Street racing is one of the big hot-button issues of the year, with the Chatsworth, California crash bringing the dangers back into the public eye. But in Houston, Texas, an event called “Dig Night” was recently held on public streets, with fifty or so cars, a $200 buy-in, and a $10,000 purse…and was completely legal, with assistance from the police to ensure that the races were held in as safe a manner as possible and to keep things under control. Coordinated by organizer Faisal Rahman, the event went off without incident. Street Outlaw “Doc” and his Monte Carlo even appeared to make some runs.
With NHRA maintaining their stance against any form of street racing and street racers balking at the NHRA’s threat of revoking licenses, is this the way to start bringing things under control? Building a fully-functional drag strip takes serious cash, but there’s plenty of asphalt in America that can be utilized in a safe manner. It’s a positive sign that the police were willing to monitor and patrol the event, as that could lead to a better community presence and better relationships in the community. And you know that racers will flock to the event, since it does have that outlaw aura. What do you think, is this the way to go?
Source story: Organizer Hopes Legal Street Racing Catches On – KTRK ABC 13
(Thanks to Charles Wickam for the tip!)
Yes,this is the right way, if its that big of a problem in a town with no track nearby. This could set an example to other town/city councils who might be willing to do it.
Sounds like a good idea as long as they don’t start getting a lot of silly rules. Require a seatbelt and maybe brain bucket. Other than that run what you brung and have fun.
When I was a kid we went down to old Highway 1 and raced. there wasn’t anything out there and the cops would come down and watch us.
ugh i wish i had your childhood hot rod. even though i live in the country only a few select spots. my buddy left a race because the guy whose house we were racing too came out. my buddy thought he was coming towards us. i flagged him down and we went back. the dude who lived in the house was super cool and watched us for a little while haha
Silly rules? im sorry but if dudes got a 9 second street car with no bars, no harness or anything i sure as hell would not let him race for his own safety.
Cool idea, but I wonder about the logistics required for event insurance etc? I wonder how these guys dealt with that issue?
great idea
Sounds great, but at $200 to race, its still out of the budget for many kids who will end up racing outside of events like this where it costs nothing.
But then again, with a $10,000 dollar purse I guess this was never aimed at the high school student with the 5.0 mustang with a cam and headers who is likely to be out horsing around on public roads…
me being 17 years old you spoke my mind. thats a good chunk of a summer paycheck. if i really have a grudge with someone we will both go to a spot make a pass and thats that
ABSOF***KINGLUTELY!!!!!
Cool. It looks like folks there are trying to find a solution and had a successful event. Much better than here in so cal- they close down one of the last tracks left and are planning to make another mall.
Depends on what cars are allowed to run, speed can be a factor and if they do not have the required safety equipment (i.e roll cage, helmet etc) someone can be killed even if it is kept to 1/8th mile.
NHRA like every other drag racing body around the world was brought into existence to make a growing support a lot safer than it was, due to all these people in the background sometimes not even paid but do it for the love of the sport it is a lot safer than it has been, the people that complain just do not care about their own safety or others.
I was luck enough to be a part of the Kingman Street Drags a few years back, it was LOADS of fun, brought lots of dollars in to the local community, and was a way to bring the community and racers together. If done right this type,of event is a reall win win for everyone!