Is racing elitist? Can it be socialized?

[checkered]

You mean Checkered's idea/suggestion.

Well, actually

the idea for organized micro loans (microfinance, to be accurate) originates from 2006 Nobel prize winner Muhammad Yunus and his Grameen foundation. Great, great stuff, and well worth researching. For example, a much larger portion of micro loans are paid back in full than what is the case with "traditional" financing! So, I'm just "spreading the word" and wondering whether the concept could be applied here, too.

http://www.grameenfoundation.org/welcom ... mad_yunus/

[Ciro Pabón]

Well, boys and girls, thank you very much.

This is to say that yesterday I had a meeting with a couple of honchos (Highway Police, National Insurance Association, Racing Track Owners) and to my surprise, next Thursday we will have the first drag race for illegals at the "immortal and sacred" Tocancipá's Racing Track, home of JPM.

I contacted today the "representatives" of the illegal racers and they agreed. I will post some pictures, if I can fix my camera. We will have policemen (they will race too!), ambulance and insurance. The track will charge a nominal fee (a mere 3 U$) for each try.

I will distribute some questionaires to these racers, to try to prove that there is a relation between track training (or its lack of training) and accidents.

The rest of your ideas will be tried during the second semester of this year. Actually, the representative of the Ministry of Education (who happens to be my brother) was not very enthusiast.

You rule. Thanks again, guys (and gals).

[Carlos]

From today's newspaper - "York Region police officers who have charged 550 drivers with street racing in the past six weeks are urging the court to " do there job" and impose stiffer sentences on street racers" ...." " impromptu banzai races" such as the alleged race that claimed the life of trucker David Virgoe on Highway 400 on Monday. Three men face 11 charges relating to the crash." Yesterday Attorney-General Micheal Bryant threatened to "crush" the cars of street racers and said that police could seize vehicles even before they have raced."

[DaveKillens]

Carlos, they are getting very serious, even Draconian. But then again, the irresponsible actions of a small few have resulted in deaths of innocents. Here in Ontario, street racing is in for a very hard time, as reflected in the new bills. http://gateway.ontla.on.ca/bills/bills- ... b122_e.htm
In fact, at this moment, it is illegal to have nitrous bottles in a street car.

I've always been aware of the differences between social responsability and racing. Sadly many aspects of racing are selfish and irresponsible, and contribite little to a positive social fabric apart from bringing people together in a common experience.
It takes a lot of money to develop into a professional driver, something the normal person is unable to achieve. It's a financial elitism, happily distinct from intellectual or social snobbery.

Ciro, it's a good thing you are doing, hopefully educating street racers on the foolishness of doing their thing on the street instead of a proper track. I support you and wish you total success on this difficult journey.

[Belatti]

just for the records...

1- in my country you can go with your road car to a racetrack and use it, paying a rental

2- if you cant race because of no funds, just study something that can get you close to car racing

I agree with: "government screws up everything"

[Carlos]

Belatti - After reading your post on the thread - " Speeding Not Sexy At All" I was about to recommend this thread - but you found it before I could - our thoughts are similar.

Welcome to the forum Belatti.

[Ciro Pabón]

Belatti, Carlos, I guess you went to a private school and have private doctors. Glad to have rich friends...

Here are some photos of the first "big government" illegal-legal race... best time: 9.953, new national record.







Sometimes small things seem big.

[Belatti]

Ciro, in my coutry Hospitals are free of charge for everyone, and I study Mechanical Engineering in UTN (Universidad Tecnologica Nacional) -que de tecnologica no tiene mucho, pero al menos es gratuita-

I´m not rich, but if I want, I can go with 30USD and driving license to BsAs racetrack (where we used to host F1 races 10 years ago.... THOSE YEARS WHEN MY PASSION WAS BORN!!!) and run with my POOR AND OLD 1996 Fiat Uno 1.4 in the circuit or the 1/4mile without killing anyone!

Ciro, por favor, trata de interpretar mejor hermano!!!

[Carlos]

Ciro - May I offer congratulations on a successful race day. Your project bears fruit. Under 10 seconds - Very quick for " big government " Looking forward to the programs future growth. That first picture is a Chevy Belair; I think

Rich? - Well - Enriched by friendship - definitely

[Ciro Pabón]

Sorry, Belatti, I was making a joke, ché. I know Carlos, he is the opposite of a snob, I knew he wouldn't mind me calling a rich guy (which is not THAT bad, after all). I shouldn't have mentioned you in the same joke. Sorry again and BTW, a warm welcome.

Thanks, Carlos. Another Orwellian scheme that triumphs. Next in the list is world domination AND compulsory racing!

Yes, that car used to be a Belair, but now is what I would call a "Belricer"... I would feel MUCH safer (and my eyes would be more relaxed) if that almost undrivable behemoth and its color-blind owner are kept at a track (for life, preferably).

[Carlos]

Yes a pleasure to be among such splendid company ...

[Belatti]

OK Ciro, no problem, I have some kind of acid sense of humor, but I´m a newbie and it will take me some time till I get to know you all...

Thanx for the welcome, Carlos, Ciro