Racing Teams and Crews... who joins this goofy shit?

[bigemrich]

Good Idea Luda, hopefully that will steer some people in the right direction. Try to change this image of street racing back into a sport which is done the right way, and safe.

--Kyle

 

[Evil1gDsm]

I raced for this company here in Upper Illinois for almost 2 years. They'd build cars and i was their driver..Really kickass..I had to go through like soo many classes..to be able to drive..but..I ran road chorse and strip...If this what were talking about...dan

 

[P8ntBalla]

The way I see it, its just different strokes for different folks. There are tons of "ricers" nowadays because of the Fast and Furious series, but there are also the people who just do it to make their cars fast - like most on this board. The latter of the 2 has been around almost since cars have been around and I believe they always will be. IMO, the whole "rice" think is a fad and it will play itself out.

On the topic of clubs or teams or "crews," I am friends with a few members of an Orlando-based Honda "crew" called Orlando Powerline. They go out to all of the local steret races out there, they talk like the ghetto gangstas, have tatoos and all that stuff, but they have 4-door civics with baby seats in them that go 11's on steret tires, all motor(obviously with empty baby seats). You would look at these guys and see the tatoos and listen to how they talk to each other and expect them to get into some 16 second econo box and floor it out of the parking lot, but if you talked cars with them you would be stunned by the overwhelming knowledge and expierience that they have. Just goes to show that you should never judge a book by its cover.

 

[Crazy E]

im not in a club, but as obnoxious as they can be, i have to defend some of them.

it is often about the image, and what goes along with it. They do it to look cool in front of the ladies. Honestly, if you showed some chick your 12 second 1g and then showed her a 3rd gen eclipse with a kit and vertical door conversion that ran 17+, she would fall all over the 3g. Why? performance means nothing to most girls, looking trendy in a 2f2f car can matter. Girls rarely compliment truly fast cars unless the car also looks the part.

Having a fast car would be fun, but attrating easy, hot stupid girls is even better.

How do I know this? When I had my racing seats in girls used to love them, and my sound system. If I showed them a huge turbo they would have been like "uh....ok"

then again, I have a 1.8, im not fast or impressing the ladies (though some girls like my car)


my .02

 

[bigemrich]

Having a fast car would be fun, but attrating easy, hot stupid girls is even better.

I beg to differ. Don't get me wrong, I am not a queer or anything, but most chicks I know don't give two shits what you drive, fast, slow, kitted, or stock. Grant it that only goes so far, like they notice if you have a rusty POS, but I would rather go fast and please myself. Find a nice hot chick that doesnt' care either way, and get the best of both worlds

--Kyle

 

[leet]

I beg to differ. Don't get me wrong, I am not a queer or anything, but most chicks I know don't give two shits what you drive, fast, slow, kitted, or stock. Grant it that only goes so far, like they notice if you have a rusty POS, but I would rather go fast and please myself. Find a nice hot chick that doesnt' care either way, and get the best of both worlds

--Kyle

Agreed. To be honest, my GF likes my shitbox of a car.

I don't know why. She says cuz it goes vroooooooooom tsh.

 

[demonchild]

ludachris thanks for doing that page. I have been looking into racing schools for a while now. I'm just trying to figure out which ones are best, and the only way seems to be to contact people that have already gone through a specific class. Also, it seemed like a lot of good racing schools only offered comprehensive classes in front wheel drive and rear wheel drive, but NOT all wheel drive. Might as well learn how to drive the car that I actually own properly.

 

[TurboDSM90]

I dont see the reason to hate on teams or car clubs that are genuine, go fast/look clean, win races/shows, type of deal.

I am part of a so called "rice club" that has been around for 6 years, and counting. There are a couple car clubs/teams/crews here in the bay area that are legendary.

The members in the crew are always willing to lend a hand, and I return the favor. Yes the majority are honda owners, but I respect them for the knowledge they have, and the passion they have for wrenching. I have learned alot from them, as they have from me.

Club dsm is great, but I think the honda boys have helped me out more than any Club DSM member; maybe because I dont have any resources to share

The president of the club I am in treats this operation as a family because he has no other brothers or sisters, and to him we are considered the likes.

True there are actual clubs/crews/organizations that look like they just poped out of a super street magazine, and sure it would be nice to educate them. Do they care about what you think about them? no. Kragens, Pep boys, Auto Zone does, so why not yell at them?

Rice will be around as long as you can get 75 dollar fart cans, and sky scraping spoilers from auto parts stores... Hollywood also shares the blame.

To each there own, selective bashing I guess.

So, how 'bout that vendor review forum?

 

[98eclipseRS]

damnit chris I was just about to ask you to join my racing team "hella mad norcal racing team Yo!!!!111" i was hoping you would be a member. Anyway is that racing page only going to be that typing or is there going to be a forum that goes along with it?? maybe you could find some sort of way to find a track locator site or soemthign to that extent(specifically 1/4 tracks since that is what most dsmers are concerned with). I agree with you though that racing teams are rediculous but they do provide enjoyment when you spank one of the members and all his "boyzzz" get hella pissed at you.

 

[9D9 MITSU RS]

Most people around throw together clubs just because it seems like the cool thing to do. Then someone gets jealous b/c they aren't the pres., so they go and take half the club with them to start a new 1. 6 months later, everyone is on their own again.

I have been in a few clubs, but I've dropped a lot. I finally said no more.

I recently met a bunch of guys that are cool as hell and go to some shows, etc. I ended up joining their club, and I've been in there for about a year. We're more like a group of friends/family than a car club. We have gone to several shows and events together. It's not all about racing. Some of the biggest groups are in the show scene. We're hoping to be both, but we have a lot of projects underway right now. For isntance, we have an S13 240sx with an S15 metal front end on it. No fiberglass. He is getting a blacktop SR20DET swapped in. We have a guy with an M3 who is getting an STi soon. We have some fast cars and some show cars. We catch a bunch of BS b/c of the show in the club, but whatever... show cars never get respect. My club is called Team RPM. It stands for Racing, Performance, and Modification. We have some autocross junkies and some guys that do some shows, etc. We're mostly in it to have fun, get our name out, etc. We're also trying to establish a good name for "tuners" in our community by helping out with some charities and other things.

Our site is in need of an update, b/c we have a few new models and some new cars. I'm pretty sure we have an Evo now with a few mods, and the guy with the red celica just bought a 350z. www.TeamRPM.20m.com . If you don't like, don't flame about it here. I just put it up for anyone who might wanna check it out.

 

[Spln_Hrd]

i am to antisocial to be in a car club... i don't like explaining stuff to morons, and i don't like people knowing what i do to my car around here because i owned the first dsm in the area and now there are about 10 dsm inthusiasts who want to know what parts i have so they can put them on their cars.

i keep to myself and i got out of the illegal racing after i grew up a little, only thing i need to race is the time on the board not some jerkoff who wants to smoke the whole town.

 

[EclpzLvr97]

This all boils down to stereotypes. You see a group of young kids who have formed a crew and have the typical "look fast" cars that really go nowhere. But, what about teams that actually have goals in place and are working towards them? Not every non-professional team is just a group of clueless idiots.

Like ldstang50, I'm also part of Team Trinity. We have our own website which is under reconstruction. We have set goals of some of the cars reaching certain quarter mile times as well as goals of extending our network base with sponsorships and other connections.

This March will be our 3rd Annual DSM meet @ George Mason University which has been quite a success the past 2 times. People *all* over the VA, MD, DC area know about this meet and look forward to it.

Each of our members contribute and help the team in different ways. We have our graphics design guy, we have one who is great with electrical/audio stuff, we have one who has a shop nearby, we have a writer, etc, etc.

I think as long as a group is serious when they get together, has goals, and actually works towards them, it is respectable. It's not all about illegal street racing. It's about going to the track, improving our cars, hosting driving days and other events/meets, expanding our connections, and getting known.

 

[DSMRevolution]

I really agree with most of what everybody is saying. We have a few "teams" around here who are no better then a rock in your shoe. That is the team that you won't find racing at tracks. Sure they have fun and enjoy crusing around, but once you see over half of those cars at WOT then you see why they put their money on their paint rather then under the hood. Sure there is a lot of little things they could do to make their cars faster or quicker, but most of them are only dreaming of owning a turbo kit or a NOS button. I respect them for just being themselves and having a good time crusing around hanging out, but when they pull up to a stop light next to me and hit redline trying to get me to glance or race then that is when :thumbdown . I appreaciate the common, "Nice looking car, sounds pretty quick!" but when I get the, "Hey man check this out... VRRRROOOMMMM REV REV BLING BLING HUBCAPS GO VROOMMMMM" then I get the urge to roll my eyes at them.

This is going to be a good summer coming up. Summer is when I can really enjoy this hobby. Myself I look forward to going to the track, crusing around late nights with the windows down, washing the admiring what my time and effort together has created, and just hanging out with close friends no matter what we are doing. For example, jpape (John) and ZachM31 (Zach). True I have not known them for a long time but I would consider them really great friends. We can enjoy this hobby together and give each other hard times knowing that what it comes down to is that just because of a common interest we shared we have some great longterm friends.

Seeing why most people are interested in this hobby is simple. Maybe its just a trend for some and for others its a way of life. In my opinion whatever keeps you doing what you enjoy is a good enough reason to keep at it.

 

[450whpGSX]

I guess I'm just getting older and can't understand the kids these days... spending what little money they do have on decals and visual accessories

let them buy their stickers and accessories, it makes it all the better to embarrass their ass on the street.

 

[Shoujo96]

Its laughable. In my area theres a group that are all about body kits, rims, stickers, and putting huge tach's in automatic Hyundai's (which i'm still laughing at seeing). I see this group of about 10 cars sitting at the local track, but atleast their smart enough not to run. The only competition here is the local mustang club, and most of those guys are x-ricers that couldnt figure out how to make a honda fast or what a turbo is for. But off that nonsense, I dont do the car clubs, but I hang out with two other DSM guys here and we go to the track to humiliate the honda's that do run. To each their own as far as clubs go though.
James

 

[gsx rated98]

Well, like eclpzlvr97 and ldstand50 im also apart of Team Trinity.

Now, i really understand what people are talking when they say teams and clubs are worthless. There use to be a club here on base called "peoplz" i really cant say much about them because i didnt talk with any of them or did i know any of their cars. I had always been against being with a group and you really couldnt of talked me into joining any team or club until i met the people in Trinity. I have only been with them for about 6 months, and i have made definate life longs friends because of it. As said previously, we dont really mess around with the look pretty stuff, all of our mods have, in one way or another, been to support going faster. And yes, we do goto the track, and we do run our cars. We have our own sponsored events, and right now alot of it is out of pocket, but we are out to meet sertain goals, and to get some levels of recognition and respect in the DSM and Racing community.

I think clubs and teams are for some people and definatly not for others. It is more like a family thats for sure, we do stuff outside of cars. When ever one of us needs the other, were always there for eachother. It is more like a family then a car club, or team.

 

[crazyjoe]

The problem isn't race clubs, or stickers, or even stupid people.

The problem is that kids today have too much damn money. Hell if I know where they get it. When I was 16 I was drving a 1985 LeBaron GTC with a 2.2L 4 cylinder engine (rated at about 100hp, I think). I had enough money to put gas in it, drive to the mall every now and then, and hang out with my pals (doing something other than talking about my car).

This was the day when you could still go out and buy a totally rusted out '60s or early 70s musclecar and have 455 big block under the hood, so smoe people did that. Some people, with well-to-do parents, got IROC-Z camaros and Mustangs, but ithey didn't have 4,000 worth of customizations on it, that was for a few lucky folks who were really rich or had a special hook-up, or both.

Now, tons of kids dive cars newer than mine or my wife's, with customizations out the pooper. Someone needs to be telling these kids to save for college, learn the value of a dollar (the kind you earn, not the kind mom and dad give you), and wait till you're established before you spend 10 grand (hell that's low) on a vehicle. If you can afford to put 3 grand a year into your car to make it look cool, you ought to be paying rent and buying your own food.

 

[Eagle_Summit]

Ahh, i like the idea. It's going to deffinately help those to learn and those to help others learn i hope. I'm really looking forward for this coming spring/summer and fall to start racing. I know im going to go to the track as much as i can. Ive always wanted to race so nows my chance.

At least theres not alot of kids around here that think they r in race clubs. Besides one DSM owner who says hes part of sum fancy Tuning shop ( which doesnt exist). But yeah, just ranting.

Also, on that link you posted with the section for racing, I noticed at the bottom that if we dont have a track we need to get together with people and talk about it with the city and such. What does it take to get a track going exactly? I understand insurance and all that, but do you just basically get a petition going or call the city and ask for a meeting? I know the closest Quarter Mile is about 5-6 hours away, and the 1/8 is about 2 hours away. I have a feeling if we brought a quarter mile to our town it would deffinately help you, because it would be right in the middle of the 2 areas.


Keep up the good work though Chris.

 

[DSMTurboEclipse]

Luda...I think the racing page you made is a great idea. I also think a racing team that consists of members that race in SCCA or drag-racing events at tracks would be a great idea but not many people do that stuff. Most people think its just a way to drink socially and hangout in parking lots.

 

[Ludachris]

I see all these people defending Race Teams saying how they're like families and how they help eachother out and do different things together, and they do go to the track, etc. The funny thing is, I am part of a small group of friends who do all of the same things - we help eachother out, we do different things together, we go to the track, we go on drives, etc - but we don't call ourselves a "race team".

I'd like to know what the average number of members in each "team" actually competes in an annual sanctioned racing series. We have a member of this site who just won his class in NASA Pro Racing, named Greg Collier (I don't think he's apart of a racing team, but I could be wrong). How many racing team members are this serious about actually racing? This is what I'm getting at. All these "Team This Racing" and "Team That Racing", or "X Racing Crew", and very few of the members in these groups are actually serious about REAL racing. Some of them might hit the track every now and then, but how many of them are participating in actual events? Yet, they have themselves a fancy team name just like in NASCAR.

Now ldstang50 and others, please don't take this the wrong way - for all I know, your team might just be more dedicated to racing than I've hinted at. I'm not trying to put you down, just asking the questions that others like me wonder when they see cars driving around with these big as "racing" stickers on a car that looks like it'll never hit the track. If you do have a "racing" team that is dedicated to getting its members involved in REAL racing events and track days, then I commend you. But for those who just gather fast cars so they can call themselves "Team Idiotic Racing" and get decals made for their cars, I have to question their motives and their age. If you're gonna call your car club a "racing" team, then do us all a favor and learn about racing and get your "team" members involved in track racing on a regular basis. Otherwise, you'll look like a bunch of posers who just finished watching the Fast & the Furious and you make us all look bad.

 

[Shifty]

I am a part of a 15+ member team.

Everyother weekend when the track is open, we are there.
When it's not that weekend, we go out to Sturgis for the 1/8mile drags.
When there is an autox in town, we kill in that.

For being a "Import Tuner Club" we are a part of the Siouxland Car Council that has all the hotrods and pure muscle guys. We pay our dues, and the only sticker you see on our cars is a TINY BLACK decepticon on dark ass tint.

Brandon I hope you are talking about Flatline cuz I get revved on by them bout everynight.

 

[Ludachris]

Also, on that link you posted with the section for racing, I noticed at the bottom that if we dont have a track we need to get together with people and talk about it with the city and such. What does it take to get a track going exactly? I understand insurance and all that, but do you just basically get a petition going or call the city and ask for a meeting? I know the closest Quarter Mile is about 5-6 hours away, and the 1/8 is about 2 hours away. I have a feeling if we brought a quarter mile to our town it would deffinately help you, because it would be right in the middle of the 2 areas.


Keep up the good work though Chris.

It's difficult to say - as each local area has different road blocks in the way. I know there was a national group around a while back called "racers against street racing", and they were trying to get people involved in petitioning for more tracks. I'm sure it's not a very easy task, as many communities probably don't want a track in their backyard. But it's worth getting together with other racing enthusiasts in your area and looking into it at the very least.

And if you do have a 1/8 mile track 2 hours away, get the racers in your area to use it. We need more leaders to start organizing events and leading the charge to get people to go to the track.

 

[Ludachris]

I am a part of a 15+ member team.

Everyother weekend when the track is open, we are there.
When it's not that weekend, we go out to Sturgis for the 1/8mile drags.
When there is an autox in town, we kill in that.

For being a "Import Tuner Club" we are a part of the Siouxland Car Council that has all the hotrods and pure muscle guys. We pay our dues, and the only sticker you see on our cars is a TINY BLACK decepticon on dark ass tint.

Brandon I hope you are talking about Flatline cuz I get revved on by them bout everynight.

Now that's something you don't see everyday. Congrats! A "team" that actually races at the track regularly. Hopefully we'll see some of your members getting involved in some type of club racing soon - maybe we'll even see them published in Grassroots Motorsports mag setting a good example for other DSM enthusiasts.

 

[boostedinaz]

I will totaly agree with Luda on this. So many people want to be in the "life style" but it is just a ### attemp at fitting in with the newest trend. I have gone to races and seen a FEW people that are there to gather information on there performance. I see a ton of people out there cause its "cool" or they want there "girl" to see what they do. All they do is wast 15-20 seconds of other track time. Then of course they cant just leave a track in a normal manner. They have to rev so everyone knows who has the 150 HP car and do burnouts tons of stupid shit. As far as stereotypes go, I think that for the most part they are true. Almost any sterotype you see I bet I could find 20 people that fit that to a T.

Me, I hangout with John, L2R and the Southwest DSM guys, but I dont consider myself a part of a club. I happen to hangout with guys that have similar interest and even then I dont show up alot.

 

[turbolaserAWDrs]

I think when most people have a "team", it is usually a group of SHOW cars. I know that in my area(Central PA), it is a huge hub of tuner cars, and tuner shops. The "sport" is real big around here, now granted its not philly, cali, or somethin huge like that. Anyways....the biggest "team" is Waterworks Racing Team. It started out 4 years ago as a small group of friends who did race....it has since expanded into the number one SHOW team in the country. If you don't believe me check www.4ncca.com. They are the governing body for car shows.

The team has over 40 members....some of which have show cars, others have RACE cars. There are several 12-13 second cars(other cars than DSM's) as well as basically a car that placed in 1st place nationally in each car division. WRTeam travles to each car show in a caravan and all show with eachother. I think the misconception with people having "race" teams are really just a bunch of show cars.

Several other teams have popped up, then went defunct...none of which claimed to be racing teams..but just a "team" of show cars.