| Drivers have a number of options today when | | | | off with twin roars. They were neck and neck |
| deciding on performance enhancing parts for their | | | | until, right on time, a siren was heard. Johnny was |
| vehicles. Performance chips, exhaust systems and | | | | in the lead and he just floored the gas and kept |
| countless other modifications compete for the | | | | driving. But because the Mustang guy had fallen |
| performance enthusiast's attention. Before | | | | behind, he was forced to pull over and take the |
| deciding on any particular part, a driver should ask | | | | full consequences of the law. |
| himself three questions: | | | | Unfortunately, this is not the end of the story. |
| - Do I really need this part? | | | | The Mustang guy saw Johnny a few weeks later |
| - Can I afford this part? | | | | and challenged him to a rematch. |
| - Will adding this part make me a more unsafe | | | | Johnny agreed, and met his rival at a deserted |
| driver? | | | | intersection at about 2 am. Due to the lateness of |
| The last point may need further | | | | the hour, they thought they would be able to |
| explanation… | | | | race undisturbed. They faced off and traded |
| My good friend Johnny Woo was obsessed with | | | | insults. "Ricer" and "Redneck" were shouted many |
| his car-a heavily modified Sti Racer. His car really | | | | a time. Finally they climbed into their respective |
| was very impressive and not just in the looks | | | | vehicles and lined up at an agreed starting line. A |
| department. It boasted a 4 cylinder, 16 valve | | | | friend gave the signal and they were off. Johnny |
| turbocharged engine with an amazing 310 | | | | pulled forward, but then suddenly lost control and |
| horsepower as well as 300 lbs of torque. | | | | spun wildly, crashing into a light pole and ending |
| He had spent a small fortune in picking out | | | | the race. The Mustang owner drove off in |
| components and parts and installing them himself. | | | | triumph, while Johnny lay in his car, quite dead. It |
| He felt that this gave him an edge because he | | | | was definitely a sad day, but also an important |
| knew exactly what his car was capable of. | | | | lesson on the dangers of street racing. For just a |
| Needless to say, he felt like a king whenever | | | | battle of egos, a life was lost. |
| driving it around and this sometimes got him into | | | | So a driver nowadays needs to be smart. He |
| trouble. At an intersection one day, he was | | | | should only trust top quality components and |
| waiting for the light to change when a Mustang | | | | resist the urge to show off in what could possibly |
| pulled up next to him. The driver started revving | | | | be a very deadly manner. If racing is what a |
| his engine and taunting Johnny. He should have | | | | driver craves and there is no way he can live |
| just kept his cool and let it pass, but there is | | | | without zooming down a street to prove his |
| some ancient rivalry between American muscle | | | | manliness, he should research various driving |
| cars and import racers and Johnny wasn't about | | | | tracks in the local area and see if using any of |
| to let this insult pass unchallenged. | | | | these is an option. |
| When the light turned green, the two cars were | | | | |