P-Town Accident

[BLU CIVIC]

This is where i usually hang out. I didn't know about it till yesterday. I was planning on going out there that weekend, but I didn't have any gas money. guess i'm happy i didn't go. always a few bad apples that spoil the bunch b/c people don't race out there b/c police are always out there and since the area is cool, we're not trying to get booted out og the lot, people usually make plans to race on some street about a mile from the lot. I tell you.....retarded people

http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories...6593&ran=42881

Bystanders at drag race hit by out-of-control car


By JANIE BRYANT, The Virginian-Pilot
© July 8, 2003

PORTSMOUTH -- Five bystanders were injured, one seriously, after a driver lost control of his car early Sunday and careened into a crowd during a drag race.

The accident took place about 1:45 a.m. in an old shopping center parking lot on Airline Boulevard that has become a hangout for young people interested in souped-up cars.

Lenny Grossmann, 26, of Norfolk, said he was standing in the lot talking to a friend when he heard screeching.

``I turned my head just in time to see things flying in the air,'' he said Monday. ``At first I thought it was a trash can. I didn't want to believe they really hit people.''

The driver got out of his car, screaming and hysterical, he said.

Police did not release names of the drivers who were racing, and an investigation continues.

An 18-year-old Virginia Beach driver in a black Mazda RX-7 hit the people, said David Dempsey, police spokesman. No charges had been filed against the man by Monday evening.

The driver of the other car -- a gold Honda Civic -- left the scene, Dempsey said.

Police also did not release the name of an 18-year-old Chesapeake man who was listed in critical condition at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

Three of the injured people were treated at Portsmouth and Norfolk hospitals and released. Another walked away from the scene, Dempsey said.

When officers arrived, about 50 cars were there. As many as 300 to 500 people have congregated in the lot in front of an empty building that used to house an Ames store, Dempsey said.

Grossmann said he sees people from Norfolk, Virginia Beach and the Peninsula at the Airline Boulevard location. Most visit to talk to friends, check out the cars and set up dates to go to legitimate race tracks, he said.

A few people speed or do ``burn-outs'' in the parking lot, but he said it's frowned upon and considered showing off.

Grossmann said he has seen police monitor the gatherings from across the street.

About three months ago, officers confiscated eight cars and arrested seven people suspected of drag racing, Dempsey said. Most were charged with reckless driving.

Around the country, young drivers have gathered for years to rev up engines and show off their cars.

But "The Fast and the Furious'' movie series, including a sequel now in theaters, appears to be attracting a new generation of risk-takers. The action movies are packed with hot cars and street racing.

While drag racing has been around as long as cars, Dempsey said, it has become more noticeable in Portsmouth in the past year. Other cities have had similar problems.

When young people copy the things they see in movies, he said, ``they don't understand those are all stunt drivers that do this for a living, and it's under a very controlled environment.''

Sung Kim, 18, of Newport News, launched a Web site, www.dragva.com, about a year ago. The site was buzzing Monday with comments about the weekend incident.

Most offered prayers for the victims and lamented the recklessness.

Kim said he has been to the Airline Boulevard location, though he said he usually finds his friends at similar hangouts on the Peninsula.

Kim said a lot of people talk about wanting a sanctioned race strip in the area. He said people are quick to blame the fascination with street racing on Hollywood.

``I personally say there were a lot of people that were into this sort of scene way before the movie came out,'' he said. ``But I think the movie did do its fair share in bringing out a lot of the younger kids.''

[blasian_man]

damn is it really that funnY? hey blu do you know the people that were invovled?

[Self]

Ringo...Nothing about that was funny. Your post was both callous and worthless, and was entirely inappropriate.
BLU, like he said, did you know anyone involved? That's horrible. Like you said, there are always a few people who ruin the fun for the group. And in this case it almost turned deadly

[BLU CIVIC]

i don't think i knew anyone that was involved....there's usually a black 93 RX-7 that has over 500rwhp out there.....thought it was him...but i doubt it cause he looked over 18 and seemed smater than that

[Ringo]

Originally posted by Self
Ringo...Nothing about that was funny. Your post was both callous and worthless, and was entirely inappropriate.
BLU, like he said, did you know anyone involved? That's horrible. Like you said, there are always a few people who ruin the fun for the group. And in this case it almost turned deadly

difference of opinion my colored friend, difference of opinion.

[Self]

Originally posted by Ringo


difference of opinion my colored friend, difference of opinion.

True...And my opinion says you're banned.

[YogsVR4]

Damn - its always sad to hear when bystanders are hurt by the stupidity of others. I hope the injured recover and charges are filed on the drivers.

[High Octane]

its sad to hear of people getting hurt in the sport of racing, or in anything that is.

BUT its even sadder to see people like ringo

[RACER D12]

Well they took that risk when they decided to watch the race! Also everyone is hating on the driver till YOUR the driver. Most likely if you are posting on this forum you are a street racer, so who is to say that the same thing could not happen to you! And dont give me that "I dont race with people around" bull shit. You never know if some one is around and im sure if you think about some of your past races you will see that people were around who you could have hurt. And if not what about the person you were racing? Hurting them would be just as bad. Now im not against street racing I love it, but dont act like this guy is a total loser because again that "loser" could be you!

[GTStang]

Originally posted by Self


True...And my opinion says you're banned.

About Time!!!!! Good Job

[Jimster]

Gah- it always irritates me when some moron with a high powered RWD car can't control it and ends up taking out people and endangering thier lives- also people who dn't know that FWD cars understeer are just as bad- thats how my XR8 got written off

[Polygon]

I am just glad that nobody was killed as a result.

[76_cobra]

Originally posted by GTStang


About Time!!!!! Good Job

I agree wholeheartedly that guy desered to be banned.

[BLU CIVIC]

Originally posted by RACER D12
Well they took that risk when they decided to watch the race! Also everyone is hating on the driver till YOUR the driver. Most likely if you are posting on this forum you are a street racer, so who is to say that the same thing could not happen to you! And dont give me that "I dont race with people around" bull shit. You never know if some one is around and im sure if you think about some of your past races you will see that people were around who you could have hurt. And if not what about the person you were racing? Hurting them would be just as bad. Now im not against street racing I love it, but dont act like this guy is a total loser because again that "loser" could be you!

the thing is that everyone goes out to the lot to showcase their car and to hang out....noone races in the lot because we're not tryin to get put out...that's why they make arrangements to race elsewhere....but stuid and careless people do stupid and careless stuff

[RACER D12]

ok I see but still if I saw they were getting ready to race I would have gotten outta their. And not just because I dont want to get hurt but cant you be arrested for watching?