Timmah's Response....
Ms. Engebrecht:
Good Afternoon. I am writing to you in reference to this morning's article in your newspaper, in which the headline stated "18 Year Old charged in alleged drag racing". Being a licensed Drag Racer in the National Hot Rod Association, I take serious offense to this headline. Let me explain to you why. Although Merriam-Webster defines DRAG RACE as (noun): An acceleration Contest between Two Vehicles, the standard definition of Drag Racing can be found from this link to Wikipedia,
Drag racing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia as:
A drag race is an acceleration contest from a standing start between two vehicles side by side over a measured distance. The accepted standard for that distance is either a quarter-mile (1,320 feet) or an eighth-mile (660 feet). A drag racing event is a series of such two-vehicle, tournament-style eliminations. The losing driver in each race is eliminated, and the winning drivers progress until one driver remains.
This is the sport, that I was raised in, and the sport that provides me and my family with entertainment, and my source of income. This past weekend, the founder of the National Hot Rod Association, Mr. Wally Parks, passed away at the age of 94 years old. He lived his life, finding a way to provide facilities, and events for people to bring their cars out and "DRAG RACE", in a controlled, safe, and sanctioned environment. He, along with the support of local law enforcement in almost every city in our United States, did this under the umbrella of a Non-Profit Organization known as the NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION (NHRA). When the "Public" reads an article such as the one printed in your newspaper, they often assume that the person who committed this "CRIME" was affiliated in some way with people like me, or the 275,000 members of the NHRA, who have dedicated their lives to help prevent incidents like this to occur.
I understand that you are reporting information that was given to your office from the Law Enforcement Officers that were interviewed. I also understand that the LEGAL definition of DRAG RACING is:
"Drag racing" means the act of 2 or more individuals competing or racing on
any street or highway in this State in a situation in which one of the motor
vehicles is beside or to the rear of a motor vehicle operated by a competing
driver and the one driver attempts to prevent the competing driver from passing
or overtaking, either by acceleration or maneuver, or one or more individuals
competing in a race against time on any street or highway in this State.
However, I believe it to be responsible journalism to not only print the facts of who, what, where, and why, but also to insure that the correct terminology is used. The correct "TERM" that fits this crime is "STREET RACING", or "Exhibition of Speed". This person was Driving Recklessly and jeopardized several lives. However, he was NOT DRAG RACING, he was STREET RACING. Here is the definition of that term:
Street racing is a form of unsanctioned and illegal auto racing which takes place on public roads. Street racing can either be spontaneous or well-planned and coordinated. Spontaneous races usually occur at intersections where two cars stop at a red light before they begin racing.
Street racing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I take offense to the comparison of Drag Racing, and Street Racing. Our sport requires the support of Corporate Sponsorships. I have personally had meetings with Multi-BILLION dollar companies cancelled due to their misunderstanding of the Term of DRAG RACING. I was actually told by a Marketing Director of a Fortune 500 company, that "ALTHOUGH YOU ARE A VERY INTELLIGENT, WELL SPOKEN, ARTICULATE, and PASSIONATE Gentleman, our company can not in good faith support an activity that Risks lives on the street". This is a direct quote from the email that I received from their office. When I responded and properly started to educate them on the MAJOR differences they began discussions for sponsorship. This did not occur 10-20 years ago, this was Three Months ago! Their understanding of a DRAG RACE was unfortunately the Incident in Selmer, Tennessee, where a fellow Licensed Drag Racer Troy Critchley tragically lost control of his car during a Non Sanctioned Exhibition of his car on a public street. Here is a link to that story:
Aussie drag racer may face charges | NEWS.com.au
This is not a new fight for us real DRAG RACERS. It happens on a weekly basis, where the MEDIA reports incidents like what occurred in your city as a Drag Race. I am a proud member of both the NHRA and R.A.S.R. (Racers Against Street Racing). Our main objective is to get people off the Street and onto the Track! Articles like yours do not help our cause. I am hoping that you will print a retraction in your newspaper, and let the public know what occurred was a Street Race, and not a Drag Race. If not, I expect that you will refer to any future incidents like this, and what they truly are, Illegal Street Racing.
I thank you for your time, and wish you the best of luck in the future:
Timothy W. Charlet
Charlet Motorsports
NHRA COMPETITION LICENSE NUMBER 5636 Super Comp
