Street Racing in PHX?

[Wolverine]

My teen daughter was telling us stories last night about how they have a big Fast -n- Furious crowd here in PHX and how they gather for street races. Supposedly they start some place downtown. But when the cops come (the racers do the whole police scanner thing), all the racers go out to Pinnacle Peak and Cave Creek to finish for the night.

She said there was some big attempted bust recently with police vans appearing out of the desert. This was trying to bust the Pinnacle/Cave Creek crowd.

Anybody heard of this or is it typical teenage exaggeration? I vote for the latter but I really shouldn't get a vote since I'm a newbie.

(btw - this question is out of curiosity only. I'm not interested in going to "Race Wars" or anything.)

[mikiec]

This happens all the time. About every 3 or 4 months after some investigation the cops bust the racers. They even bust the crowd that gathers to watch. Cars are towed and impounded, licenses are lost.. etc.

Mike

[Hiker]

Boy...what ever happened to the days of cruising Central. I was one of the lucky few that was able to park at the Central Ave Car Wash at Central & Thomas. The owner would only let GTO's park there since he had one. Now a 20 story building sits there.

[ItBites]

Yes,

Street racing is alive and well in PHX. I have a couple of younger friends who have really fast (9 sec) blown, nitroused, cars that race for cash on the streets regularly. These are not ricers, so, they may not be the same crowd your daughter refers to, but again, ricers may be the cars they are taking bets from?

[Maricopa]

You might want to check with Mr. Pink, he's the Kingpin behind all the local street racing (Nobody believed that whole 'air balancer' job story did they? there is no such thing!). He finances his lavish Scottdale mansion, summer home in the South of France (FTF) and stable of fine motor cars with his winnings.

[mikiec]

It's a shame this goes on.

I would like to see the local drag strips do
a run what you brung event. Loosen up on the NHRA/IHRA regs a bit for the event.

Yes, I know all about the track safety issues.

I figure it's safer on the track than the street.

Mike

[ItBites]

Just in case someone doesn't know me... I do not condone this activity. I just know a wide range of folks... I have never even been to one of these gatherings. I do know, however, from relaible people who do attend that these things do occur. Also, I have ridden in one of the cars and it is really, really fast.

[xlr8or]

Here in San Diego they have a sanctioned 1/8 mi setup at the local stadium that will let you run what you brung with a tech inspection.
http://www.racelegal.com/news/news.asp

Maybe someone in your area can get a similar setup going to get it off the street.

[mikiec]

Thanks, Scott...

I'll ask around.

Mike

[CoupedUp]

There is a similar program here in LA County at Irwindale Speedway:

"Irwindale Dragstrip, the fastest 1/8 mile Dragstrip in the Country, is open to all types of Racing and Street Legal vehicles. Racers can bring their Race Cars or Street Legal cars to the Irwindale Dragstrip on trailers and are allowed to run approved racing type slicks. All vehicles that participate must be either full bodied cars, roasters, dune buggies, jeeps, trucks, quad runners, snowmobiles or motorcycles, sorry no dragster type vehicles allowed.
Drivers must have a valid state driver's license or NHRA Competition License and sign a Waiver and Release form before being allowed to participate. Licensed minors must provide a signed "Waiver and Release of Liability and Indemnity Agreement Parents: Guardians: Minors" form before being allowed to participate. These forms must being signed by the minor’s Parents or legal guardian. These forms are available from Irwindale Dragstrip.

This community-based program is designed to offer a safe alternative to illegal street racing at the same time affording those participants who have real race cars and muscle cars a place to test there cars or just come out and see how fast they really are. Because of the incredible traction at Irwindale Dragstrip we have many Professional and Sportsman Drag Race Teams rent the facility for testing. Most of the factory supported NHRA Sports Compact Teams have tested at Irwindale Dragstrip in the last year."Irwindale Dragstrip, the fastest 1/8 mile Dragstrip in the Country, is open to all types of Racing and Street Legal vehicles. Racers can bring their Race Cars or Street Legal cars to the Irwindale Dragstrip on trailers and are allowed to run approved racing type slicks. All vehicles that participate must be either full bodied cars, roasters, dune buggies, jeeps, trucks, quad runners, snowmobiles or motorcycles, sorry no dragster type vehicles allowed.

Here is the link for anyone interested:
http://www.irwindalespeedway.com/dra...e/whorace.html

Hope they can get something going up in AZ to help keep people safe!

Doug

[ItBites]

Both Firebird and Speedworld offer Run-What-Ya-Brung racing for the full 1/4 mile.

I think Firebird does it on Friday and saturday nights, while Speed world does it on Friday (or Saturday?) and Wednesday nights.

Anyone can run, provided they pass tech for the times they intend to run (Cobras do not meet tech unless they have a 5-point cage). If you run faster than 14.00 in any car, you need a helmet.

If you run under 12.00, you will have to meet increasingly stringent tech requirements.

Both tracks are NHRA tracks and you will need to comply with NHRA rules. As far as loosening the rules: This is a difficult proposition. They have to hold to those rules to maintain their "official NHRA sanctioning". I do know they can occasionally cater to a "club", but this is the exception, no the rule. You gotta realize they generally have to hold NHRA rules, since that is their real bread and butter (the bi-yearly NHRA shows hosted).

The cost is low. $10 or $15 to race or watch.

All the street racers know this is available, but it is difficult to stage "grudge" races and therefore they race on the streets instead. This lack of "grudge" racing capability is the biggest reason the street racers won't go.

[mikiec]

E.

I know they have those nights, but they still maintain the regs. That also kills it for many.

There still needs to be a safe place for the kids to run, have fun and not endanger others on the road.

But, then again.... The state/county closed down AMP because of noise.

Mike

[ruslow]

When I was in High School in CA Sears Point offer grudge racing cost 5 bucks a car and many cruisers attended and yes money was exchanged too.But with all the laws and the 'sue happy lawyers and clients' that is now a thing of the past.Sorry to see it go It kept us off the streets kept us from drinking[cops were outside the gates waiting for any drunks] made for a fun and safe way to see who was the fastest.Oh and the way you staged if you wanted to run some one all you did was tell the guy pulling you forward who you wanted to run and he pulled you aside and you parked untill that car was next to you then ran.Oh for those days again!Stan

[bpete]

E,

Do you think a Cobra with a hard top would be able to to run at a NHRA sactioned track without a 5 point?

I remember a few years back running at Firebird, any convertables had to run with the top up and maybe even had to wear a helmet.

The northwest valley seems to have a lot of street racing. I see no reason for it when they are so close to Speedworld.

I have heard of it also in the Awatukke area as well. This is really lame when Firebird is just down the road from there.

[mikiec]

bpete,

The cobras can run at any of the tracks. However, you are limited to the same rules that any convertible needs to meet. No faster than 13.99 or 14.99. I think, with a top they drop it to 13.99 or 12.99.
Need to check NHRA regs.

Most of the time, at least at Firebird, they will not let us take to the track. Reason, we know you can go much faster than the limit.

At least Speedworld will let us run. We get one run under the limit free. The next we are asked to leave the track.

Mike

[ItBites]

bpete,

1. I do think a hardtop Cobra would be allowed down to 12.00 (like any coupe or sedan) with helmet. I do this with my 12.4 sec street Vette all the time (no roll bar).

2. The real issue is that it is very difficult to stage against a particular car and grudge race at the sanctioned tracks. Therefore tough to bet... That is the biggest reason the street racers take to the streets. Many of those cars would pass tech...

3. Convertibles always require a helmet, regardless of ET. Top up is also required, but this can be avoided if the car has no top.

Mikiec,

You are correct that a Cobra can run at the tracks. My comment that we cannot run without a 5-point was just assuming we all run under 14.00 (the limit for convertibles without 5-point cage).

Hardtop cars can run down to 12.00 without a roll bar (my 12.4 sec street Vette has no bar). In a coupe or sedan, you get down to 11.00 with a 4-point bar. Below that requires a cage of increasing complexity as ETs go lower...

Speedworld only lets us run in a "club" standing. They arbitrarily set the limit for us at 12.00 during these "club" events. This is still below the NHRA limit for convertibles without a 5-point cage. This is not the standard at Speedworld, however, it is the exception they make for "clubs". I think NHRA allows for this (and does not yank their sanctioning) as long as it is not the rule, but the exception.

Firebird has, in the past, let Cobras run under the "club" auspices. Run and Gun 95 was held at Firebird and we drag raced Cobras there. I do not think Firebird has any interest in exceptions any more.

[Bob Broberg SPF667 460BB]

Here are current NHRA requirements - although keep in mind if I missed something - I'm just an amature.

REQUIRED IF RUNNING ON THE DRAGSTRIP BY EVERYONE

Drivers license & proof of Insurance
Snell SA-90 or higher approved helmet
Long Pants
Long Sleeve Shirt
Coolant overflow tank no less than 16 ounces
5 point harness with 3 inch seat belts, 2 point shoulder harness & anti-sub belt
(SFI harness must be dated 2 years or newer if in a full caged roll bar car)
Roll Bar or hardtop
Convertibles limited to 14 sec unless roll cage
Securely mounted battery
Tail lights must be lit at the starting line and during the trip down the track.
Driveshaft loop required if running slicks.

REQUIRED IF RUNNING UNDER A 12 SECOND
¼ MILE

SFI approved bell housing, flywheel, clutch & harmonic damper.
Arm restraint straps
Protective clothing
Roll Cage
Transmission shield
External Battery shut-off


Bob

[mikiec]

Bob,

That seems correct.

Eric, Yes... I deeply thank SpeedWorld for letting us get in some track time. And even letting Karl run.

Are the rules different for 1/8 mile?

Mike

[ItBites]

Bob is mostly right on for NHRA full-on racer rules.

Run-what-ya-brung nights have the following modifications for street cars:

Harnesses are not required, at least to 13.00 (maybe 12.00).

Helmets are not required in hartop cars down to 14.00.

Other than that, in general:
I can also add that at least one forward facing light is also required, as well as "long" (they must protrude one stud diameter past the wheel nut) wheel studs if running slicks.

In a hardtop, at 12.00 and lower you only need a 4-point bar, not a full cage. at 11.00 and below, you need to step up to a cage.

Additionally, below 11.00, you need to get rid of the IRS and go to a live axle (unless you're running SS).

[Karl Bebout]

Welllll, I wasn't the only one to get booted. Seems that Jeff C. got 86'd the last time we went out. Oops, now I remember, there was some flimsy issue about car numbers getting confused. Looking forward to this fall and going out to play again. Looking for 10's without the juice and with, who knows.