The Street Outlaws
reality T.V. show is like most reality T.V. shows these days: fake,
set-up, factually incorrect and basically silly. But for some reason
they have quite a fan base, somehow these reality T.V. shows get people
to tune in even if they know that the show is fake. The Street Outlaws
producers have even managed to get some licensed NHRA drivers to join in on the very dangerous and illegal act, but much to those racers surprise, the NHRA organization is not having it.
In the past week NHRA has sent out letters to licensed NHRA competitors to stop participating in the Street Outlaws reality T.V. show or be banned from the NHRA. There has been NHRA
racers that have been a part of the show and other racers that are
scheduled to show up on the show in coming episodes. But the NHRA
makes it very clear that they do not promote street racing of any kind
and if street racing is what you want to do, you can turn in your
license and go be a part of it.
I am in my early 30s now,
but spent a lot of my early 20s engaging in the dangerous act of street racing in the Detroit Michigan area. I for one know first hand what you
see on the Street Outlaw reality T.V. show is very fake, produced,
set-up and in some sense it actually makes street racing look less
dangerous than it really is.
When
I talk real street racing, I'm not talking about some back road that has been safely banned for any thru traffic except for T.V. show members and crew. I'm talking about spectators on both sides of the road
all the way down to the finish line. Thru traffic always a possible
obstacle – potholes, curbs, trees, telephones poles, the unsuspecting
drunk driver – all dangers to a driver with a car that in most cases is
not fully safety equipped to handle a high-speed wreck.
I
would honestly like to say I have never seen anyone injured or killed,
but I can't tell you either way. When something bad happens, the automatic reaction for everyone is to get to your vehicle and get the hell out of dodge. Even if a man is trapped inside a burning vehicle,
the best thing you can do for him is call 9-1-1 as you are making your getaway. It's sad, but it's true, there's no “No Man Left Behind” when you are engaging in illegal activity.
Another thing that the Street
Outlaws Reality T.V. show portrays is the harmless changing hands of money. Sure, when it is all set up for T.V., it's not a problem. But in real life, $3,000-$4,000 is a lot of money to hand over. That kind of money changing hands promotes arguments, fights, brawls, and even murder,
that's right, murder. Bruised egos and illegal money sends people over the edge, add in a few drinks, a few puffs on the sweet marijuana, and a crowd of encouraging spectators, it doesn't take much to feel compelled to protect that ego.
I
have since hung up my street racing helmet and headed to the track for
some safe fun. I encourage everyone to do the same. The Street Outlaws
Reality T.V. show is just that, a T.V. show. Real street racing is
dangerous to yourself, for the spectators, innocent people who are
clueless to what you are doing and on top of it all, if you get caught
illegally gambling and racing, say goodbye to your driver license for a
while and possible jail time.
