The decade of the 1950s witnessed the full rise of street racing which was popularized by Hollywood films like “Rebel Without a Cause” (1955), which linked street racing to the intense anguish of young culture. This mingling of opposing subcultures reached its zenith with the release of the blockbuster film “Grease” in 1978, which had an explosive sequence set in a street racing.
The origins of contemporary street racing in the United States may also be traced back to Woodward Avenue in Michigan in the 1960s. At that time, the three most important American automobile manufacturers were located in Detroit, and they were developing high-powered performance automobiles. Due to the fact that there wasn’t always access to a private racing location, illegal street races would take place on public roadways.
It peaked in popularity during the golden age of hot rodding in the 1960s, muscle vehicles in the 1970s, and Japanese imports in the 1980s. The history of street racing is not limited to the fast and furious era. Since then, it has maintained its status as both a popular and risky activity, with fatalities annually among onlookers, passengers, and drivers.
Not that all street racing events can be linked to gambling, but the history of street racing reveals that in every event, there is some illegal gambling running. Bets are often placed on the outcome of street races by both the competitors and the spectators. The majority of bets made on street racing are the consequence of personal fights and disputes that are resolved while racing on the street. The winner of the race will get cash and may potentially be awarded the car that was driven by their rival.
This kind of competition is known as “racing for pinks,” and the winner gets to retain the car that came in second place as a prize. This racing motif served as part of the inspiration for an original series on the Speed Channel called “Pinks,” in which competitors compete for the possession of vehicles.
The 1950s saw the beginning of the formation of localized communities of car clubs which take a huge part of the history of street racing. People who have interests and passions related to automobiles in common joined together to form car clubs. The members of these clubs were given the apt moniker of “Greasers” when they first came into existence. The purpose of a car club was straightforward: to become well-known among the other vehicle clubs in the area.
According to the History of Car Clubs, a large number of clubs were known for “choppin’, channeling, blazing, and strippin’ vehicles,” which earned them the nickname “Hot Rods.” In order for club members to display their most valued belongings, automobile clubs often construct drag strips, have cruise night events, and organize meetups.
The history of street racing is filled with the deaths of both spectators and drivers. Both the drivers and the spectators put themselves in harm’s way when they participate in street racing. There is also a question over whether or not it is allowed to race high-performance automobiles on public roads. The vast majority of street racing vehicles do not have roll cages or any other additional safety equipment. The majority of drivers have never competed in a professional race and have no formal training. In addition, the general driving population is not ready to deal with and steer clear of unplanned street racing. This makes it more likely that there will be incidents and accidents that result in fatalities.
Wherever street races are staged, the roadways and private property in the area may be subjected to significant amounts of wear and tear. This might imply that government dollars will have to be used to fix things like pavement and asphalt, as well as fences. It’s not uncommon for hotspots for street racing to serve as dens of illicit gambling, where millions of dollars are wagered every day. This might result in an increase in the amount of gang activity and vehicle thefts.
The underground criminal elements of gambling and street gangs are shown in even the most prominent Hollywood films that depict street racing. The law enforcement agency has a policy of zero tolerance for illicit street racing. Nearly everywhere where drag racing is popular, breaking the law may result in significant fines, time in jail, and even the confiscation of the car.