Among other on-screen depictions, The Fast and Furious movie series is probably considered the most popular movie based on the theme of American street racing culture. From the popularity of the movie franchise, the popularity of the racing culture itself can be determined. These races usually take place on quiet, lonely streets on the fringes of cities or in abandoned industrial complexes. Since these particles are deemed illegal, the racers plan each event meticulously to avoid any legal trouble.

Interestingly, the most prevalent drivers at street racing events are young males between the ages of 18 and 25, highlighting the sport's gender disparity. The racing culture as a whole has also given rise to the industry of automobile modifications and has also influenced, to an extent, the way automakers design their vehicles.

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The Formative Years: 1920 Onwards

1949 Mercury Featured In The Movie Rebel Without a Cause
Via Google/ BAMF Style

Street racing has a lengthy history that dates back to the 1920s and 1930s. This time is known as the prohibition era in American history, and one of the prohibitions was the buying and selling of alcohol. Although there were a couple of dry states, people were enthusiastic, and so were the suppliers. Likewise, there were certain speed limits for vehicles at that time, and police cars were no exception. Because of this, smugglers found a way to sneak alcohol by upgrading their cars for higher speeds and handling by tweaking the engine and suspension.

Smugglers carried alcohol from Canada to the dry states within the US, which required quick vehicles to avoid catching the eye of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission and federal authorities. Following WWII, the number of individuals having vehicles in the United States increased dramatically, and some of these drivers desired to drive quick machines and even race one another. The 1950s witnessed the full development of street racing. Before franchises like Fast and Furious came into existence, Hollywood recognized the craze of street racing through the movies like ‘Rebel Without a Cause’ in 1955. The film connected street racing with the strong anguish of youth and with the identity of manhood, followed by the 1978 movie ‘Grease.’

The Birth Of Stock Car And Drag Racing: 1950 Onwards

1950 NASCAR's Car
Via Google/ Cars Club

The idea of modifying cars spread like wildfire by the 50s. Safety, even in regular cars, was negligible then. Seatbelts were not introduced until 1955, and they were not standard until 1963. This was the same in the case of airbags and other safety measures, which were developed and standardized later in the automobile industry. As a result, unruly drivers sprinting their cars at a tremendous speed often resulted in fatal crashes causing casualties of drivers and spectators. It is also true that these races and race venues were often the hubs of illegal activities like gambling.

To improve the situation, the editor of Hot Rod magazine then, Wally Parks, founded the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) in California to promote ‘safety, sportsmanship, and fellowship’ among the street racers. Hot Rod Magazine and the National Hot Rod Association collaborated to persuade the general public, particularly the authorities, that there was a distinction between hot-rodders and irresponsible street racers, often known as ‘shot rodders.’ Auto shop teachers and garage owners were encouraged to generate awareness and liaison with the general public. This initiative received a warm welcome from authorities because they were struggling to control illegal street racers.

Even before the establishment of NHRA, Bill France Sr. and his son Jim France founded the National Association For Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) in 1948 in Florida. Prohibition on liquor was lifted in 1933, but the practice of upgrading cars persisted and developed as an integral part of rural American culture. NASCAR provided a safe and legal platform for these developers to show off their skills while generating a pan American fan base for racing in the process.

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The Era Of Upgrades: Marvels Of Automobile Engineering

Honda Civic Type R
Via Google/ Super Street Online

Any car's primary requirements for street racing are that it should be light, aerodynamic, and powerful. Modifiers take standard automobiles and increase their performance by tinkering with a variety of components. Techniques like installation of aftermarket turbochargers or the use of nitrous oxide to increase power output, and using smoothed exhausts with powerful cooling are common practices. To maintain maximum traction, racing slicks or studded tires are added for off-road rallies. The handling is improved by lowering the suspension that offers hard cornering while reducing the chances of rollovers.

The upgrades in cars were limited to engine displacement and carburetors until the 90s, but in the 2000s, the introduction of electronic fuel injection with turbochargers and superchargers changed the game. Further development in street racing was the introduction of comparatively cheaper Japanese cars in the US market. Racers tweaked these cars as per their requirements. Some of these cars, which eventually got famous in the process, are Toyota Supra, Mazda RX7, Acura Integra Type R, Honda Civic Type R, Toyota Mr2, and the Nissan GTR.

The Evolution: The Current Scenario Of Street Racing

Cars Lined up To Race
Via Google/ Robb Report

Even after the advent of NASCAR and NHRA, street racing is still a prohibited act in America. But that doesn’t stop race enthusiasts from burning their tires on secret racing tracks in different parts of the country. Infamous as ‘Hot Spots,’ These are locations where coordinated races are held, are well-organized, and have a predetermined schedule.

To prevent any detection, race organizers are said to track the GPS location of police vehicles and accordingly choose a place where the hovering of police is less. These hotspots for street racing are also famous for illegal gambling and subterranean gang activities. In the United States, two well-known hotspots for street racing are Southern California and Dallas. Apart from America, other famous hotspots are in Tokyo, Japan.

Across The Sea: The Japanese Street Racing Tradition

Japanese Street Racing
Via Google/ HotCars

Street racing in Japan is not any less popular than it is in America. Thanks to manga, anime, gaming, and even Hollywood, the drivers have inscribed themselves into folk law. The automobiles they drive have, over the ages, become cherished items that are extremely valuable not only in Japan but all around the world. It is as much a part of the worldwide automotive fraternity as NASCAR and Formula 1.

While American street racing is largely inclined to drag racing, which shows off maximum power and torque within a limited distance, Japanese street racers prefer longer routes were drifting through the highways, and mountain zigzags are possible. Japan’s famous midnight clubs are often associated with these races with their highly modified cars and skilled drivers.

The street racing tradition started with the illegal trafficking of liquor in America and now is almost a pivotal element of the national culture. Building and modifying cars to show off power and torque is not only a hobby anymore; folks can build a business out of their love for customizing automobiles. The formation of NASCAR and other professional racing platforms gave American street racing a refined form. However, it has not stopped the underground races, which are still equally, if not more, popular than their legal counterparts.