The Torque of the Town

13 May, 2005

By Siyabonga Maphumulo

They are referred to by a variety of names - ‘speed freaks’, ‘road hogs’ or ‘the fast and the furious,’ and their favourite night time activity is every law abiding citizen’s worst nightmare.

In the tradition of Hollywood box office hits like Gone in Sixty Seconds or Days of Thunder, or the popular computer car racing game Need for Speed, Durban’s streets are converted into high speed racing tracks by night. The only difference is, this is no movie or arcade game, the hazards are real and there certainly aren’t any age restrictions. Drag racing, to some of Durban’s youth, has fast become what an engine is to a car – an indispensable necessity.

When our reporter visited ‘The White House’ in Phoenix, one of the favourite meeting places for dragsters, the place was littered with cars of every description. A few were the latest models, but most were converted older vehicles. According to Kevin Singh, a Joburger in his mid-20s, it’s not about driving a fancy car, but rather about having a passion for cars in general. Pointing to a brightly painted 1400 Nissan bakkie, he speaks almost boastfully, “You see this beauty? It’s a 1989 model but I guarantee you it can chow (outrun) many of the later models.” Singh’s claims are substantiated later, when the ‘beauty’ in question makes a 1995 model BMW M3 resemble a donkey cart. Those in the know say that the winning formula is having the right conversions on your car. These range from a branch manifold system to a free-flow exhaust system, turbo charger, side drafts, racing pistons and racing cams.

As passionate as the drivers are about their ‘sport,’ they all seem reluctant to see drag racing legalised. Responding to a comment that plans are afoot to legalise the races, which would mean all racing would be conducted at First Avenue in Greyville, Arvin Moodley, a spectator replies, “No, legalising the event would not be much fun as it would have authority behind it. We like to have lookouts for the police, as it adds to the adrenaline rush associated with drag racing.”

But, according to the Metro Police’s Alex Wright, illegal drag racing is not only a danger to other motorists, but also a major disturbance to eThekwini residents. “We are totally against drag races for a number of reasons, one of which is the fact that the cars used for these events are highly modified and do not conform to the Road Traffic Act,” says Wright. “The noise factor is also highly problematic. “Insurance companies have approached us on a number of occasions concerning drag racing,” he continues. “They have been quick to pick up on the fact that people who race illegally are high risk clients.”

Meanwhile, back at the races on Inanda Road, a small boy - who looks around six years old - claps frantically as a Subaru WRX STI whizzes past at breakneck speed, followed closely by a Mercedes E55 AMG Kompressor.

*Important Note

The publication of this article on eThekwini Online does not in any way condone or endorse drag racing. EThekwini Online is fully supportive of safe driving practices. This article has been published because drag racing does occur in Durban. Readers need to be aware of this, and form their own opinions.

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