Awesome story.
Amazing post.
I know I know. My uncle is a cop haha. I know there's some good ones out there. I'm just sick of "street racers" all being put in the same category. There's still some decent, safe, respectful racing out there and it shouldn't be bashed at the fault of the ignorant douchebag kids of today. I guess I'm still a kid at 21, but I'm thankful for the way I was brought up and not dragged down with them.
You're right, idk what the condition of the hobby is today. If it still exists, in the fields, industial parks, the dark corners, where it was when I left it, then the traditions I learned are being upheld. Low crowds, little notice. The TRUE racers, you didn't know we were there. If you want to look, you'll find it, if its still there. We had our SPOTS- teh White Castles, where you'd find other guys, heavier duty machinery. Bring friends. When they leave, all at the same time, follow them. There will be no invitation. They won't say,"Hey, we're going to do some illicit, illegal activities with our motor vehicles, for anyone that wants to join us" cuz those morons that think you can actually street race in a Honda will go with. Those cars, those guys, aren't invited. They may take you to a really bad nieghborhood, or into the cornfields. Its ok, you prolly won't be found in a shallow grave(again, prolly). You have to appear as though you've done this before, happens all the time, cool. They don't need guys snapping pics with their phones(Michael Phelps), calling buddies with the "This is so cool" calls. It is, but it isn't conversed about-til later. I highly suggest you do not race. No matter who asks, what they offer, how much fun it sounds like. If they ask, tell them the cars broke, its your brothers, it don't run well without direct sunlight, anything, you ain't racing. Newbies will be set up. Watch, be quiet, and learn the language, the people. Guys will argue, over money, if someone wants the swing, cars set out, takes hours sometimes. I hated that portion of events, I'm not a salesman. We had Ray for that. Talk to guys he never met like they were fishing buddies, into making concessions they maybe shouldn't have- Ray made us a LOT of money. There was a whole society theat existed after dark, real street rats, hardest core car nuts in the country. Running cars you can't believe- guys with chassied Buick 225's, Plymouth Fury's, Dusters, those late 70's Malibu's were easy for a build. We had a guy with a Chevy Monza, I didn't know they had 8's in them til I saw that run. They're good guys, most of them. Here, some 20 years later, when Suzy and me hook up with what she calls my "Car guys", we laugh, remember when we used to go the dark side. Smile the whole time, every one of us. This year, Bubba(every group has to have a Bubba) finished the tattoo of a drag parachute on his back. Really. And he's a big guy. He used to run an 87 GT, and for real, a 70 Chevelle. Him and his wife just had their second baby, he manages a local machine shop/parts outlet, thats gonna build my motor. These guys become your family, if they're anything like my guys were. Its always been a good thing for me to have met my "car guys".