NHRA regulates off track behavior.........

[The Hawk]

Originally Posted by Chris Barnes

You have to have a valid driver's license to race so anything you do to lose that will keep you from racing.

I`ve known people that were able to race without a state driver`s license but were able to compete due to a current NHRA Competition license. Not making that up.

[Pvt Parts]

I've read this thread and most of you guys are totally off base. These actions and letters are not about you or controlling you. They are a statement of NHRA's position in this matter. First read Dwights posts. They are correct. Here's why. The most valuable asset NHRA has is their non profit designation. That was issued by the IRS because of their declaration of purpose... To educate people about automotive/vehicle safety. Any threat to that standing is a threat to NHRA's existence, at least as we know it. As a result they cannot and will not be associated (in any way shape or form) with high risk, illegal street racing. They can, must and will distant themselves from any illegal activity (especially street racing) and anyone associated with it. Someday something very unpleasant will come out of SO. When it does the attorneys will go after everyone, especially those with deep pockets. (NHRA) Their current actions are a legal issue and not directed at you as a racer. They can't afford to be remotely associated with street racing or anyone who participates.

[Dwight Southerland]

Originally Posted by j gardiner

The rights vs. privilege debate is all semantics. I have the right to own a gun but if I break the law I can lose it, so is it a right or a privilege.

Not just semantics. The "right" means you are allowed to own the gun, which is not true in many countries. The privilege is the regulation of your behavior as a gun owner. Behavior is rarely a right.

[Brett C]

Everyone will have their opinion on this, but let us not forget that NHRA was founded by Wally Parks in an effort to get people to stop racing on the streets and in a safe and organized way.

[SS Engine Guy]

California Supreme Court? Real world....keep repeating that.....Real w o r l d.....

[cal]

You know I have always had a problem with that wordage.

Driving is not a privilege, it is my right as a citizen of the USA to obtain a driver license.
Now if I miss use that right it can be taken away.

Just like walking down the street or going from state to state is not a privilege, It is my Right as a citizen of the USA.

Yes there are rules and laws to follow, and if I break them you can have these right also taken away. Put in jail, pay big fines ECT ECT ...

But these are our rights as citizen of this GREAT country.

OK I'm done running my mouth now, just had to get that off my chest

Cal
S/ST HR 1177

Originally Posted by Dwight Southerland

But driving is not a right; it's a privilege. As a citizen, you have the right to apply for a driver's license under equal protection of the law, but is is not a right that you can get in your car and operate it on public roads. It is a privilege you earn once you have shown that you know the laws, you agree to abide by the laws and you prove that you can operate a vehicle in a manner that does not endanger others or compromise the rights of others. Then you are given the privelege to operate a vehicle on public highways where the safety and rights of others will be observed. If you do not continue to operate your vehicle within the laws and guidelines that govern it, then the public authority (the government) will revoke your privileges. They do not take away your right to drive. You would still have the right to drive your vehicle somewhere beside publicly governed property, but you do not have the privilege to drive on public roads. In that manner, it is not a right. It is not even a right to walk down the street if you are going to do so in a manner that infringes on the rights or safety of others.


In like manner, NHRA is not "taking away rights" from these people. They are exercising their right to protect their image, reputation and standards that are explicitly stated in their membership material. Those standards are what you agree with to become a member. It's like unions restricting members from working on jobs or for others who do not observe union standards; you can go do the work if you want, but you won't be a union member if you do. An NHRA membership is not a "right" to race at NHRA's events. It is an extension to you of a privilege to participate. If you choose to not adhere to their membership standards, then they have the right to revoke that privilege.

Dwight while I agree to disagree on our rights as citizens of the USA.
What we both have said is simular, just written differently.
I doubt I would ever have the money or disire to dispute this in a court of law.
But maybe someone should, before we lose any rights we may have left.

I am not say in my statement anywhere that I agree with or dis agree with the Street Outlaws. In the late 70 early 80s I attened my share of street races, it is what we did back then.

But I mostly bracket raced back then. My License was to important to me, I needed to make a living and driving was important.

I only stated my opinion on privledge vs Rights of citizen of this USA.
Do we have any left, or are they all gone?

I still beleive Driving is a Right, if you read my post I did state that if you miss used that right it could be taken away. Guess I left out the part about you need to pass a test to get your license, which I agre with.

It is only my opinion, and i am intitled to my opinion.
I think.

Just like it is the right of a illegile imagrint to get a license.

It is my privledge to get one, What has America come to?

O yea I do watch Street Outlaws, I find it entertaining but know it is all staged.
That particular type of racing never was my cup of tea.

I do watch the outlaw grudge racing at the track but have no interest in that type of racing. Just like I watch TF, FC & Pro Stock but would never want to run any of them classes.

Thanks again
Cal
S/ST HR 1177

[j gardiner]

If street outlaws doesn't represent what NHRA believes in then they should by all means ask that they remove all signage or any reference to NHRA from the show but that is not what they did. They are threatening if they are associated with the show their membership could or would be suspended.

[Pvt Parts]

Originally Posted by j gardiner

If street outlaws doesn't represent what NHRA believes in then they should by all means ask that they remove all signage or any reference to NHRA from the show but that is not what they did. They are threatening if they are associated with the show their membership could or would be suspended.

You don't know that they didn't. We would not be privy to that communication.

[j gardiner]

The letters are posted all over the Internet.

[RJ Sledge]

Does anybody believe they actually "race" on a regular street??

Do you not notice all the lights and lack of street traffic?

The Police actually shut down the streets and bring in EMT/Fire personal, don't allow any outsiders to watch the proceedings (unless from a distance). Discovery Channel pays big bucks to the Cities to close some out of the way street in a business park so they can film this deal.

Did I not mention the $$$$$$ deal.

Hey people, wake up, this is a "Reality Show? You know, "entertainment"!!

What NHRA did was not based on a threat to cancel somebodies membership number, it has to do with getting a piece of the pie.....

Would not surprise me if in the next few weeks you see NHRA advertising the SO Gang being at some NHRA Event.

Follow the money.

NHRA needs a ton of money to keep the doors open. SO's is making a killing and NHRA is trying to cash in. You really can't blame them for it.

Ought to be some interesting reading in the next few weeks.

RJ