[Bownse]

Except that the Japanese didn't have much of a car culture prior to WW2 and their industry grew as a direct result of sales in the US. Europe's culture is one of classisistic car ownership (the upper crust had their cars while the average person used mass trans, bikes, or small displacement motorcycle/scooters).

So, in a way, the US car culture (that lead to Hot Rodders which birthed NHRA and Stock Car racing) really is at the root of world wide performance interest.

[gettlew]

A guy in a VW jetta pulled up beside to race this afternoon he had his window down talking smack and I told him he better go buy some more horsepower if he wants to run with the big boys.. His GF laughed and drove off.... Should have blown her a kiss and opened my passenger door

[ToeKutter]

Originally Posted by don2xsti

street racing me afraid, not worth it, danger danger.

Mrs. Swan?

[Toofast22]

Originally Posted by Bownse

Except that the Japanese didn't have much of a car culture prior to WW2 and their industry grew as a direct result of sales in the US. Europe's culture is one of classisistic car ownership (the upper crust had their cars while the average person used mass trans, bikes, or small displacement motorcycle/scooters).

So, in a way, the US car culture (that lead to Hot Rodders which birthed NHRA and Stock Car racing) really is at the root of world wide performance interest.

Agreed but there is still no connection between U.S. street racing and why the STi was made.

[chargedvette02]

Some kid in a Honduh hatch was trying to get me to race on the highway. He got up next to me and would take off over and over. I finally decided the next time he got up next to me to tap the gas in 4th gear. As soon as I got in front of him I hit the flasher and slowed down. He tried to get me to roll my window down but instead I kissed my pointer finger and hit the flashers again. He was sooooo mad, he was hanging out of his car flipping me off. Ahhhh, good times.

[Brushfire]

One of those I-300 things passed me on my commute. 60 miles 175 turns. no traffic-no cops. Minding my own business I was.
Rode his bumper easy. Layed off three corners and would then close up on him.
He had a set of balz, I'll give him that.
He took both lanes, I never left mine.
We reached the straights into town he was going at least 95 in a 55.
What a jackass. I smiled the rest of the day.

Killed by an EVO on a freeway from third gear. He jumped forward like a watermelon seed. Very impressive.

[Bownse]

Originally Posted by Toofast22

Agreed but there is still no connection between U.S. street racing and why the STi was made.

sure there is. performance is the goal no matter what motor sport. "how fast can you afford to go?" is the question posed to all who play.

[karleric]

Originally Posted by ChazzMichaelMichaels

Wait, do you have a stage 2 STI or WRX? If it's an STI you should be able to outrun a 335i (even if you were stock you could probably outrun him). Unless he had some kind of Dinan package or something. I managed to beat a 550i with that big 360HP V8 by a carlength.

It's an STI. I definitely felt like I could pass, but at the speeds we were at, stupidity had already overtaken too much of my logic.

[jermdeez]

Originally Posted by Toofast22

I agree with everything except the bolded text........doesn't make much sense. STi isn't made for street racing its a rally car.....and didn't even originate from here, therefore, having nothing to do with America's street racing roots.

Pretty simple. You know Japan would probably not have a car industry if it weren't for the US. Considering the design we had on Japans infrastructure you can imagine how much of an impact our cars/car culture had as well. Not too mention we were pioneers back then, fast fast cars. Seeing as how STI is one of Japans top perf cars, and as how we've had a huge effect on their performance cars as they have us..........It seems pretty simple to me. But you are right, I should have said without Americas street racing all of our cars would be back a few steps.

[Cr8zyJAP07]

i think european cars had more of an effect on sti's. Audi?