| Drivers have a number of options today when | | | | with twin roars. They were neck and neck until, right |
| deciding on performance enhancing parts for their | | | | on time, a siren was heard. Johnny was in the lead |
| vehicles. Performance chips, exhaust systems and | | | | and he just floored the gas and kept driving. But |
| countless other modifications compete for the | | | | because the Mustang guy had fallen behind, he was |
| performance enthusiast's attention. Before deciding | | | | forced to pull over and take the full consequences of |
| on any particular part, a driver should ask himself | | | | the law. |
| three questions: | | | | Unfortunately, this is not the end of the story. The |
| - Do I really need this part? | | | | Mustang guy saw Johnny a few weeks later and |
| - Can I afford this part? | | | | challenged him to a rematch. |
| - Will adding this part make me a more unsafe driver? | | | | Johnny agreed, and met his rival at a deserted |
| The last point may need further explanation... | | | | intersection at about 2 am. Due to the lateness of |
| My good friend Johnny Woo was obsessed with his | | | | the hour, they thought they would be able to race |
| car-a heavily modified Sti Racer. His car really was | | | | undisturbed. They faced off and traded insults. "Ricer" |
| very impressive and not just in the looks department. | | | | and "Redneck" were shouted many a time. Finally |
| It boasted a 4 cylinder, 16 valve turbocharged engine | | | | they climbed into their respective vehicles and lined |
| with an amazing 310 horsepower as well as 300 lbs | | | | up at an agreed starting line. A friend gave the signal |
| of torque. | | | | and they were off. Johnny pulled forward, but then |
| He had spent a small fortune in picking out | | | | suddenly lost control and spun wildly, crashing into a |
| components and parts and installing them himself. He | | | | light pole and ending the race. The Mustang owner |
| felt that this gave him an edge because he knew | | | | drove off in triumph, while Johnny lay in his car, quite |
| exactly what his car was capable of. | | | | dead. It was definitely a sad day, but also an |
| Needless to say, he felt like a king whenever driving | | | | important lesson on the dangers of street racing. For |
| it around and this sometimes got him into trouble. At | | | | just a battle of egos, a life was lost. |
| an intersection one day, he was waiting for the light | | | | So a driver nowadays needs to be smart. He should |
| to change when a Mustang pulled up next to him. | | | | only trust top quality components and resist the urge |
| The driver started revving his engine and taunting | | | | to show off in what could possibly be a very deadly |
| Johnny. He should have just kept his cool and let it | | | | manner. If racing is what a driver craves and there is |
| pass, but there is some ancient rivalry between | | | | no way he can live without zooming down a street |
| American muscle cars and import racers and Johnny | | | | to prove his manliness, he should research various |
| wasn't about to let this insult pass unchallenged. | | | | driving tracks in the local area and see if using any of |
| When the light turned green, the two cars were off | | | | these is an option. |