Guys,
I am actually working against the legalization of street racing. Having had a bad experience myself, I refuse to race anymore, and I am trying to use this speech to present to others just how dumb it can be. Ill post what I have as a speech so far...here it is.
I. I want you to imagine that you have spent hundreds to thousands of dollars on making your car the fastest it can possibly be.
a. Now I want you to imagine that one night, you are driving the strip with some friends, when you come to a halt at a red light.
i. Suddenly, another vehicles pulls up next to you. You glance towards the car next to you when you notice that the other driver begins to rev his engine. You think to yourself I can do this, that driver has nothing on me and my car. Your friends begin to compel you on, yelling words of encouragement. You rev your engine in response, and wait for the chance to rocket off the line.
ii. The light goes green, and youre off! Both cars are evenly matched, yet it seems like your car might have the winning edge. Your car starts to pull on your opponent, slowly but surely, and as you reach 100 miles an hour, you see your opponents car drop back far in your rear view mirror. You begin to flash your hazards as a sign of victory, and your friends let out a cheer of support. A few minutes later, you stop at the next red light down the road, waiting for your last opponent to pull up and acknowledge your car. The feeling of accomplishment and success is incredible, and the adrenaline rush just wont end.
b. Today, a good number of Americas youth participate in a pastime just as popular as some college sports street racing. Though its illegal and dangerous, many of todays youth cant resist the rush.
i. According to the Microsoft Encarta College Dictionary, a race is a contest of speed, where two or more persons compete against each-other to reach a destination first. However, street racing has a much more specific, un-listed definition. To me, street racing is a sport, much like college level football or baseball. Racers compete as part of a team, and that racing team travels across the state to compete against other teams.
ii. Now, of course like any sport, street racing is dangerous. It involves many factors that can either result in an incredible racing experience, or a tragedy. For an example, I will use the case of a high school student who often raced in Richmond, Virginia.
iii. This racer we are about to hear about owned a 2002 Mazda Protege5. One morning he was cruising down Patterson Avenue in Richmond, when he pulled up to a stop light next to a purple Honda Civic in the left hand lane. When the light turned green, the two began to race. In the beginning, the Civic took the lead, but towards the end it appeared that the Mazda might pull ahead. Well, for whatever reason, the Mazdas driver decided it was time to pull off from the race, so he decelerated and began to turn to the right. The turn was, however, sharper than the driver anticipated, and as a result the Mazda impacted a curb at roughly 50 miles per hour. The Mazdas left wheel was hit on the actual side of the rim, shoving the wheel hard up into the cars fender. The wreck did not stop here however. The Mazda continued to roll across a persons lawn, down and off another curb before coming to a stop quite a ways down the street, just short of an oak tree. The car was pretty torn up, and it would be determined later than the cars repairs would easily exceed $2000.
iv. Needless to say, I know the driver was quite angry, as I was the driver. I lost my car for two months, was required to pay for every cent of the repairs, and thanks be to God that I managed to also remove myself from receiving a reckless driving ticket. After looking back on such an experience, I can honestly say that any racing I might do not will most likely be saved for the track. If we look at this display (VISUAL AID), we can see some of the exterior damages inflicted on the vehicle. After the wreck, I was able to talk to the insurance company and have them help me invest on a new set of wheels.
II. Now I wish I could say that this accident was a rare occurrence, but more and more people seem to be involved in wrecks concerning street racing. Thank god that no one was hurt in my experience, but more and more people are being hurt in street racing. According to my survey of 100 people, 46 have actually participated in an intentional or unintentional competition between two vehicles on a public road.
a. According to an article by Kevin Ketchen in Faze Magazine, racers follow a code of sorts. This code directs them to never race on busy streets, day or night, especially if there is a school in the area. Use common sense, and never race on an unfamiliar road. If all racers follow this code, then why do todays youth keep ending up injured or dead?
i. My father, Joseph Ellis, is a judge for the Commonwealth of Virginia and states that its because cars are weapons, and if you do not know how to control your weapon properly, you could kill yourself or someone else. He also thinks that many of todays drivers lack the experience necessary to be racing.
b. My father also points out that in many places, racing means losing your license for up to two years, serving a jail sentence and having your car confiscated. I dont know about you guys, but thats all I need to hearIm not about to lose my car for an indefinite adrenaline rush.
i. Today, even the entertainment industry has focused on this popular American dream-the have the fastest car on the streets and to be respected by all. In the past it was movies like American Graffiti, and today its movies like The Fast and the Furious.
I have alot to say as always....
