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

[laserspeeddemon]

Yeah but thats usually a pro driver. We are talking about the average joe that has a few buddies that want to start a "club" or "team" How many of these local "Clubs" have dedicated mechanics and engineers? I might be way off to say close to none

I'm sorry, I misunderstood you. I thought you were talking about a pro team.

My friends and I have or own click going on. We do not call ourselves a club or team or whatever. We just love to work on cars and take them to the track. ABout 3 of us.

 

[Ludachris]

Although I'm going to get flamed for this, not everyone races their cars at sanctioned events - doesn't mean it isn't racing. Racing on the streets is still racing, just not legal, or organized.

Well, I guess that's apart of the whole image thing then. Because they "should" look into sanctioned events rather than look for cheap thrills and cute car club names.

 

[SplitGSX]

I hang out with guys from a club called XXXtremecompacts. No ricers, no street racers or nopi 2nrs. The club name is dumb but no one has stickers. Have nothing but good cars. Go to the track and autocross meets frequently, never doing ricer shit.

We have 3 DSMs one with 400fwhp one with 300awhp and mine. 1 Twin Supra with 420whp. an SRT4 sitting at 300, a 88 CRX with a B16 turbo that is a full show ride. A 95 Civic with a b16 turbo that runs 11.7. Mostly older guys who have hung out for a while and got past the ricer days before f&f came out.

Other clubs in town are ridiculous, one comes to mind of INSANE IMPORTZ. These guys roll around in 90hp civic with rims and monster tachs and think they are the shit. They sell parts over the internet and have almost gotten hurt very bad by screwing the wrong people on parts. Every car they work on they have to take to a local shop to sort out their mess ups.

Then there are just the people who hang out on the local forum and local shop, stupid ricers in stock preludes trying to drift around the mall parking lot and argue with me about why rims with the wrong offset and bolt pattern won't fit.....

 

[boostedinaz]

Well, you gotta start somewhere, don't you. Can't just "win a trophy" and then be like "oh, well, we're a team now.....how bout that shit? what's our name again? What have we done in the past AS TEAM X to get here?" You work your way up to points like that.

And people doing it to "be cool" or to get bitches is one thing...... but doesn't mean all are like that.

I understand that you have to start someone were and that is exactly what Luda is talking about. Not many people get sponsored by a shop or company by driving around in a group, or by hanging out in a parking lot. All the people I have seen get sponsored have all competed in a sanctioned event. I have also never seen a "team" get sponsered. They usually take the guy who drives the car and give him the money. If he then chooses to have his buddy be his head mechanic then so be it, but "Team XXXXXXXXXXXXXXtreme Imports" will not get sponsored.

NO ONE HAS SAID THAT ALL TEAMS ARE THIS WAY.

I dont know why that is so hard to understand. No one said all teams in the entire world and the history of the universe.

 

[EclpzLvr97]

I know no one said that all teams are this way directly....just seemed it was thought by how things have been said.

As far as sponsorships, yeah, I see what you mean as far as the individual gets the sponsorship and then shares benefits w/the team. We're doing just that for one we're trying to get....it's focusing on one car.

However, we do have a sponsorship in the works for all of us as a whole....no one person that it's focused on.

 

[xBOOSTx]

I don't understand why everyone is getting so bent out of shape over this. How is some "ricer" or his "ricer car club" going to make you look bad??? HOW??? Do what makes you happy. If a group of friends that are into modifying their cars wants to create a little club, then let them. If you think that it is stupid for these groups to create a label for themselves then maybe this site shouldn't have DSMtuners.com stickers. Not everyone is going to be in the "import scene" for the same reasons. If everyone agreed with everyone or if everyone liked the same exact thing that the person next to them did, this would be one boring world. If you are into race only, then so be it. If you are into show, then so be it. I don't understand why people seem to think that you cannot be a "tuner" or a "real race enthusiast" if you spend money on looks. I don't hear "ricers" saying..."your stupid for buying that turbo, you should have bought a bodykit". So why are all the "tuners" taking the time out of their day to complain about rice. Focus on yourself and not the others around you. I think the real problem is that to many people are taking this too serious. I mean look... 4 pages already about people complaining about rice. What makes a person that is only in it for track racing any better than a guy that is in it for the looks??? When the fun of it is gone then so is everything else. Look at professional sports, it's not even a game anymore, it's a business. If everyone just had a little more fun with this, we wouldn't need these useless threads. After all this is a hobby, not a way of life.

 

[DR.Spock]

hell yea!!

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[ITSME4G63]

haha I think I know where luda got his idea from :laugh: , fortunately I knwo that Im in a crew without even having to say it or promote it, anyone with a dsm who knows what a dsm is , already is in the dsm team. Crews and teams are made up by honda people to diverify themselves because all honda people are at war with themselves.

 

[Ludachris]

This is a great discussion - looks like I opened a can of worms

Nikki, I really am not trying to downplay your car club. It just makes me shake my head when I'm driving around and I see these cars with the huge "Team This and That Racing" across the windshield and you know that these kids do not race, nor have they probably even been to a race track. They think that stop light racing is the coolest thing because they saw it on some fruity movie and now they're helping this silly fad grow by creating these "racing teams" that have nothing to do with racing.

I'm just questioning why these kids aren't putting their energy into something more constructive. If you're going to call yourself a "racing team", then damn it, go to the track and learn how to drive your car in high speed conditions before you kill someone on the street. Racing should be done on the track. If you street race, then you street race, but don't start a ####ing car club to attract others to street race. You're ruining our hobby and you're the reason why new laws are being created that is making it more difficult to enjoy cars.

It's not necessarily just about the word Team or Racing in the name, or the definition of the word. It's what 90% of these groups stand for. They use a cute name for their club and they don't do anything good to represent our love for our cars. Team Trinity may not fall under this generalization, but God knows most of the other "teams" do. I'm tired of dealing with cops and stupid laws designed to combat these ignorant ass kids who think it's cute to get together with other kids and race on the street, giving us all a bad reputation, and calling themselves "racers" who "rep" their stupid ass "race team".

Holy cow, I could go on and on about this. Unfortunately for DSM owners, we have more and more of these misguided kids pouring into our corner of the world. We're no longer immune from the disease that the Honda crowd has suffered from for years. Hopefully we can work on changing this. Man, I need to stop typing before I have a stroke. This subject really makes my blood boil.

Well, gotta go for now, the 2.3L just got delivered. My blood is no longer boiling at the moment

 

[EclpzLvr97]

After all this is a hobby, not a way of life.

Very well said.

But sadly, to some people, this is a way of life. Some people's horizons do not go beyond cars.

 

[Ludachris]

I don't understand why everyone is getting so bent out of shape over this. How is some "ricer" or his "ricer car club" going to make you look bad??? HOW??? Do what makes you happy. If a group of friends that are into modifying their cars wants to create a little club, then let them. If you think that it is stupid for these groups to create a label for themselves then maybe this site shouldn't have DSMtuners.com stickers. Not everyone is going to be in the "import scene" for the same reasons. If everyone agreed with everyone or if everyone liked the same exact thing that the person next to them did, this would be one boring world. If you are into race only, then so be it. If you are into show, then so be it. I don't understand why people seem to think that you cannot be a "tuner" or a "real race enthusiast" if you spend money on looks. I don't hear "ricers" saying..."your stupid for buying that turbo, you should have bought a bodykit". So why are all the "tuners" taking the time out of their day to complain about rice. Focus on yourself and not the others around you. I think the real problem is that to many people are taking this too serious. I mean look... 4 pages already about people complaining about rice. What makes a person that is only in it for track racing any better than a guy that is in it for the looks??? When the fun of it is gone then so is everything else. Look at professional sports, it's not even a game anymore, it's a business. If everyone just had a little more fun with this, we wouldn't need these useless threads. After all this is a hobby, not a way of life.

I actually just addressed this in my last post.... I get bent out of shape because I have to deal with the backlash these tards create with law enforcement and others. It makes it more difficult for me to enjoy my hobby because some of these kids who think it's cool to start a "race team" and go out racing at every street light they can find. Yet, they don't realize what they're doing to the auto enthusiast group as a whole with their cute little "racing" image. I don't care about car clubs full of show cars that call themselves race teams - it's a little poser-ish in my opinion, but that's on them. This isn't a show car vs. fast car debate. There's a difference between making your car look good for a show, and creating an image of having a race car or a club that is described as a "racing" group.

 

[Ludachris]

haha I think I know where luda got his idea from :laugh:

how'd ya guess!

 

[boostedinaz]

I don't understand why everyone is getting so bent out of shape over this. How is some "ricer" or his "ricer car club" going to make you look bad??? HOW???........


....... If everyone just had a little more fun with this, we wouldn't need these useless threads. After all this is a hobby, not a way of life.

Like Luda has said it does affect us in one way or another. Ask all the people in Cali that have had all these restrictions and laws impossed over the last few years. I bet they would have a problem with Johnny Racecar Driver smashing his Civic into a school bus. Just becasue it doesnt affect you instantly and directly right away doesnt mean it wont came to bite you later.

 

[BOOstGhost]

some people join crews for benefits though, i joined a crew because they get wholesale on parts and can help me out with my car when i need it, not just to go out and race and look stupid, although there are a LOT of crews in the bay area that are like that.

 

[xBOOSTx]

Luda... have you ever raced on the street??? If you have, you have been a contributing factor to these outrageous laws being created. Although you may not do it now, your days of street racing may have influenced a younger driver to do the same and so on. Wouldn't it be poser-ish to talk shit about something you might have done. Street racing has been happening since the 50's and will continue on and on. I'm sure that it isn't only the generations of now that are driving cars they can't handle. yes, the race scene is bigger now than ever, but so is the population. Street racing on a crowded street is wrong. Driving your modified car isn't. It is very unfortunate that all are being stereotyped. If you took the number of street racing accidents oposed to other accidents i'm sure the difference would be astounding. Yet, I don't see the laws for those types of accidents increasing dramatically. I kinda got off the subject of the thread so to get back on topic... Yes there are alot of these "teams,clubs" that are full of pos and might not know shit about racing/modifiying. So what... they are having fun and doing what they like. I would rather have that any day than to have more and more gangbangers, criminals, drug dealers and so on.

 

[forcedfed4]

Yes there are alot of these "teams,clubs" that are full of pos and might not know shit about racing/modifiying. So what... they are having fun and doing what they like. I would rather have that any day than to have more and more gangbangers, criminals, drug dealers and so on.

But a lot of those clubs don't care. Couple months ago there was fighting between some "clubs", ask the wrx guys that lost their meet spot how much they like them. There is a ton of different crews in chi-town. Most the ones I'm talking about do race, but not at the track. If they do race at the track its usually at one of events out here like scc or rsd.

 

[xBOOSTx]

But a lot of those clubs don't care. Couple months ago there was fighting between some "clubs", ask the wrx guys that lost their meet spot how much they like them. There is a ton of different crews in chi-town. Most the ones I'm talking about do race, but not at the track. If they do race at the track its usually at one of events out here like scc or rsd.

there will always be some bad apples, but we can't allow them to create a stereotype for all. That would make us just like the government

 

[boostedinaz]

there will always be some bad apples, but we can't allow them to create a stereotype for all. That would make us just like the government

That’s true, but like I have said before, most stereotypes are true and the stereotypes about cars now a days is already in place.

People have been street racing for along time, but it wasn’t as publicized like it is now and that’s the problem. These kids, weather they belong to a "team/club" or not are making it very hard to go about how we used to. I used to be able to go to a certain street and watch good racing at 1:00 AM. Now all the cops spend a good amount of time looking in these spots for racing. Your examples are not that great. If the cops are spending more time pulling over cars that are lowered, have different color bulbs, or are hanging out in a private parking lot, then all the gangbangers and drug dealers have more time to do there thing.

All this thread was about is just on observation and a request. No one said that we go home at night and cry becasue some kid has a slow Civic with a bodykit. Just conversation between members of the DSMTuners Team.

 

[xBOOSTx]

That’s true, but like I have said before, most stereotypes are true and the stereotypes about cars now a days is already in place.

People have been street racing for along time, but it wasn’t as publicized like it is now and that’s the problem. These kids, weather they belong to a "team/club" or not are making it very hard to go about how we used to. I used to be able to go to a certain street and watch good racing at 1:00 AM. Now all the cops spend a good amount of time looking in these spots for racing. Your examples are not that great. If the cops are spending more time pulling over cars that are lowered, have different color bulbs, or are hanging out in a private parking lot, then all the gangbangers and drug dealers have more time to do there thing.

All this thread was about is just on observation and a request. No one said that we go home at night and cry becasue some kid has a slow Civic with a bodykit. Just conversation between members of the DSMTuners Team.

you saying that my examples aren't all that great are just like the "real tuners" saying someone's car is rice... Take it easy Vin, your opinions are not better than anyone else's. if there are more kids doing car stuff then obviously there would be less kids doing the gangbanging/drug dealing. I don't have to have the title of a wiseman to figure that one out. Also, your saying since there are so many kids street racing, there is alot more of the police force having to focus on this. So i guess back when you were a member of the secret race society, the police had more time to focus on real crime. I'm sure they aren't hiring more police officers to deal with this, they are prolly just pulling officers from their regular duties.

 

[boostedinaz]

you saying that my examples aren't all that great are just like the "real tuners" saying someone's car is rice... Take it easy Vin, your opinions are not better than anyone else's. if there are more kids doing car stuff then obviously there would be less kids doing the gangbanging/drug dealing. I don't have to have the title of a wiseman to figure that one out. Also, your saying since there are so many kids street racing, there is alot more of the police force having to focus on this. So i guess back when you were a member of the secret race society, the police had more time to focus on real crime. I'm sure they aren't hiring more police officers to deal with this, they are prolly just pulling officers from their regular duties.

There is no need to get to be an asshole. Your right, I see alot of people dealing drugs at car shows and races. There arent a set number of criminals in the world and they just move from one crime to another. The houses and neighborhoods I see these "teams" comming out of are not your typical "drugdealer/gangbanger" places. In my time of knowing some people that sold drugs and were gang members they were not into cars and could give two shits if what they drove was fast or if they were part of a team. Common sense in the real world doesnt need a wiseman title, but I am sure you knew that.

I dont know about were you live but here there are not that many police officers and they arent hiring them that fast. Its just common sense. You only have so many people to do a job. If they are concentrating on stupid shit like lowered vehicles then they arent out looking for other crimes. I never said I was part of a secrect society, thats you ignorant interpretation, but things have changed and you with all you knowledge should be able to see that. There were just an many cops then, but the racers were not there priority, now they are and I wonder why that is???? You tell me.

If you want to keep arguing them lets take it to PM's. I dont want this thread to get locked.

 

[xBOOSTx]

it's funny how when someone gets a title of wiseman or moderator, they seem to think that they know all. The title on this site is just that, on this site. It doesn't carry on into real life. So although you maybe a wiseman when it comes to DSM's, it doesn't make you one in life. My intent is not to get this thread locked, but rather to give my $.02, which is what it is. Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one. Only some are bigger than others. My point has been made on this thread already, I see no need to continue on through pm's.

 

[bhop]

I don't know if it's been mentioned already, this thread's kinda long, i just skimmed...

I get the impression everyone here thinks Racing teams are a new thing with imports? They're not. They've been going on since the Hot Rod days.. only back then, they'd call themselves "The Vultures" or some other kind of animal. For example, I always try to research the web before posting stuff like this so I don't look like an idiot, and I came across a Hot Rod club from the '60s called the Drag-ens... heh..

 

[Ludachris]

Luda... have you ever raced on the street??? If you have, you have been a contributing factor to these outrageous laws being created. Although you may not do it now, your days of street racing may have influenced a younger driver to do the same and so on. Wouldn't it be poser-ish to talk shit about something you might have done.

No, I'm not part of Team Hypocritical Racing if that's what you're implying. I've never slapped "team" decals on my car and went out "reppin" my crew at the street races, so I guess I can safely say no, I'm not acting poser-ish here. If I was calling everyone who has street raced an idiot, then I'd be a hypocrit. If you're trying to spread the blame around for the stereotypes that the police now have in my area, nice try. I'm not the reason they are now so well versed on noticing what to look for in an import engine bay when they pull you over. I'm also not the reason why they've increased fines and have been put on high alert to watch out for these young import racers with the big wings, loud exhausts and extensive sticker mods. You might not have noticed all of this, you not being from the Bay Area/California and all. But it's quite honorable of you to try and spread the blame around to all of us. Racing Teams need a good defense attorney like you.

Street racing has been happening since the 50's and will continue on and on. I'm sure that it isn't only the generations of now that are driving cars they can't handle. yes, the race scene is bigger now than ever, but so is the population.

Yes, and street racing in the 50's was much more organized and not quite as dangerous as it is these days. I'm sure street racing will never die, but it doesn't hurt to try and get the kids to go to the track anyway. It might even save a life or two.

Street racing on a crowded street is wrong. Driving your modified car isn't.

Well this is getting further off topic, but it sounds like you're agreeing with my point here. Not sure who said driving a modified car is wrong, but okay, I agree with you 100%.

It is very unfortunate that all are being stereotyped.

If you read over my comments, as well as the comments of others, you might pick up on one small detail mentioned a few times - we're not saying that every racing team falls under this generalization, but most will agree that the majority of them do. It is very unfortunate that you missed that in the original message.

back on topic... Yes there are alot of these "teams,clubs" that are full of pos and might not know shit about racing/modifiying. So what... they are having fun and doing what they like. I would rather have that any day than to have more and more gangbangers, criminals, drug dealers and so on.

Well, hey, that's justification enough for me. As long as they're not gang bangin or sellin drugs (not that modifying a car prevents them from selling drugs or gangbanging - it is physically possible for them to do all three), they're not harming anyone... that is, anyone who isn't getting hit by a "team xx racing" member who lost control racing some other kid at the light.

there will always be some bad apples, but we can't allow them to create a stereotype for all. That would make us just like the government.

And how are we supposed to prevent them from creating a stereotype for us all? Seems to me they've already done it. If it were a small number of bad apples, it probably wouldn't be that big of a problem. The point is, the stereotype is there, and it's very difficult to dispute with the amount of kids out there joining race teams that have nothing to do with legitimate racing.

The unfortunate part is, while justifying all of this and accusing myself as also being at fault, you fail to see the very point I've been trying to make this whole time. You even said it yourself - street racing on a crowded street is wrong - yet, that's exactly what many of these racing teams do. And they glamorize it by plastering stickers all over their car letting everyone know that they're "reppin" a racing team. Again, so that everyone reads it clearly, not every racing team does this. But unfortunately, the cops see no difference between them and us, so we all fit the profile. Thus, their actions do affect me negatively, and I do have the right to bi*** about it.

What I can't understand is how you absolutely refuse to agree that taking it to the track and teaching these kids how to properly drive their cars at high speeds isn't a better alternative. I'd bet that even the people here who are apart of a race team and don't like what I have to say about it would even agree with me on this point - and they might not even be Wisemen on our site, or in real life... (boostedinaz - we all know you don't think you know it all dude - I know it all though... Founders always do don't they or at least my title makes me think so). :end sarcasm: It's late, I should get some sleep.

 

[Slipstream]

Here is the conclusiion I've come to after many years of watching "the scene" transform.

1. A group of individuals who enjoy modifying their cars (performance or visual) is just that. A group. You can change the semantics all you wish, crew, gang, team, hommies, bros, etc. The fact remains that they are a group.

2. The use of the terms "Race" or "Racing" when applied to the vast majority of these groups is a misnomer. While there are a few legitmate amaturer groups that do spend a great deal of time advocating, attending and participating in safe, legal, sanctioned race events, they are very rare.

3. There is nothing wrong with a group of people who take an interest in their vehicles and choose to modify them (be it performance, big wings, chrome spinners, washer leds, or stereo systems. So long as they enjoy what they do, and do it because they love it, more power to them. As a personal note, their group name should indicate who they are and what they do. Calling a group who only does show modifications "racer/race/racing" anything is laughable.

4. Hollywood, The Newspaper conglomerates and mass media nightly news will not in any way help the image of "the scene." Their jobs respecitvely are to sell movies, sell subscriptions and sell advertising space, portraying the modified scene as an exclusive club that takes over the streets and night and kills kids in minivans helps them do that.

5. To improve the image or better yet, the scene itself, these groups regardless of racing inclinations should be helping the communities they reside in. Promoting knowledgeable modification (teaching someone to fiberglass a fender or how to install a new turbo , or whatever it is that said group has knowledge of), Think of activities outside of cars, how about local clean up days at the beach, toys for tots, or any of a number of other charitable things, promoting open track days, pushing for sanctioned racing locations, etc.
By being responsible citizens, not street racing, helping the community, etc. The public will gain a far more favorable impression.

6. Many of these groups are young people. The undeniable need to be accepted and to be a part of something larger than themselves is what leads to most of these groups, a common interest is just the thread that pulls them together. As they grow up and become more secure in themselves you usually find the groups have disolved and instead of being the "Mad Tyte Ricer Racers Yo" team they're now just a group of friends who don't need ridiculous names or vinyl badging to try and impress the general public (by the way..for those that are trying to impress the public...frankly folks they aren't impressed, most laugh, and the others just plain don't give a rat's ass).

7. No Matter how the majority of the modified world acts there will always be a new bunch of fresh drivers who just saw the latest hollywood movie and will take it upon themselves to be the target of the jokes. Just like those that modify their cars for image/status/impressing other people will fade from the scene. These types will always be around, they exisit in every hobby from fishing to paintball...those than are and those that want to pretend to be...but when modifying cars is no longer the "IN" thing, there will be far less of them, they'll move on to the next thing.
8. Cliff's Notes will not be available for this post.

9. I have dozens more points to express, but I think this is enough to chew on in one sitting.

I'll leave you with this thought. Many of you bi*** about "the scene" how "the scene" is portrayed, and so on. Well you can bi*** all you want to, but until you are actively doing something to make "the scene" better or help create a positive attitude toward it, your bitching is as helpful as those you bi*** about. Not so many years ago Bikers were the target of community disgust, police harrassment and generally the same things you all complain about. It wasn't that all bikers were bad, just that a few earned the rest a bad reputation. The legit bikers took the initiatiive to change that image...they started organizing rallies for toys for tots and doing positive things for thier communities and guess what happened...

 

[Thomas91169]

these ricer teams out there are redicilous. theres like team HyPhoniX or something that their fastest car is a GSR integra. whoppteedoo.

we got a little club going now, its me, my freind bryan in his 96 AWD talon, my freind zane in his 16G powered GST, paul in his 97 spyder and marquez in his eclipse. its not like we really all get a chance to "roll " together or "rep" our team, its more of like "hey were going to the track wed, wanna come" or "hey were doing a dsm bbq wanna come" sorta deal, where we can just hang out and talk shit about other cars and dream about future mods. no "these fools were talking mad shyt in their type r hatch, we should go gank his rims yo", or "this fool wants to run you, he has dadda dadda and says he can smoke your car"

"racing" teams that dont race are ghey
clubs are cool cause most clubs i know actually do something more than drive around town and try to do burnouts and look cool.