Sample Movie Review On The History Of Drag Racing

Drag racing refers to a form of motor racing where automobiles and motorcycles prepared for the task, two at a time, to cross the finish line first. The race uses a short and straight strip from start, over a measured distance. The most frequently used distance includes the quarter mile range of Nitro methane powered vehicles. The competitors use electronic timing and speed sensing systems to record race results. The origin of drag racing could have started on the dry lake bed. Racers congregated since the early 1930s and raced at speeds of up to 100 mph.
In the early 1940s, the people had many automobiles around, especially the earlier models of the ford T-models. The people of Southern California used the vehicles because of their cheapness and also readily available for use. The many cars that existed gave incentive for the generation of that time to start racing. The knowledge gained during the world war two in making devices was applied in the making of race cars. The people who made the cars would spend most of their time in the garage making and redesigning the cars.
The automobile car enthusiasts wanted cars that looked fast and fast on the tarmac. The individuals engaged in random street racing for the fun of it and had nothing to do with money. However, in the early years of street racing, the racers would place bets on their cars and the winner would take all. The two racers could use divided lanes into the streets.
In 1937, the Southern California Timing Association was formed with the obligation organizing events, which separated racing automobiles into classes and introduced the use timing equipment. The association created some order in the random and illegal street racing. People came from more than a hundred miles from Los Angeles as racers and spectators. Drag racing was legal only in Los Angeles that attracted people from other states.
Parents, law enforcement authorities and the print media disliked the racing and showed the negative aspects of the event. The print media only focused on the accidents caused during drag racing. The fears expressed by the various concerned parties became real when Bruce Blair and Danny lost their lives while racing.
The bad image created by the media forced some individuals to put effort in legitimizing the event. One of the pioneers included Bob Jenkins Many who wanted to legitimize the racing. Bob Jenkins is another pioneer who created the Santa Barbara Acceleration Association in 1949.The organization added coordination in the racing event. It did not charge entry fees to racers and spectators. Anybody could race with their own vehicles, but they did not use any safety equipment. Racers used a quarter mile stretch and the car that hit the first bump determined the winner. Converted areas for aircrafts served as racing tracks. The sport became a spectator event where individuals, families and couples attended to spend time together and watch the races.
Bob Jenkins may have organized the first race, but Frank, Hart and Hunter developed the drag racing further. The three individuals organized the races, using official timing equipment, charging entry fees and giving prizes to the winners.
For their first race, fifty five automobiles raced in front of a spectator gathering of over three hundred people. The organizers charged fifty cents for entry and the charged racers two dollars. The winners won a trophy worth ten dollars that seemed like an investment to the racers. The event got larger as many people attended from Orange County, San Diego and Santa Barbra. The expanding reputation seen in the event made the racers to change the design of the cars and move the engine back in order to increase the speed of the cars. The racers wanted an automobile that could make them accelerate faster than the previous models.
In the year 1951, Wally Parks established the National Hot Rodders Association, which acted as the organizing body of the drag racing events. The body created more order in the sport and even formulated the laws of the sport. Robert Peterson, the publisher of the first publication of a drag racing magazine known as the Hot Rod Magazine, invited Wally Park to act as an editor. Being the editor of a magazine enabled Wally Park to make the sport and also the National Hot Rodders Association have positive public image.
The association realized that the racers did not use safety equipment while racing, did not have insurance to protect themselves, cars and spectators and lacked skills to organize the events. The association developed the Safety Safari that travelled around the country to change the negative things associated with the event. For instance, the unit taught hot rod clubs on how to have their own races, how to sell tickets and classify racing automobiles. The efforts improved the image of the sport and more people and entities got involved. Sponsors such as Coke and Pepsi helped racers build their cars and organize racing events.
Drag racing transformed into a full time career for most of the racers. The racers could race for three consecutive nights despite obtaining little earnings. Speed equipment manufacturers and engine builders like Ken Brian, Jim Nelson and Keith Black, turned their hobbies into professions. The NHRA made a tour to England and made exhibition races to increase the popularity of the sport. The drag racing team in Europe included Don Garlits, Tony Nancy, Montgomery, Buddy Martin, Bill Jenkins, and Dave Strickler. The team used two vehicles from the five different classes of racing cars.
In conclusion, drag racing has evolved from the illegal street racing in the 1940s to a legitimate sport with worldwide spectators and participants. The efforts put by the various individuals have assisted in developing the sport and creating new rules to ensure the wellbeing of the people involved.