Drag Racers, Why do we race ?

[Steve1118]

When I was 12, I was with my cousin when he purchased a brand, spankin' new 64 Hemi Dodge A865 aluminum nosed car and was hooked immediately.

Now, here I am, 54 short years later and still racing a Hemi 65 that I bought in 1969. It's probably kept me out of jail during my wild years, met and have known hundreds of great guys and gals. It's a milder motor, not as quick and low, low maintenence, and health problems have had an impact, but, we're still here.

Now, at 65, I'm still having fun and enjoying many of the same folks I have for years and years, and am missing the ones who can no longer be with us. Pulling a trans out isn't as much fun as it was, but going to the races, hanging with the guys, and driving the car is still as much fun as it was. Maybe looking at through rose colored glasses, but I feel sorry for the youngsters who did not live and race through the golden years.

Get to race with my sons, and will canonize my great wife of 36 years for all the crap she endured. I thank God every single day for all the blessings I've been given, and wonder what I've ever done to deserve them.

This sport has given me back much more than I had ever hoped. I cannot imagine not being involved.

[tim worner]

Addiction

[CMcAllister]

Certainly wasn't born into it. Family still couldn't care less. Always liked mechanical stuff as a kid; bicycles, minibikes, lawn mowers, anything. Went to work in a gas station at 16 and got a car. All the older guys had Camaros, Chevelles, Mustangs, Super Bees, with huge cams, 4 speeds, header mufflers, big tires, went the local strip and the hook was set.

It's a lot more complex and difficult to do well than it looks to the casual observer ("what's so hard about just going straight?") and that's what has kept me hooked.

That and the noise. And the people. Anyone I consider a real friend, I met in racing.

[Mike Pearson]

I enjoy the challenge and the competition. I don't have a top of the heap qualifying car so my benchmark is my past performance and trying to improve on that with what I have to work with. I also like the challenge of racing the best of the best. I have been lucky enough to win a few races along the way against some really tough drivers. This makes a win or round win that much sweeter. I also like getting away and camping at the track during the events. Its a nice get away form the work day struggles. we have met some good people along the way.

[1matcoman]

Originally Posted by tim worner

Addiction

Yep!

Originally Posted by CMcAllister

.......
That and the noise. And the people. Anyone I consider a real friend, I met in racing.

And this, too!!!

[GTX JOHN]

All the above!

PLUS:

My Dad/Brother/Myself were always Drag Racers......
In 1970 we had three Red 70 Cudas parked in
front of house (Two 440/6 and One Hemi) AND
a 1968 Hemi Dart SS/BA parked in our little garage.

They both have been gone around 30 years.......
But I still feel them riding with me on every pass
down the track!

Hope my boys will feel that someday too about
me.

It has always been just what we do.

[goinbroke2]

Why do I drag race?
well..

I do a couple appendectomies in the garage and everybody gets bent out of shape yelling I'm not a doctor.
I get some plutonium and start building a home reactor to power my place and all of a sudden I'm on a watch list and a potential bad guy.
I use my property to make a replica of hill 262 in Viet Nam to paint ball with bunkers/punji pits/razor wire/guard towers and all of a sudden I'm a wacko that needs to be raided.
DRAG RACING??? THAT'S NOTHING THE COPS SAY!

I think they're relieved I've taken on a more mundane hobby.......

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy watching the cops trying to get into my bunker that they chased me into as I watch them from the spider hole that's behind them. Great fun...but sometimes you have to take it down a notch and do stuff a little more safer like drag racing...or knitting...or something.

[goinbroke2]

Ok...seriously?

Ran stock cars with all my cousins when I was 14-17 then after having a new car I worked on for 2 months destroyed the first night racing it was the last straw. Pulled the drivetrain and built a drag car and never looked back. Can't even stand to watch stock car racing now.
Always been a gearhead after seeing my cousin get an old car fixed after it quit while we were tearing around in a field, I was 9. Wanted to be able to do "that" and built many dune buggies and then other vehicles along the way.

Love the competition is the best reason, it's an addiction.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by goinbroke2

Why do I drag race?
well..

I do a couple appendectomies in the garage and everybody gets bent out of shape yelling I'm not a doctor.
I get some plutonium and start building a home reactor to power my place and all of a sudden I'm on a watch list and a potential bad guy.
I use my property to make a replica of hill 262 in Viet Nam to paint ball with bunkers/punji pits/razor wire/guard towers and all of a sudden I'm a wacko that needs to be raided.
DRAG RACING??? THAT'S NOTHING THE COPS SAY!

I think they're relieved I've taken on a more mundane hobby.......

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy watching the cops trying to get into my bunker that they chased me into as I watch them from the spider hole that's behind them. Great fun...but sometimes you have to take it down a notch and do stuff a little more safer like drag racing...or knitting...or something.

I think that Ron Ortiz and I should invite you to "tea".

[Larry Hill]

....'cause they don't have model airplane contests every week.

Never lost the love of being pressed against the seat by mashing on the accelerator.

To see if I'm working in the right direction to improve my car.

Race against the great drivers.

Attain personal goals.