuits that are jeopardising the safety of everyone.

“We have drivers travelling more than four hours to challenge themselves and their machines across the quarter mile competition distance.

“In most cases we are talking about entire families including mothers, fathers, sons and daughters who assemble for regular race meetings.

“This runs in total contrast to what we are seeing at these illegal racing activities where the law-breakers tend to be young and in most cases inexperienced, dangerous drivers.

“These people need to realise there are avenues that exist where competitive driving can be undertaken in a safe, controlled environment.

“A local raceway is the only place to race.”

A statement by the North American National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) following the 2001 release of the movie ‘The Fast and the Furious’ fully demonstrates how far removed the sport is from illegal street racing.

“The illegal street racing portrayed in the movie is not drag racing. Drag racing is an organized sport for high-performance vehicles conducted on a safer, controlled race course,” said the then NHRA President Tom Compton.

"During our 50-year history, the NHRA has worked tirelessly to improve safety for competitors and fans attending drag racing events.

“In fact, the NHRA was formed in 1951 by Wally Parks to take hot rod enthusiasts off the streets by providing racing opportunities at organized venues.

“Working with civic leaders and law enforcement officers to accomplish his vision, Parks developed what has evolved into the premier sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing.”

Brisbane’s six-time, Australian drag racing champion Victor Bray supports such a view, detailing the amazing progress the sport is currently making.

“The only reason people get confused with illegal street racing and drag racing is through ignorance as most of the detractors have never been to a drag racing Event, said Bray.

“This is something that is never going to go away, but we are Championship drag racers that compete in a controlled, well coordinated environment whereas illegal street racers are the total opposite, preferring to race in dangerous situations.

“The major problem that exists is the machinery on your performance vehicles today has well and truly surpassed the overall safety of public roads.

“Even your standard family car is so much quicker now than 10 or 20 years ago so putting it all into context illegal street racing is very much an extremely dangerous past-time.

“Drag racing is one of the easiest sports to get into just by turning up at Willowbank Raceway with your $34 and then testing your skills against other drivers wanting to prove their capabilities.”

Winner of the recent Torque’s Cheap Performance and Wholesale Cars Street category at Willowbank Raceway, Matthew McKnight comes from a family that typifies the modern culture of drag racing.

The 27 year-old Redbank Plains driver is regularly joined at the track by his father John and 31 year-old sister Lisa, while mother Annette dutifully fulfils the vital Pit Crew role for each of the drivers.

At present Matthew is leading his category in the Track Championship Series after securing a semi-final berth, runners up placing at the recent iTEL Nationals before leading the way during his more recent outing.

“I’m definitely a rev-head from way back having been a spectator at many motorsports events before driving my small Gemini road car competitively once I got my provisional licence,” said Matthew.

“Dad and Lisa followed suit soon after and it’s really become a family affair at Willowbank.

“The adrenalin that’s pumping when you’re pushing your car to the limit is enough to satisfy my thrill seeking ways.

“But when you’re at the Raceway you’re not risking other people’s lives and have to maintain the specific safety requirements of drag racing so it makes for an enjoyable day and night of racing for everyone.”

In other Track Championship Events Andrew Pinkstone maintained his good form in Bailey’s Brake and Clutch Modified, Ultimate Financial Group Sedan honours went to reigning champ George Wegener, Mark Han**** made the journey from Casino worthwhile with success in Whales Motorcycle World Modified Bike, while Toowoomba’s Garreth Butler defeated Loughlin Boyde in Queensland Diesel Spares Junior Dragster.

“The message is clear to those wanting to satisfy a need for speed to get behind the wheel of their own vehicle in a controlled environment at Ipswich’s Willowbank Raceway,” added Syrmis.

“All licensed drivers are permitted to compete against the clock over the regular quarter mile competition distance, during regular Test ‘n’ Tune sessions conducted most Saturday nights and Wednesday’s at Queensland’s home of drag racing.

“To satisfy your competitive spirit enter into the Street Series where handicap racing allows you to compete side-by-side against similar timed vehicles.

“This is an exciting 12-round Series open to cars and bikes where it is possible to become a Willowbank Raceway track champion.

“Women drivers are well catered for and can test their mettle against the men or compete in the exclusively female Powderpuff bracket and associated series.

“There’s also a Junior Dragster bracket and series for children aged 8-16 years.

“Willowbank Raceway continues to boost its reputation as a safe-haven for motorsporting pursuits with a strong contingent of families and individuals already competing.”

For motorsports fans happy to watch professionals perform their high speed endeavours from the the grandstands, every month between now and the Winternationals on June 10-12, Willowbank Raceway will play host to some top line activities.

These include the Cruzin’ Magazine Nostalgia Drags on February 20, a Supercharged Outlaws feature on March 12, the ever-popular Queensland Times Tin Top Titles featuring Top Doorslammer and Pro Stock on April 23/24 and another action packed feature program on May 15.

[teejay]

unfortunately you will never kerb street racing.

its human nature to want to better others, and mix that with ego, and a chance meeting on the street, and its on.

shame, because unfortunately its costing ppl lives.

[Abo Bob]

I notice "regular Test ‘n’ Tune sessions conducted most Saturday nights".

Why don't we have that here?

Having street meets nearly every wednesday and more professional meets at other odd times doesn't seem to me to be enough.

How many cars do you usually get on a wednesday street meet?

I have heard about hour to an hour and a half between runs which may or may not be true but it's enough to discourage me from going.

People love cruising on friday and saturday nights so there should be more street meets on these nights to attract the people who might otherwise be tempted to do the wrong thing.

Do they have lots of classes so that they can make announcements during the event like,

"Habib Jones just made the fastest pass of the day in the 1.5 litre non turbo category. Congratualations Habib."

or,

"...Mitsubishi Mirage category..."

You don't need prizes, just kudos.

Just a theory. Needs some input by others.

[MrBlonde]

Good one Adrian.

[2rismo]

AB, I'd love nothing more than to have Wednesday nights AND Saturday nights at WSID. Waiting so long between runs is a function of great demand for their product but not enough supply.

I think an email to Peter Pike @ WSID from enough people might be in order. He's the Drag Racing Manager and the guy to speak to about this kind of stuff. If Willowbank can do it, why cant "The 27 Million dollar, World Class Facility" do it?

Worth a shot.

teejay - There will always be d1ckheads, you're right. BUT that doesn't mean we should stop trying to get the above message out there.

Adrian

[MrBlonde]

I've seen racers with that sticker (Street racing is not drag racing). Why not get a batch of them for all here who race Wednesday nights?

[NXTIME]

Kenny, I have already put that suggstion forward (but with SAU on the sticker), and Adrian is going to take care of that. Maybe we could retain the ANDRA logo and just add the SAU logo, but make the stickers larger - from memory, the ANDRA ones aren't that big.I am willing to pitch in some dollars if needed to go towards making them up.

[oscar32]

I completely agree, an hour between runs is just crap. But the track is a LOT better than the street.

If there is a demand, do something about it!

I'm sick of the government, the RTA and the police all cracking down on people who use their cars as recreation, then provide no facilities and wonder why things go wrong.

[NXTIME]

I completely agree, an hour between runs is just crap. But the track is a LOT better than the street.  

If there is a demand, do something about it!

I'm sick of the government, the RTA and the police all cracking down on people who use their cars as recreation, then provide no facilities and wonder why things go wrong.

The way I see it is like this: if you were in charge of a track like WSID, would you want to open twice a week for street meets and not make any money from it? My point is this: there needs to be a consistent demand/desire/need for off-street meets before they can even consider opening on Saturday nights. I was at WSID last Wed and it was full (max of 160 cars was reached) and it was the biggest meet with regard to both racers and spectator numbers I had been to in recent months. This may have had something to do with recent illegal events, but either way, there needs to be the demand there for WSID to open. Most other meets that I have been to recently have not even come close to having full contignet of allowable cars.

It is not up to the Govt or police to provide any facilities - they already exist at WSID! But they are not being used. Things like drag days organised by car clubs and forums need to be done more often to encourage people to take racing off the streets.

Perhaps this can be added to the positive activities that we as a club can undertake to offset the negative ones of illegal street racing. I have mentioned before that we can start off with simple things, like SAU's own "Street racing is not drag racing" stickers. Then this can be followed up with a "Street racing is not drag racing" cruise. Then we could possibly have a "Street racing is not drag racing" day at WSID. At the same time, we could promote such positive activities via the media and magazines.

[2rismo]

Emailed Tony Thornton two days ago and no reply.

May just go ahead and make them anyway

[NXTIME]

No problem, Adrian. Let me know if you need a hand with costs or whatever. I think it would be a good idea to at least have "SAU" on there, if not "ANDRA" also.