Ethnographyyyy!!!!

Life in the Fast Lane

Tires spinning, engines revving, loud music, and the spell of burnt rubber is in the air. This is what you would observe on a typical Friday night on the ave. You would think that boys are the only ones present on these nights, but don’t be fooled there are girls there as well. Most girls just ride around in their boyfriends’ car, like I do. But some actually participate in racing.

In this subculture it is not just one big group, it is broken up into two groups. The first group mostly just races for fun, and doesn’t take it too seriously. They also have mostly stock cars and some cars with aftermarket parts. But the second group is very much into racing, and takes it quite seriously. This group has the fastest and best cars.

Even though most of the kids aren’t bad, the cops always stop them even if they haven’t done anything wrong. Some people just get pulled over for their car being ‘too loud.’

Most of the types of cars you would see:

* · Honda
* · Volkswagen
* · Neon
* · Acura.

I’ve only observed the people in the groups a few times, but I’ve learned so much.

* · If you have an automatic and you try to race them, they will just laugh in your face. All they drive are 5-speed or 6-speeds, nothing else.
* · To increase engine power and efficiency you would install a cold-air or cool-air intake because it brings a lower temperature to the cars internal combustion engine.
* · Body-kits are seen a lot because it makes the car, even if it really doesn’t move fast, at least look like it moves fast.
* · Sound systems are sometimes seen because when they play their music they want the whole world to hear.
* · A turbocharger or turbos are a gas compressor that is used for forced-induction of an internal combustion engine. The purpose of it is to increase the density or air entering the engine to create more power.
* · Tight shoes are best to wear when racing or just driving a standard simply because it is easier to control the gas, clutch and brakes.

Conversations that would be heard:

* · What he/she is adding to their car next
* · The cars they have previously raced
* · Races they have won or lost
* · Run-ins with the cops
* · They suggest things to one another. Like if they should put something in their car or not.


In conclusion, being around these people can teach you a lot. I went from knowing next to nothing about cars to knowing all this good information. This is a very interesting subculture. Once you start observing them, you yourself would want to be part of the group. It is just one of those hobbies that are exciting, and when you learn something new you feel so proud of yourself. This is by far the most awesome subculture that I have heard of.