Greetings.

I've been on this board since 2002 and have been a peripheral enthusiast in Calgary's car scene since 2000. For those of you who don't know, Calgary is home to Race City Speedway, a well known Canadian track; one of the best (and only) tracks in Western Canada. There are a number of well done cars here, from our beloved Hondas to Subarus to BMWs to Toyotas, etc.

I've been out to countless meets, legal track races and a few "street events", and as an observation, it seems that the people coming out to these events, legal or not, on forums or in person, and whether they are new faces or regulars, all seem to be getting crankier.

That's right.

No matter where I go or who I talk to, those people who seemed to enjoy fixing up their cars for fun, talking about everything from reversion to flywheel weight, now seem too preoccupied with slamming newcomers for asking the same questions that they all asked a few years (or a few dozen years) prior. When I started out I don't remember a single condescending comment, now, people risk being laughed at, ridiculed or shunned in some circles, for asking basic questions.

Talk about driving fast with Grandma, and she'll tell you to slow down, be safe, responsible, etc. Talk about driving quickly with half the people on any given forum or a meet and you'll probably hear the same thing. Sure, I'm all for safety. Two of my friends got hit last summer on their motorcycles (not speed related), one from being hit by an SUV (he lived) and the other from being hit by a minivan (he did not). I want to make it home safely and I want my friends to as well. That being said, it seems that over the last few years, there has been an overreaction to the "scene", any car related hobby, going 20kmph over on the highway, making a few runs through the mountains...

I guess I just wonder why so many people have decided that even when driving responsibly and safely, that we're being "dangerous" or "reckless". There's a huge difference between going 150kmph over the limit and then there's going 30kmph over, but from these people I hear the same warnings and proclamations of indecency from either behaviour.

Almost as if the people who have been around for a few years think that their judgment is more valid than the judgment of those operating their vehicles. I think it to be hypocritical because I'm sure that 90% of the naysayers have driven so quickly at some point in their life that had an officer of the law witnessed them, they'd be in cuffs instantly.

I wonder what gives these people who have been involved for awhile the right to label anyone as "deviant" when they themselves, to wider society at large, are the founding members of this quasi-subculture we all participate in.

I guess that's all I can come up with at the moment. I'm sure this will incite many of you to write something - let's keep this as a passionate, yet rational discussion rather than a "let's all flame dresden_k for being such an irresponsible jerkoff" type-discussion. Before you assume I'm a dickwad, re-read this post and notice that I'm not condoning street racing or going 150kmph over.

Goodday to you.:canada:

 

Well said. I've found here people have been pretty friendly. The basement people can be a bit harsh but I think it's all in good fun.

I'm from Calgary too. Judging by your join date and post count I suppose you're more likely on beyond.ca

 

Hi :wavey:

 

I have been on Beyond.ca, but I don't post much there because I know half a dozen members from there personally and we prefer to meet up over a pint...

I wasn't trying to imply that people aren't friendly necessarily, just that there are a number of people in "the community" that seem to be frumpier than I remember anyone being three or four years ago.

Damn that Fast and the Furious movie. Brought too much attention. :P

 

I couldn't agree more.. very well said, might I add.

In the blinding shit-storm of fanatical brand loyalty, the sense of "community" is easily lost nowadays. First and foremost, it's the love of driving that unites us.

And re: your earlier post:
When it comes to gross violations of the law - or common sense - it is easy to cross that line into hypocritical preaching. But still, we are defined in the eyes of law enforcement by those few who are grossly irresponsible... so IMHO, we all have a duty to curb the criminally negligent behavior whenever possible.

In the end, it's a matter of balance...enjoying the hobby, but also being responsible citizens.

Welcome to HAN. :cheers:

 

I wish I'd come up with that sentence.

I agree. I suppose any further discussion I might want to encourage would be on what makes someone a responsible citizen. The general topic of when speeding becomes criminal, or when driving quickly is even speeding, are two topics that interest me greatly.

I suppose those two topics are really just two variations of the same basic idea - "At Which Point Does Driving Quickly Become Dangerous (and therefore illegal)".

To try to tie in this with what I mentioned before, it seems that the commonly held ideas of what it is to be safe and responsible vary greatly within society or within our community. While I might not have a personal issue with someone going 170kmph on the highway when it's empty (certainly I don't lest I end up in jail for the rest of the year), the line gets blurry - the person might be irresponsible in the legal sense, but may not actually be putting anyone in danger. What might we say about that person? There is always the legal responsibility we have to conform to the laws of our society. If we break them, we go to jail. I'm not arguing that whatsoever. Sometimes I disagree with people about what they think is safe vs. what I think is safe. I try to base my beliefs on rational facts, and certain facts seem to escape people, and certainly I am not aware of every fact regarding driving. I'm kind of starting to rant here. :rant:

Ok, let's try it from this angle. It is commonly assumed that to drive fast is to be unsafe. Certainly it is illegal, and I'm not really trying to take the conversation there. I just don't think that driving quickly is as unsafe as many people think, given a capable vehicle and much driving experience. Police, for example, drive 3800lb cars, WELL over the speed limit, as often as they need to. We think of them as heroes for doing so. Certainly without police our society wouldn't function. But as far as driving is concerned, when we look at police officers merely as trained, intelligent individuals who have a great deal of experience, training and who drive reasonably decent cars, why then, are non police, young men and women with training and good judgement, capable cars and common sense penalized and scrutinized for speeding when appropriate?

Could it work in society for there to be a voluntary training program and car testing process so that trained enthusiasts could be allowed to exercise their judgement and still be responsible and safe while driving faster?

Sorry for the rant. :P

But, I digress. I agree. Have fun, be safe.

You all might enjoy this read: http://www.sense.bc.ca/research.htm

 

I have always thought it would be a cool idea to be able to get an advanced drivers lisence. One that would give better drivers more freedoms, but i can just imagine people taking advantage of this and doing something stupid.

 

I agree
:canada:

 

Few things:
1) Excellent thread...good, well-stated thoughts.
2) I too love the idea of an advanced driver's license. Perhaps advanced defensive-driving classes, some track time, vision and reaction-time testing could be included. A fee could cover the extra cost to the state for additional testing. Then, have special type of license plate or sticker indicating completion of the training, then cops could take into account conditions before pulling someone over.
3) Back to one of the original points in the first post...I hate how "the scene" has shifted from a love of cars and driving to trying to impress others and have the fastest or nicest cars...all that kind of crap. I think that's a lot of what has caused problems with the law enforcement community and the media, are cocky folks drawing attention to themselves by being reckless and flashy at the same time.

I'm watching TV while writing this, so it kinda sucks. I'll stop now.

 

Good thread bud.

Watch out this thread might get moved to On Topic before you know it for being to thought out.