Real World Street Racing - History Of

Yep, those 29.5x10.5-inch Hoosier steamrollers actually fit in the stock wheelwells of this ’91 Z28!
Yep, those 29.5x10.5-inch Hoosier steamrollers actually fit in the stock wheelwells of thi
Marc Alexander of Hobart, Indiana, told us he “only” thumps out mid-9s, but factor in the 449ci big-block on spray (otherwise known as “noss” to some movie fans) and we think he’s sandbagging big-time!
Marc Alexander of Hobart, Indiana, told us he “only” thumps out mid-9s, but fa

We first noticed Tom Luther’s sexy ’67 Camaro when the announcer kept repeating that the owner was looking for money-runs. We weren’t quite sure what the problem was...
We first noticed Tom Luther’s sexy ’67 Camaro when the announcer kept repeating
...Until we noticed the wheelie bars, Old Faithful–like nitrous geyser spouting from the cowl, and the 420ci small-block.
...Until we noticed the wheelie bars, Old Faithful–like nitrous geyser spouting fro

Big cubes seem to be the weapon of choice out in the Chicago suburbs.
Both Steve Dean with his ’81 ’Bu and Steve Johnson in his ’71 Chevelle definitely had more grunt than we’re used to seeing on the streets of Los Angeles.
Both Steve Dean with his ’81 ’Bu and Steve Johnson in his ’71 Chevelle defi

Tom Cresip wasn’t afraid of lighting up the slicks in his Plum Crazy Purple ’70 Duster in front of our lenses.
Tom Cresip wasn’t afraid of lighting up the slicks in his Plum Crazy Purple ’70
Maybe we’re biased, but how could anyone not appreciate seeing a clean ’80 ’Bu smoking the rubber out of the burnout box as demonstrated by Stevie Gilhart?
Maybe we’re biased, but how could anyone not appreciate seeing a clean ’80 ’

We didn’t get a chance to see Brian McGee make any shakedown passes in his ’80 Mailbu with the 377ci small-block. But we’ve been told that all the cars featured run well into the 10s, and after seeing the wild crowds and big wheelies for ourselves, it really isn’t all that hard to believe.
We didn’t get a chance to see Brian McGee make any shakedown passes in his ’80 M

Wanna run?

How much?

50 bucks.

Gimme two and the move.

Gimme a break. Its only a small-block.

Yeah, but youre on the bottle.

We cant let ourselves believe that street racing is politically correct (because our lawyers would have a fit), but we understand the appeal. While the media has portrayed street racing as a recent phenomena of adrenaline-crazed youth, we know better. Modern street racing isnt just about kids running around with baggy pants and a false sense of whats fast and furious. Hard-core street racing has been around since the first two cars hit the road, and the people who engage in it run the gamut from pimply faced kids to old men youd never suspect.

So what is it about street racing that gives it such a cult following? Maybe its simply a shortage of tracks for local speed junkies to race on. Or maybe its all about rebellion. Then there are the really hard-core street racers who just want to be king of the street. These are the guys who trot out the truly brutal street machines that have no business being on any road. Were talking about trailered tube-chassis Pro Mod-style cars and small-tired doorslammers running 9s with a rollbar (maybe). Mix in egos and a few Benjamins to make it interesting, and you have a recipe for late-night action under a bridge abutment in the middle of nowhere.

As exhilarating as it seems, street racers spend most nights worrying about police raids and arguing about detailswho won, who cheated, whos got the money. Its a way of life for some, and were not here to judge. But the fact remains: As alluring as street racing is, its still illegal and dangerous. Thats why were excited about a new grassroots racing venue that takes street racers off the street without compromising their outlaw spirit.

While we were checking out the U.S. Class Nationals last July, 2000 NMRA Renegade Champion Bob Kurgan gave us a personal tour of the Chicago areas Street Car Chaos. He drove us out to U.S. 41 Dragway in Peotone, Illinois, in the middle of a Saturday night. After a desolate drive from Chicago though endless miles of cornfields, we arrived to find a crowd of 2,000 spectators and close to 280 cars racing deep into the wee morning hours with the timing lights off and flashlight starts on.

If it sounds chaotic, thats because it was. Thanks to the efforts of Denny Rich and Brian Petersonwho runs a similar event called Real Street Drags (www.greatlakesdragaway.com) on Chicagos north sideStreet Car Chaos (SCC) is successfully taking street racing from the street to the dragstrip.

The rules at these events are simplethere are none. About the only procedures youll see are flashlight starts by a flagman, chalk marks thatll spot up to 25 car lengths, an unbiased finish line caller on the top end, and a whole lot of racing until four oclock in the morning. Denny was proud to say that U.S. 41 Dragway will be hosting this outlaw-type racing once a month from April through October in 2002. For more information, call U.S. 41 at 219/285-2200 or you can e-mail Denny directly at streetcarchaos@aol.com.