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Remember
When We Could
Cruise and Drag
As I was listening to our oldies station, they were
talking about the big June event in Modesto, with all the old cars,
music groups, car shows and cruisin down the main drag. For those of
you who don’t know Modesto is where the inspiration for American
Graffiti came from and that movie brings back memories for all of us
who love cars.
Between hearing the info on that event and reading about drag and
bracket racing, made me think back to my high school days, I know
amazing at my age that I can actually still remember them!
While no one ever condoned street racing we all know it took place.
Even more than street racing, I can remember spending all day
Saturday, washing, waxing, polishing and cleaning the inside of the
car so it was in tip shop shape Saturday night to cruise with.
For so many of us back then there were places to go and show off our
cars. We had streets to cruise on and show off our cars. And yes, we
also had those places where we drag raced them.
But we also had tracks you could go to and drag race on. I can
remember, Central Islip’s and National Speedway to name a couple.
Today’s car lovers don’t really have that luxury. Maybe some areas
of the country do, but here in California for the most part it is
gone. Not the tracks, but the ability for the average Joe to use
them for fun. The police here have curfews and don’t want any kind
of cruising activity to take place. Drags have been outlawed on the
roads, as well they should. However, the raceways (the ones that are
left), won’t even accommodate those who wish to drag race. They are
strictly for those with the big bucks and the big buck drag racing
cars.
What a shame, as I know of many kids who would love to have an
outlet or place to go to showoff their car and their skills as
drivers. Like so much else today, it is just another bastion we have
lost. Very sad to those of us who grew up in an era when all of this
and much more was available.
So for those of us who have the memories of what it used to be like,
be sure to share those with the youth around you today and let them
live vicariously through you.
We would love to hear your stories, drop us an email so we can put
yours up on the site today.
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