Hot rodding is at risk! In the eyes of our opponents, we are unsafe and immature menaces on the roadways. Unfortunately, many involved in various branches of hot rodding provide our adversaries with graphic ammunition that helps to make their case against us.

This video found on Autoholics website of a high-performance truck being operated by high risk driver on one of the most challenging roads in Southern California is a perfect example of their argument against our existence. Fortunately, disaster did not strike in this instance. For not only was extreme tragedy and grief averted, but also because the evidence against us would have been that much more damning!

Our adversaries are serious, influential and well armed. Their strategy: Anything that contributes to our existence, such as access to racing facilities or modification to our vehicles for any reason, should be outlawed. And though they tolerate the few grand scaled racing events that appear in their regions, those are looked upon as corporate sponsored “entertainment” that generates revenue to their areas.

Participation in automotive competitions at the grassroots level is generally meant with disdain, unnecessary impediments or outright hostility.

I’ll admit that I have shredded more tires and disturbed greater peace than should’ve been done in five lifetimes. I am also sure that there is not one of us involved in this sport that has not behaved in a foolish way behind the wheel at some time or another! However our previous wrongs should be used as reminders to us and others of what we should do and how we should behave as automotive enthusiasts. We also need to remind our communities that what we do is beneficial to society. They need to understand that we promote public safety, education, craftsmanship and responsibility. There is too much at stake to do otherwise!