About that TV SHOW on A&E... (kinda long)

[Vaughn8v@aol.com]

Yo, 

    I certainly think that a documentary on street drags was long overdue.  I 
know that in the Portland area (or at least a few years ago when I was 
interested) there is a reasonably big street drag scene.  There basically are 
2 different groups of guys that go out and race.  
    
    The bigger group meets (or met) in a HomeBase parking lot.  They consist 
of dozens of Buttrockers and thier big V8 cars and a few various and sundry 
imports (Z-cars, older RX-7's, etc).  They would usually assemble around 
11:00pm Fridays and Saturdays during the summer until departing to various 
undisclosed locations to get it on.

    The smaller group consists of the "import" guys, which means primarily 3 
diffferent makes of cars:  Honda, Mitsubishi (Eclispes), and VWs.  They would 
usually meet in the downtown area and depart from there.  I found this group 
MUCH more interesting.....  and more clever.

    It seemed that the Buttrockers and Co. never got innovative as far as 
where they should choose to race next.  It was always (at least when I went) 
the same stupid 6 or 7 spots that ALWAYS got them picked by the blue and red 
after 10 minutes or so.  The "import" dorks always seemed to find better and 
more secluded spots at which to race.  Thus there were allot more occasions 
with them that we would race for a good 30-45 minutes before calling it 
quits.  I'd say we were ran off by cops maybe 50-60% with them as opposed to 
99.9% with the other group.
    
    I had my Corrado when I would spend my Fridays and Saturdays watching the 
drags.  I think I may have ran two or three times, two of which were 
successful, but never had made many mods to my car.  So I was, for the very 
most part, a spectator.     
    Very very dangerous, but at least the import retards always found 
secluded spots to run at (and people always stand behind the dragging cars, 
not all along the strip!).  I remember there was this Civic that was owned by 
this Abercrombie wearing fat slob (which the "Mike P." guy who owned the 
white Civic in the show was VERY VERY reminiscent of) had easily 20-25K 
dumped into it.  And it was pretty fast.  But my buddy at the time had a well 
running 16v Scirocco.  He ran way more than I did, and I enjoyed watching 
him...  his prey was usually CRXs, older Preludes and such.  Easy 16v 
Scirocco food! :)  There were a few times where he would run against 
GS-Rs(unmodified), and usually would nose ahead of them.  But the little 
unmodified poser Hondas were much more fun!!  :)  

    Anyway, he actually ran against that black Civic one night.  It was 
sporting a carbon fiber hood, a GS-R 1800 motor, nice 17 inch rims on the 
back with donuts on the front, and most importantly, lost of stickers!!  My 
friend didn't lose by but maybe a car length!  A $3500 VW versus 1000's and 
1000's in that Civic!

    At any rate, that show was very interesting, and I liked how they 
profiled those two guys, both of whom I think are very sad...  the "Mike P." 
who lives with his Mom so he can dedicate his entire paychecks to souping his 
car, and even worse, the fat Italian guy, his supposed adversary whose sole 
aspiration is to beat "Mike P." in a drag race.  I mean, I love my Scirocco, 
but that is a very enjoyable hobby...

...NOT MY WHOLE DAMN LIFE!!

Just my .02

Ben
88 "Flash Silver Metallic" 16v Scirocco
Portland, OR    
    
    
    

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