My response to the street racing bust:

[sung]

I know it's a little late but I was busy all weekend. I took the time to write to the Virginian Pilot a letter of response to the incidents of this weekend and will post it here for everybody to read. Here is the link to the original Pilot article (http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=100612&ran=158194) I encourage you to contact the various news media organizations if you were not happy with their coverage of events. Remember to come across as civil and professional. Warning: long read.



In the March 5th article, “State Police put Brakes on Street Racing,” I offered that a place for auto enthusiasts to meet would reduce drug use and drinking and driving among our young people. Many people may have laughed my statement off and viewed it as a choice of the lesser of two evils. I’m here to tell you that it’s not. Here is my message to parents: Contrary to what the local media wants you to believe, your child’s interest in working on cars is by no means evil.

In addition to running DragVA.com, a popular online community of auto enthusiasts in Virginia, I served as Chairman of the Newport News Mayor’s Youth Commission and was a member of the National League of Cities Council on Youth, Education, and Families. The latter is a group of mayors, councilmembers, and executives of youth serving organizations from around the nation who have an expressed interest in issues related to young people in this country. The one constant question I would be asked by local elected officials was in some form: Why are so many young people involving themselves in underage drinking and doing drugs?

The (short and simple) answer is this. There just are not enough things for our youth to do in our communities.

Yet, here in Hampton Roads we have an immense number of people who are auto enthusiasts who would want nothing more than a place to congregate with other locals who share the same interests. Meeting together in empty parking lots to admire each other’s hard work, participate in good fellowship, and create new friendships is a harmless combatant against underage partying.

With all due respect to the concept of “teen centers,” no teen center in Hampton Roads would come close to drawing the numbers that the “car crowd” could bring in week in and week out. With support from local law enforcement in the form of moderate supervision; designating a VDOT lot as a hangout spot would be the golden ticket to answering the age old problem of providing young people something to do.

A seemingly simple, effective, and cheap solution. So why would anybody be against it? The fact of the matter is that by choosing to only cover the bad apples of auto enthusiasts, it creates a negative view on the community as a whole. The local media was all over the street racing bust on March 4th, and rightfully so. We are unapologetic of those who participate in illegal activities and they should face the consequences. But where is the coverage of all the positive stories of the local auto enthusiasts?

Stories like that of the hundreds of people who join Team Top End, a local car club, in donating to charities such as the Food Bank of the Peninsula multiple times a year. Or the story of the high school senior working an after-school job just so he can modify his car to shave a second off his quarter mile time at the track each summer. Or the story of the regular joe who translated his devotion to cars into a successful business venture.

Stories of charity, hard work, goal-setting, and entrepreneurship don’t make auto enthusiasts seem so evil now do they?

Chasing people out of parking lots like they are some sort of parasites is not part of the solution. It’s part of the problem. Encouraging people to drive around looking for the next hang out spot will only encourage more illegal street racing. The answer is for local officials and authorities to work together with the local auto enthusiast community to control where to go. A partnership and some communication would go a long way in solving a lot of the problems regarding street racing, promoting positive values, and underage partying.

Sung Kim is a third year political science major at Old Dominion University and owner of DRAGVA.COM. He may be reached by e-mail at: sungek@gmail.com

I don't expect it to get published because it's so long but I want the editors of the Pilot to hear my views. I enourage you all to:

write to the Pilot yourselves (http://home.hamptonroads.com/feedback/submit.cfm?id=1)

Contact WAVY TV 10 (http://www.wavy.com/Global/category.asp?C=3240&nav=menu45_15)

E-mail WTKR: desk@wtkr.com

Contact WVEC (http://www.wvec.com/customerservice/HelpCenter.do)

If you think they did a good job of coverage tell them so. If you think they did a poor job and inaccurately depicted situations tell them so. If you feel police somehow mishandled the events of this weekend tell them all so. Get involved. Don't just sit back and complain about it on here. Take the message out.

[92_SR20]

I know it's a little late but I was busy all weekend. I took the time to write to the Virginian Pilot a letter of response to the incidents of this weekend and will post it here for everybody to read. Here is the link to the original Pilot article (http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=100612&ran=158194) I encourage you to contact the various news media organizations if you were not happy with their coverage of events. Remember to come across as civil and professional. Warning: long read.



I don't expect it to get published because it's so long but I want the editors of the Pilot to hear my views. I enourage you all to:

write to the Pilot yourselves (http://home.hamptonroads.com/feedback/submit.cfm?id=1)

Contact WAVY TV 10 (http://www.wavy.com/Global/category.asp?C=3240&nav=menu45_15)

E-mail WTKR: desk@wtkr.com

Contact WVEC (http://www.wvec.com/customerservice/HelpCenter.do)

If you think they did a good job of coverage tell them so. If you think they did a poor job and inaccurately depicted situations tell them so. If you feel police somehow mishandled the events of this weekend tell them all so. Get involved. Don't just sit back and complain about it on here. Take the message out.


I actually saw that the paper had mentioned your name. I plan on writing them sometime within the next few days.

[urvtecs2slo]

nice write-up sung.

[turbo9mm]

very well put sung. I hope they look it over and can come within reason and post it out, It should only be fair they here all sides of the matter and not just the bad stuff that has happened.

[DORKO]

dope as shit...we need 4000 more people like sung!

[doughboy415]

Nicely done, you should contact Dee of the CAR CLUB COUNCIL OF HAMPTON ROADS, she and I are working on something right now, but there is a spot where everyone can go, I've mentioned it here before, its JENROS CLASSIC PUB, in the haygood shopping center, all the car clubs and enthusiast have been going to that parking lot for the past 30+ years, jenros sponsors it, and the police dont even come in there. Checkout fridays Va pilot auto weekly section for info, or call Dee at 456-2211, tell her Anthony referred you.She is the PRESIDENT of the council. you can contact me at doughboy418@hotmail.com.

[DORKO]

but cant you only go there during the DAYTIME?


i think sung is looking more for a spot to chill at on the weekend nights...etc

[doughboy415]

Its every saturday night and sunday afternoon, I've been going there for the past 14yrs myself.

[Victum]

nice letter Sung.

[doughboy415]

Also the car club council is in our corner, the council is made up of the vette, camaro, mustang, streetrods, classics and antiques, mopar and my club Neighborhood dreamz, these clubs dont look down on our style of cars as most of you think, they look at us as being just like them, car enthusiast, If any of you are actually in clubs you should join the council, we are actually in contact with rasr(racers against street racing) about coming or sending literature for us to pass out and to sign up people.

[MORE IMPATIENT]

nice writing sungy.

[KyleVA]

Yeah, that was a very good write up.

:thup::thup:

[jstabb1]

Good letter.

[HORNY4ZORNY]

theres a piece of great woodside product in action right there....nice write up sung

[DOHC crx VTEC]

I will be writing one soon.:D

[soulDistortion]

Also the car club council is in our corner, the council is made up of the vette, camaro, mustang, streetrods, classics and antiques, mopar and my club Neighborhood dreamz, these clubs dont look down on our style of cars as most of you think, they look at us as being just like them, car enthusiast, If any of you are actually in clubs you should join the council, we are actually in contact with rasr(racers against street racing) about coming or sending literature for us to pass out and to sign up people.

The main problem that stems from our "style of cars", as it were, is the age demographics.

Many places are gunshy about letting the younger people meet, because there's a marked lack of maturity based on age. Whether or not they'll say it, there's going to be some hesitation and extra scrutiny on the "sport compact" crowd. The age thing is a liability, honestly. I personally don't want what you guys have worked so hard to establish, being ruined by a bunch of immature kids trying to show off. You've been going to your spot almost as long as some people on the board have been alive :)

By all means, keep us up to date with whatever you guys are working on. It's definitely something we want to be a part of to help change the image.

[Vanilla Face]

NICE

[J-DIRTY30]

you know there might be some good that turns out of this. One can only hope.

[catfSSh]

very good writeup sung, maybe if we stress the issue, something will get done, or atleast publication of how people feel




heres what i wrote to the pilot as well

Hi, my name is Adam Vaughan, I am a junior at Hickory High School in Chesapeake, VA.

I would like to take some time to write a response to the recent events that unfolded in our community concerning Street Racing and other illegal activities.

Myself, along with my dad, have been working on and spectating cars for several years now and thouroughly enjoyed what the hobby has to offer, however, I am aware of the street racing that is present in hampton roads.
I myself have never condoned this, but I feel that if somehow, wheather it be a privately owned business or an act of the local government, there should be some sort of place where people like myself can meet up and enjoy this hobby.

In my opinion, it would greatly reduce drug use, violence, and most importantly, street racing.

If at all it is possible for a major news publishing company to stress the idea of a funded "car enthusiest" place, I'm sure it would be greatly appreciated, and greatly benifit everyone associated with this hoby.

thank you for your time

[doughboy415]

I'm 37 will be 38 next month, I dont and the council doesnt look at age, we are looking at the future, whos going to be doing this when we are gone, you guys are. So come out and give us a try. But remember this TO GET RESPECT YOU HAVE TO EARN RESPECT. By the way J-dirty 30, this is doughboy from car domain.

[yllalnad]

thumbs up... i hope something good comes of this

[Corey]

I've always been disappointed with the local media's coverage of the good that members of the community (auto enthusiasts) have done.

I have been involved with many of TTE's events and while full filling, I've always been left wanting more. We get just as much money/donations from Kroger's customers as we do from dragva members or other people. I would love to see more participation from members here. It's an excellent way to give back to the community and to hang out with people who have similar interests.

[dru]

dragva bake sale yay

but seriously, nice letter tho

[sung]

Thanks guys for your support. I've already had the Vice Mayor of Norfolk(friend of mine) e-mail me and agree that we need to figure out a way to find a positive outcome out of this whole ordeal. Hopefully this will be the start of something that we can build upon.

Oh and I don't get the Pilot so if anybody sees any opinion letters published this week make sure to post about it!

Get involved. Write the paper. Write the news networks. Write local elected officials. It makes a difference!

[spidsta]

Thanks, Sung, for providing us with a spear of positive influence into the local media. So I'm guessing NOW that the media has finally put an eye onto our world, that there are going to be some dramatic changes from now on.

I will exercise my right to get involved and I hope everyone will too. They need to know that we DO exist, and Sung isn't alone on this. He is right, it will make a difference.

dude youre a born leader.
sung for prez.


edit: I suggest to sticky this.

[Hatch Man(GsR)]

haha

I have been in contact with WAVY 10 and they are trying to get us a place to meet legally after dark. They are also looking for a suitable area for a small scale sort of track just to keep the racing off the public streets.

[notsogoodfeline]

The main problem that stems from our "style of cars", as it were, is the age demographics.

Many places are gunshy about letting the younger people meet, because there's a marked lack of maturity based on age. Whether or not they'll say it, there's going to be some hesitation and extra scrutiny on the "sport compact" crowd. The age thing is a liability, honestly. I personally don't want what you guys have worked so hard to establish, being ruined by a bunch of immature kids trying to show off. You've been going to your spot almost as long as some people on the board have been alive :)

By all means, keep us up to date with whatever you guys are working on. It's definitely something we want to be a part of to help change the image.

That's what I was thinking and shaking my head about. I would hate to see jenros get put out due to the morons that we seem to house in the sport compact world.


Good letter Sung.

[SteveOlicious]

That's what I was thinking and shaking my head about. I would hate to see jenros get put out due to the morons that we seem to house in the sport compact world.


Good letter Sung.
I agree with this wonderful young lady and SoulD. We don't need idiots ruining a good thing, again. Come up with something else so that no one else loses something already established.

[sucio7]

you are very right.it will be sad if it happens
sometimes age is not the facto

by the way very nice sung

[Johnny Bravo]

nice letter.. good read.

[AWDAerioSx]

haha

I have been in contact with WAVY 10 and they are trying to get us a place to meet legally after dark. They are also looking for a suitable area for a small scale sort of track just to keep the racing off the public streets.

This is what I think needs to be done,Go HatchMan go!!

[Cobra4B]

Well done Sung.

[MAD_DOHC]

I just read the editorial section of today's Virginia Pilot. In it, some lady is suggesting that since the "illegal street racing" bust happened to coincide with the windows getting shot out, that it was some sort of retribution. I have to admit is was bad timing on whatever little pricks decided to shoot windows out.

I for one, do believe that through friends to conversations, some one on here more than likely knows who did this. Kids have big mouths and talk. I would put it on you that if you know anything about the people that shot windows out, to contact the authorities as this could just be another black eye to the car community.

[bighunt]

nice letter Sung. it's was good to offer solutions as well, not to just bitch at the authorities.

[Rosco The Iroc]

I read that BS also about the windows being due to the bust. But would it stand to reason if that was true, they would of hit Norfolk not southern VAB?
anyway-
For some reason I was looking/hopeing for a responce in the media from Sung.
(I'm not kissing ass here)
Cause if anyone could speak intellgently about this it would be you Sung.

I thank you for taking the time to do more and help us get some good from a bad event we all knew was going to happen sooner or later.
-Bob

[doughboy415]

Okay,you all obvisously dont know the pull and power the car club council and those people at jenros have, they can help in this matter more than you think. But if you dont want our help, then why cant one of you approach AMERICAN INDOOR KARTING, apparently most you go there anyway, he stays open late on sat night doesnt he?, why not ask if you can use his lot , dont they have car shows there once a month anyway.well I just found out that langley speedway in hampton has race nights every wed, they turn the straight aways into a dragstrip, and for twenty dollars you can race to your hearts content, see what we (CAR CLUB COUNCIL)can do for you.

[sung]

I just read the editorial section of today's Virginia Pilot. In it, some lady is suggesting that since the "illegal street racing" bust happened to coincide with the windows getting shot out, that it was some sort of retribution. I have to admit is was bad timing on whatever little pricks decided to shoot windows out.

Such a suggestion is absurd. For the Pilot to now not print my response would be irresponsible. I've upped the rhetoric and e-mailed the Editorial Editor @ the Pilot directly. I'll keep you all posted.

[vdubya63]

I think doughboy415 has a great idea in talking to the car club council. They are very reconized in the community and could be a great help. I peosonally have seen great things happen through the ccc, while with Volkswagen Club of Tidewater. I dont think the meeting at Jenros would be a good idea because of all the none problems within the imort crowd.

[blah]

I actually wrote a 7 page paper in English 101 about street racing. :) I'll e-mail them tomorrow with my thoughts.

[Jay]

Well written.

[michelle1320]

Sung,

First, your letter to the Pilot was dead on. Thank you for writing it. It should've been written many years ago, as it demonstrates the plight the entire automotive enthusiast scene has faced in this area for as long as I can remember. You have two problems that are actually the root of what transpired last weekend. You have not only national negativity, but you also have to work with what the Commonwealth deems as suitable.

This is not just a local problem, contrary to popular opinion. Have none of you noticed that NOPI, Battle of the Imports, and the shows marketed by Drop Jaw Magazine no longer have a home in ANY Virginia facility? No one bothered to ask why, when VMP hosted the largest NOPI show in the 2005 schedule. It is also not just an auto scene problem either. You will recall the major headlines surrounding the Motley Crue concert at the amphitheater last fall. The problem is that public facilities on private owned property are subject to local and state laws, including the ones set by the ABC if they sell beer, wine or liquor. All it takes is a couple of complaints about any kind of "lewd" behavior, and the next thing you know, your favorite events are no longer welcome in Virginia. Now, we have to trek all the way to Rockingham, ATCO, or MIR to partake in the bigger shows. I don't know about you, but I really didn't mind the 90 minute drive compared to several hours on my tranny. The idea being that Virginia wants anyone to be able to go to any public facility for any event and take their child, so I can bet you that if you do something even a little out of place, you will get yourself a ticket of some sort, just to remind us all that we are not in charge.

Gatherings by any group of individuals that does not make the City any money are quickly frowned upon. First, we got that retarded no cruising law slamme don us. Then, you will remember just a few years ago there used to be bunch of charity fundraising car shows by a lot of different car clubs. Virginia Beach decided that would be no more, since they don't get a piece of the pie. Now, to get city approval, you have to do your car club show with "The Boardwalk" show, so the city can charge you a fee to show your car or your club's cars.

I encourage anyone who reads this to get involved with the Car Club Council in whatever fashion you can, get your clubs listed there so you will always be in the know of important legislature that affects you. I understand there may be a Council created shortly in Northern VA also, so there is more good news in that. Support the events in strong numbers at the facilities that are already in place. Someone has already gone through the trouble of cutting through the red tape for you, those event organizers are those people.

S-You are welcome to whatever assistance I may lend and contacts I have in my rolodex. Outside of that, I hope to see you around at VMP, STS, and maybe I will trek up to MIR myself.

[doughboy415]

She is right about the council, we can help.ifyou didnt read my last post, Langley speedwayin hampton has street nights every wed,you can go there and race (legal drags) on the track for twenty dollars, Hal Hartel of the peninsula car club council told me about this.For those of you coming to the navy car show on june 3, we (car club council) are in charge of it, my self being the judge for all imports, i would love to meet andtalk with those of you who come.:cool:

[vasponger]

a lot of us are not apart of any "car club"

[Cobra4B]

^ Where is this Navy car show? I'd like to go to more shows in the area.

[travisnd]

^ Where is this Navy car show? I'd like to go to more shows in the area.


possibly here..

http://www.dragva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130701

[SignfcntOthr]

I'm not sure how many of you are familiar with the Jenro's setting. Irresponsible behavior is not permitted at all. The two or three times I've seen someone acting innappropriately they were approached by a couple people and told that what they are doing is not allowed, or they would be asked to leave. After that, every thing was kosher. I've been going to Jenro's close to 10 years now, and it is a nice way to spend some time.

Also, if the fear of others acting childish while leaving is what you have, Jenro's is within walking distance of a Virginia Beach Police Station, which apparently serves as a great deterrent as I cannot recall seeing anyone leave the lot inappropriately. While your fears may come true, I highly doubt it.

[michelle1320]

You can still be involved individually. One way is through SEMA. If you are not on SEMA's mailing list, you should be. I think I'm on at least four or five different mailing lists so I can stay on top of things around here.

The question I am getting asked a lot about is the "hangout spot". The answer is simple. If you do not have permission from a property owner and/or management company, you are trespassing. If the cops show up, you will be at least charged with that. Every other ticket is a freebie. Jenro's, those of you who have been around awhile, will recall, was done originally at Jenro's, with Mike Jenro's permission. When he sold that and it was turned into a nightclub (the name of it I can't remember), there was concern that Jenro's would be no more. A couple members of the Car Club Council were the ones that got permission from Giant Square. It has since moved back to the area of Jenro's cafe. But the problems there have always been the scrutiny of law enforcement. You have to keep the hang out quiet (no loud music, peeling tires, etc.) and be there with permission. As soon as one person breaks the rules, the hang out gets shut down. So, yes, you have to be careful about who you let in. It's pretty much guaranteed if you act like an idiot when you leave there, you will not be allowed back and you will have some kind of ticket to fight in court.

[BigBake]

In the March 5th article, “State Police put Brakes on Street Racing,” I offered that a place for auto enthusiasts to meet would reduce drug use and drinking and driving among our young people. Many people may have laughed my statement off and viewed it as a choice of the lesser of two evils. I’m here to tell you that it’s not. Here is my message to parents: Contrary to what the local media wants you to believe, your child’s interest in working on cars is by no means evil.

In addition to running DragVA.com, a popular online community of auto enthusiasts in Virginia, I served as Chairman of the Newport News Mayor’s Youth Commission and was a member of the National League of Cities Council on Youth, Education, and Families. The latter is a group of mayors, councilmembers, and executives of youth serving organizations from around the nation who have an expressed interest in issues related to young people in this country. The one constant question I would be asked by local elected officials was in some form: Why are so many young people involving themselves in underage drinking and doing drugs?

The (short and simple) answer is this. There just are not enough things for our youth to do in our communities.

Yet, here in Hampton Roads we have an immense number of people who are auto enthusiasts who would want nothing more than a place to congregate with other locals who share the same interests. Meeting together in empty parking lots to admire each other’s hard work, participate in good fellowship, and create new friendships is a harmless combatant against underage partying.

With all due respect to the concept of “teen centers,” no teen center in Hampton Roads would come close to drawing the numbers that the “car crowd” could bring in week in and week out. With support from local law enforcement in the form of moderate supervision; designating a VDOT lot as a hangout spot would be the golden ticket to answering the age old problem of providing young people something to do.

A seemingly simple, effective, and cheap solution. So why would anybody be against it? The fact of the matter is that by choosing to only cover the bad apples of auto enthusiasts, it creates a negative view on the community as a whole. The local media was all over the street racing bust on March 4th, and rightfully so. We are unapologetic of those who participate in illegal activities and they should face the consequences. But where is the coverage of all the positive stories of the local auto enthusiasts?

Stories like that of the hundreds of people who join Team Top End, a local car club, in donating to charities such as the Food Bank of the Peninsula multiple times a year. Or the story of the high school senior working an after-school job just so he can modify his car to shave a second off his quarter mile time at the track each summer. Or the story of the regular joe who translated his devotion to cars into a successful business venture.

Stories of charity, hard work, goal-setting, and entrepreneurship don’t make auto enthusiasts seem so evil now do they?

Chasing people out of parking lots like they are some sort of parasites is not part of the solution. It’s part of the problem. Encouraging people to drive around looking for the next hang out spot will only encourage more illegal street racing. The answer is for local officials and authorities to work together with the local auto enthusiast community to control where to go. A partnership and some communication would go a long way in solving a lot of the problems regarding street racing, promoting positive values, and underage partying.

Sung Kim is a third year political science major at Old Dominion University and owner of DRAGVA.COM. He may be reached by e-mail at: sungek@gmail.com

Rebuttal: Although I applaud your effort, there are some inconstancies to your story. We have had permission in the past to “hangout” in three different businesses parking lots. Back in the day Sports Authority was a regular spot, this was until reckless driving incidents and the paint gun shoot out of several windows occurred. Next we got permission to hangout at Krogers on the Blvd, lasted a month until the owner got tired of the constant garbage, fights, reckless driving, and of course drug use on their premises. Next we had permission at the now infamous Ames in Portsmouth, a race in the parking lot forever changing people’s lives.
Hell, I can tell you too many stories about the hangouts, the point is you cannot congregate young people without an element of illegal activity. That is a fact that has been repeated time and time again. Even the lots we had no permission to be in, tolerated it for a while, then of course something always happens. The ever famous shoot out the HQ for example. We were left alone in that parking lot until ten people pulled out guns and started shooting the place up. The police even patrolled the lot occasionally during the night, and we still had idiots underage drinking, breaking curfew, and smoking pot.
The only time you are going to get a group of young people to act civilized is by making it a secure event. Meaning age verification, car searches, set hours, and of course what every person under the age of 25 loves (sarcasm)……. Rules. Once you do that, it no longer interests those who say “we need a place to hangout to prevent illegal activity”.
I also noted that you say we are not all bad, this is a true statement, but unfortunately we always bring the worst out of those around us. No matter how well behaved those who want to be there are, the wrong element always seeks them out and acts out irrationally to “liven things up”.
Someone mentioned the "Jenros" crowd, well that is a different beast in itself. Those people are just car entusiasts meeting show off their cars. You say the same crowd is gathering in these lots, but that is not true. A portion of the crowd gathering in these lots are escaping direct supervision for activities that normally would not be done. I would say on a good night you may have 60% of the lot filled with actual car entusiasts and their cars. The rest is nothing but people using the situation to act out.

[Corey]

I can remember a time when we had permission to hang out in a parking lot. A good friend's family owns a dojo and we would hang out there on Saturday night. Trash clean up and policing the lot was up to us. If things didn't go well, we would no longer have a place to hang out.

This worked awesome. We would keep who we wanted in the parking lot. If we didn't know them or they weren't a friend of one of our close friends, they were gone. I can remember personally walking over to cars pulling in the lot and telling them to leave. Nobody ever gave us a hassle.

I miss those days.

[SlowLS]

I will be writing one soon.:D
Please don't.

[sucio7]

Sung,

First, your letter to the Pilot was dead on. Thank you for writing it. It should've been written many years ago, as it demonstrates the plight the entire automotive enthusiast scene has faced in this area for as long as I can remember. You have two problems that are actually the root of what transpired last weekend. You have not only national negativity, but you also have to work with what the Commonwealth deems as suitable.

This is not just a local problem, contrary to popular opinion. Have none of you noticed that NOPI, Battle of the Imports, and the shows marketed by Drop Jaw Magazine no longer have a home in ANY Virginia facility? No one bothered to ask why, when VMP hosted the largest NOPI show in the 2005 schedule. It is also not just an auto scene problem either. You will recall the major headlines surrounding the Motley Crue concert at the amphitheater last fall. The problem is that public facilities on private owned property are subject to local and state laws, including the ones set by the ABC if they sell beer, wine or liquor. All it takes is a couple of complaints about any kind of "lewd" behavior, and the next thing you know, your favorite events are no longer welcome in Virginia. Now, we have to trek all the way to Rockingham, ATCO, or MIR to partake in the bigger shows. I don't know about you, but I really didn't mind the 90 minute drive compared to several hours on my tranny. The idea being that Virginia wants anyone to be able to go to any public facility for any event and take their child, so I can bet you that if you do something even a little out of place, you will get yourself a ticket of some sort, just to remind us all that we are not in charge.

Gatherings by any group of individuals that does not make the City any money are quickly frowned upon. First, we got that retarded no cruising law slamme don us. Then, you will remember just a few years ago there used to be bunch of charity fundraising car shows by a lot of different car clubs. Virginia Beach decided that would be no more, since they don't get a piece of the pie. Now, to get city approval, you have to do your car club show with "The Boardwalk" show, so the city can charge you a fee to show your car or your club's cars.

I encourage anyone who reads this to get involved with the Car Club Council in whatever fashion you can, get your clubs listed there so you will always be in the know of important legislature that affects you. I understand there may be a Council created shortly in Northern VA also, so there is more good news in that. Support the events in strong numbers at the facilities that are already in place. Someone has already gone through the trouble of cutting through the red tape for you, those event organizers are those people.

S-You are welcome to whatever assistance I may lend and contacts I have in my rolodex. Outside of that, I hope to see you around at VMP, STS, and maybe I will trek up to MIR myself.
so dam true i have live thru some of them u go to sleep and wake up there is a new law out

[SlowLS]

She is right about the council, we can help.ifyou didnt read my last post, Langley speedwayin hampton has street nights every wed,you can go there and race (legal drags) on the track for twenty dollars, Hal Hartel of the peninsula car club council told me about this.For those of you coming to the navy car show on june 3, we (car club council) are in charge of it, my self being the judge for all imports, i would love to meet andtalk with those of you who come.:cool:
Langley has been going on for some time now. Good info about, just want to clear soemthing it. It is not a drag race at all, you race on a circle track. I might come out to jenro's this saturday to see what it is like. I'm not and idiot and will most like keep my import away from the real cars.

[blackout]

Langley has been going on for some time now. Good info about, just want to clear soemthing it. It is not a drag race at all, you race on a circle track. I might come out to jenro's this saturday to see what it is like. I'm not and idiot and will most like keep my import away from the real cars.

see, this is a self-defeating attitude that will continue to deflate our chances at ever being accepted as true enthusiasts by the public. so now you don't have a 'real car' unless it's a classic domestic? i suppose that could work out great for the teenage asshole who happens to have a 68 chevelle...

the more people see people who drive imports who have a functioning brain between their ears, the better off we'll be. park your car wherever the hell you want. if people want to condescend, then THEY'RE the ignorant assholes.

[Corey]

see, this is a self-defeating attitude that will continue to deflate our chances at ever being accepted as true enthusiasts by the public. so now you don't have a 'real car' unless it's a classic domestic? i suppose that could work out great for the teenage asshole who happens to have a 68 chevelle...

the more people see people who drive imports who have a functioning brain between their ears, the better off we'll be. park your car wherever the hell you want. if people want to condescend, then THEY'RE the ignorant assholes.
Preach it brother.

[yuichiror]

Nicely put Sung.


I might come out to jenro's this saturday to see what it is like. I'm not and idiot and will most like keep my import away from the real cars.
Actually Jenro's sounds like a good idea, I'm gonna try to stop by. Anyone know what times things get started on Saturday and Sunday?

[Mr. Neon Boy]

I will be writing them soon also. Hell, we owe it to ourselves and this culture to do something, why not start here? Very well written letter, Sung.

[doughboy415]

Check tomorrows Va pilot auto weekly section, it gives info on jenros, all local car shows and different club meetings, As far as the guy who says he will go there, but keep his import away from the real cars, well, what do you call a real car? I've been going out there for the past 14 yrs, and I have a real car, a 92 HONDA ACCORD, DROPPED, KITTED OUT,and with the big stereo, and some ENGINE MODS, in other words a TUNER, and I'm probablly the oldest tuner driver up here 38yrs old.

[red2001ss]

Nicely put Sung.


Actually Jenro's sounds like a good idea, I'm gonna try to stop by. Anyone know what times things get started on Saturday and Sunday?

Usually only on Saturdays, and starts around 4/430. If it's nice out and mildly warm, a bunch of cars should be there.

[NEO_WRX]

I can remember a time when we had permission to hang out in a parking lot. A good friend's family owns a dojo and we would hang out there on Saturday night. Trash clean up and policing the lot was up to us. If things didn't go well, we would no longer have a place to hang out.

I miss those days.

until a big man who was changing his tires decided to quickly approach the investigating police car with tire iron in hand. that was pretty funny.

[vasponger]

Check tomorrows Va pilot auto weekly section, it gives info on jenros, all local car shows and different club meetings, As far as the guy who says he will go there, but keep his import away from the real cars, well, what do you call a real car? I've been going out there for the past 14 yrs, and I have a real car, a 92 HONDA ACCORD, DROPPED, KITTED OUT,and with the big stereo, and some ENGINE MODS, in other words a TUNER, and I'm probablly the oldest tuner driver up here 38yrs old.
the one in this months Octane?

[Poindexter]

Alliances between car clubs is great, but why not ally with everything automotive in the area? Why doesn't someone approach the car dealers? They are a huge legislative force and the biggest clients of all the advertising medias in Hampton Roads.

As a dealer there is a stigma that the tuners don't like us because we can't warranty a service or we can't get someone financed on a new vehicle or something - there's always something. Most threads about dealers are negative, but if you all approach us it could be a different story.

[C45P312]

Alliances between car clubs is great, but why not ally with everything automotive in the area? Why doesn't someone approach the car dealers? They are a huge legislative force and the biggest clients of all the advertising medias in Hampton Roads.

As a dealer there is a stigma that the tuners don't like us because we can't warranty a service or we can't get someone financed on a new vehicle or something - there's always something. Most threads about dealers are negative, but if you all approach us it could be a different story.
Good point. You're are on target with this as it is one of the things on the agenda with tonights meeting @ 8pm. I have a list of things to be discussed. Things like our weaknesses, strengths, benefits, threats, etc. I'm glad you will be able to make it to tonights meeting.

[sung]

Has anybody been checking the Pilot's commentary pages from the past couple of days? I'm interested in if they've published any new views on this issue.

[elambz]

Alliances between car clubs is great, but why not ally with everything automotive in the area? Why doesn't someone approach the car dealers? They are a huge legislative force and the biggest clients of all the advertising medias in Hampton Roads.

As a dealer there is a stigma that the tuners don't like us because we can't warranty a service or we can't get someone financed on a new vehicle or something - there's always something. Most threads about dealers are negative, but if you all approach us it could be a different story.
With that being said, have you talked to someone in the correct department for that? You would definately do better than most of us when it came to approaching a dealership. Although it might help to also have others also talk to them. :dunno:

[Poindexter]

With that being said, have you talked to someone in the correct department for that? You would definately do better than most of us when it came to approaching a dealership. Although it might help to also have others also talk to them. :dunno:


I'll be meeting with all the parts and service departments for Checkered Flag about something that may help here a little. There is something I've been working on for a while, but I won't let the cat out of the bag till it is final ;)

[elambz]

:thup:

[GIO]

Nice Sung.

I was told the reason Nopi wasn't happening at VIR anymore, was because NHRA Sport Compact Racing Series didn't want the NDRA there and are trying to monopolize the import racing market

[89c-rex]

sung ive known you since you made this site, you were good friends w/ my sister rebecca and sabrina. I agree w/ you 100% but dont you think your being a little hypocritical b/c for years you have had Road Kill Forum specifically designed for people to talk about people they have raced on the street. I'm sure i will get flamed for this but to sit here and listen to all these guys talk about how they have been trying to help is bullshit