Heh. I finally found the late-night street racing scene here in San Diego, after driving all over trying to find it. It turns out, I was just giving up too early in the evening! Here's the story...

Last Saturday, I was driving down the freeway, getting ready to go home after another unsuccessful night of looking for playmates. Right before I take my exit, I see a done-up import go shooting by. My interest is piqued, so I get out of the exit-only lane and follow him at a distance (so I don't scare him). He takes the very next exit and drives through town a bit, with me still following at a distance. Finally, he turns left near an industrial area. I keep going so I don't freak him out too much (psycho stalker) but I notice there are about five other imports also turning left there. So I make a U-turn at the next light and turn right where they turned.

Lo and behold, I found the motherlode. Not exaggerating, there was at least 300 cars lining both sides of that street! Holy cow! It was a four lane street with most cars parked in the bike lanes on either side. The outside two lanes had cruisers going about 5-10 mph. The inside two lanes had slightly faster cruisers. It was an amazing sight, totally surreal. I felt like I'd found El Dorado.

After doing a slow drive-by, I park at the end of the row. Of course, the truck (silver '01) got TONS of positive responses. *grin* Everyone there was really cool and friendly - I was in motorhead heaven! A couple of nice guys explained to me what the gathering was and we talked about the truck (of course). They couldn't believe it was all stock - which was a theme for the night, though I didn't know it then.

Anyway, after being there for 10-15 minutes, I heard some quick honks, people yelling "Po Po!" and everyone quickly gets in their cars. I follow their lead and fire up the truck and follow them out of there. We made one HUGE parade going down the street, it was awesome.

I followed the parade onto the freeway and we shortly ended up at another spot in the middle of nowhere. Apparently everyone knows where to go when the police come - I heard there's something like four or five meeting places, though I only saw three that night. This place was more fun. Due to its remoteness, there was less cruising... and that's when the serious drag racing started.

I was just going to watch, I swear. I'd just come from a real drag strip (still had my numbers on) and had gotten my fill legally. However, the Po Po calls came again so I got on the road. But before I could leave the scene, I see people start parking again - false alarm, April Fool's! So I go to a good spot and make a U, intending to head back to my original parking place near the middle of the "drag strip".

Coincidentally, this put me on the starting line. I figured I might as well take one run, just for fun, then I'll go park. A new GTI rolled up next to me. The flagman (yes there was one!) nonverbally asked us if we were ready and we both said yes. He raised his arms then threw them down and it was ON!

I have to admit, I was impressed with the little GTI. I got a good start and an early lead, but he didn't fall back nearly as quickly as I'd expected. (This would be his best result out of five races with me, though.) Of course I still beat him, don't be silly. I complimented him on the run and his car and we drove back as friends.

Well that was fun, so I went back to go again. On the way back, I got a ton of positive responses from people, it was so cool. Pure respect, gotta love that. So I make the U again and line up. It's the silver GTI again. Apparently he likes losing. *grin* I smoked him a lot worse this time - maybe he's getting anxious and spinning? Who knows.

To make a long story slightly shorter, by the fifth race against the GTI, the flagman was starting him 20 yards ahead of me! The crowded was going nuts at this, laughing and whooping. I still beat the poor guy, and he kept his good nature the whole time. Gotta respect that.

The only other car I got to race that night was a MR2, slightly older but new body style. I don't know what mods it had, but I smoked it too. After this run, I'd had enough so I parked again. Quite a few people came up and made nice comments on the truck. Funny thing, many of them thought I was running Nitrous! They were amazed that it was bone stock. A few people knew what a Lightning is and they were fun to talk to as well.

The evening finally ended when the police came to this new site. Scared me too, because it was just after my final run and they hit their lights a few cars behind me. I thought my driving record was toast, but fortunately for me they got someone else. That was a GOOD LESSON, and one that I sorely needed right at that moment. I'm not going to do as many runs next time, the legal ramifications are just too scary. I'm not going to stop running altogether though - gotta keep earning the respect for a while, until they all know the truck. Then I can relax and just kick back.

All in all I had an incredible night. I felt like I was in a video game, and had a hard time believing it had really happened the next morning. I ended up in bed at 5:30 AM, undefeated that night. *grin*

I can't wait for next weekend!

-Ollie

 

I forgot to mention, my favorite part of the evening was the cars that DIDN'T race me. After a few runs, I would just sit in my lane at the starting place, watching them roll up and just keep going, waiting for easier prey.

*grin*

-Ollie

 

I'll say congrats and ^5 now. I have had a few nights like this as well,and sadly enough a few where I just couldn't hook against Pacecar18's Syc and got smoked. If your response is anything like mine 80% of the board will ^5 but you will get a few who will say street racing is stupid. I say, if the 2 parties involved are in a remote area and understand the possible results of their own actions and can avoid injuring others run what ya brung. Just be careful. I was faced with a 12 point aiding and abetting ticket about a year ago. Geez, was it that long ago already. Between puppy eyes and luck I got out of it without a scratch, but I think the Weld County Police are gunning for me now.
CA

 

DEFINETLY some ^5s for felonious. But I'm singing backup to CA on this one. Take some SERIOUS precautions when you street race. Not only for other drivers but for your own license.

I got NAILED in Austin on 360 one night. Cop nailed me at 160 in a 70. The ONLY way I got out of it was by outrunning him. Not the wisest move but I didn't feel like going to jail that night. Didn't have front or back plates as they were stuck in the windows (learned that trick from old school street racers).

Keep it up.....nothing cooler than a Ford truck smoking rice boys.

 

Thanks for the nice replies and good tips! Yes, I am fully expecting some flames and general disagreement with what I'm doing, but I didn't want to say anything in my original post because I felt it would just remind people to flame away. Of course, now that you said it, I can say it too.

I am fully aware of the dangers to both body (mine & the truck's) and license. I hear most accidents occur when the guy in the other lane makes a U at the end before the inside guy's decided to stop racing. I won't make that mistake. (Of course, if I keep winning, it's a non-issue, isn't it? I know better than to turn in front of the inside car.)

I only plan on doing enough races to solidify my position in the heirarchy and make sure everyone knows who I am. Then, I'm going to stop - well, cut down 98% at least. I don't have a big ego - I'm a gracious loser - but I do want to prove myself and get respect for Lightnings everywhere.

Striking the fear...

-Ollie

 

I have never seen a wreck from that Fel but I have seen the kamikaze boys I run with in the summer put 'emin ditches, have flashovers with their NOS systems, blow tires, run on roads that were NOT meant for the 9 and 10 second (yes, 9 and 10 second cars at my alitutde) cars to run on. I am also aware of bystanders, who need to understand they are in danger as well who have been hit and killed by racers. Just be careful. Racing is an incredible rush for a reason. If it was easy everyone would do it. If is was safe nobody would do it. Just have to know yours and your trucks limits. If my dad thought he could get away with it he would sell my Lightning and my ponys in the middle of the night and I would wake up to a Scirocco.
CA

[This message has been edited by WhiteLightninSVTGirl (edited 04-02-2001).]

 

Your dad?!? I thought you were older than that. Huh, go figure.

Regarding safety, yes that is always foremost on my mind. I exclusively ran the inside track because it was furthest from the parked cars and spectators. I also didn't park on the drag side so I wouldn't have to worry as much about out of control cars. In all honesty, I'm probably one of the more cautious people you'll ever meet. That doesn't mean I don't take risks, I just take *calculated* risks and push my limits in small amounts.

-Ollie

 

I'm 23, but when you are a Daddy's Girl you are a Daddy's Girl for life.
CA

 

23 isn't that old, ya know. And yes, I know about the Daddy's Girl thing - though I'm not a girl, I do feel better if I get my parents' approval for certain things. My Dad's one tough nut, so if I can convince him that I REALLY NEED a Lightning, then it must be true! We both know I'm going to do whatever I want, but like I said, I feel better if he's on my side.

-Ollie
(btw I'm 29)

 

Hey Fel,
Going to be in your town for a few weeks starting this Thursday. Flying down so no L. Have to slug around in a Rousch truck. Shoot me an e-mail with so good cruise spots. Never hurts to watch. Keep an eye out for an all white super cab Rousch truck. Staying over in Coronado but plan to play downtown.

------------------
2000 Silver Lightning 13.82 (stock)
PSP 4-way
PSP Filter Kit
PSP Lower Pulley
Level 10 Shift kit
Snug-Lid
In the works:
Level 10 converter
4-Link

 

Sure thing, but I need your email address...

Mine's svt@kwaping.com if you want to email me first.

-Ollie
(you ladies can use it too, hint hint)

[This message has been edited by felonious (edited 04-02-2001).]

 

screwnuts@aol.com

------------------
2000 Silver Lightning 13.82 (stock)
PSP 4-way
PSP Filter Kit
PSP Lower Pulley
Level 10 Shift kit
Snug-Lid
In the works:
Level 10 converter
4-Link

 

Hey 01Bolt,

Was that residence in the North Park area? I drive by a white L (99/00) on my way to a friend's house out there. I always hope that the owner will see me and come out to chat.

-Ollie

 

Hey CA- Weld County??? you street race up in Greeley? If so I wonder over there every so often, usually in my 5.0 but I've been over there in my L too. If you ever want to team up on em' let me know

 

NIX
EVIL Weld County. We run em at Old Dog Pound. Old 47. Nunn. Couple of other places but it was Dog Pound where we got caught. I stood there with Jared as we watched the head lights approach from about 1/2 a mile back and told him "I don't have a good feeling about those headlights Jared. I think thats a cop" Sure enough. In a WAGON. We stood there for 3 hours while he threatened to take our cars, put us in jail, and then ultimately decide that even though he didn't SEE anyone racing we were pretty much done by then, that he was writing everyone with a vehicle there a 12 point aiding and abetting a speed contest. He couldn't write 35 tickets alone, so he called in the (not at all happy to be there) state patrol. I sat in the stateys car while he wrote my ticket, my truck parked on a private access road and blocked in and hidden by a Camaro and a Mustang. I told him, "I drive the big white truck over there, I know one guy here, does it LOOK like I was racing?" Note, I never once lied. All of the above was true, I let him draw his own conclusion, when he wrote my ticket for the wrong date. We all got back to town, we're sitting up at the gas station and Jared says "WTF! Why is your date different" We went to court, she stuck everyone else with a fine, defensive driving courses, and closed the book on mine. I got hella lucky. And the cop was a sweetheart. I respect police because I was raised around them. But I have a soft spot for the CO state patrol.
CA