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Re: West Virginia Airport Drags Explode in Popularity
Here in PA we had "Flashlight Drags" at local airports for a couple years - until this year. They have unfortunately all been shut down because the PA Dept of Trans buckled to the FAA who decided to enforce "no non-aviation related activities" at local airports. Though "Flashlight Drags" is still operating, it is now at a few (not so local) different racetracks. The organizing group isn't so hot at actually organization and is pretty darned bad at communication. The events used to be kind of fun, and pretty low key. Pretty big turnouts, and lots of local support.
Apparently WVA is thumbing their nose at the FAA nazis. Good for them. I wish PA had as much common sense. The local airports, btw, really wanted to continue the events but both the state and feds (mainly the darned state idiots) refused to allow them. They threatened all kinds of actions. -
Re: West Virginia Airport Drags Explode in Popularity
What a good deal. It is too bad that more communities can't do this sort of thing. Hats off to the folks in that are making it happen in West Virginia.
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Re: West Virginia Airport Drags Explode in Popularity
The real problem is that creative public officials and racers haven't developed a viable, economical, and legal alternative to street racing.
Traditional "for profit" NHRA-style strips are too expensive to build and operate. The shows they run are too slow and structured to appeal to many street racers. Their locations are too infrequent, inconvenient and distant. Their hours of operation are too limited. The tech requirements are often daunting.
The same cities that spend hundreds of thousands on skateboard parks, powerboating facilities, and golf courses offer no alternative but crackdowns on street racing.
A more sensible approach would be to designate areas where racers can "assume the risk" without endangering spectators or the general public. (Endangering one's self is generally a fundamental liberty) A wide, smooth toll road with crash barriers (perhaps even between the lanes) and designated pit and spectator areas is all that's really necessary. (Think of this as a "Quarter-mile Autobahn") Automated toll gates could control the number of cars on the "race street" or "test road" at a particular time. No timing is necessary. An ordinary stoplight and/or a protected flag stand could be used to start the cars.
Organization and scheduling could be left up to the users, just as with most other public parks.
The area could be monitored with cameras. An ordinary fire station located could be nearby to handle any emergencies. The "test road" could be located in an industrial area or near an airport to dampen noise objections.
If tech inspections were deemed necessary, using turnpike-style transponders could limit the use of the "test road" to vehicles that had been previously inspected and leased a transponder.
Such "out-of-the-lane" solutions are better than crackdowns and the current "cat and mouse" games that street racers often play.Comment
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Re: West Virginia Airport Drags Explode in Popularity
We do that in Texas but its a private race so we weed out the pukes.We also race in Elk City Ok car show.The fuyzz blocks off the streets and let us race.This year they changed the rules and abunch of us won't be going againComment
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