Proposed Amendment to Outlaw Drifting in Atlanta
by Nick Betz
First time I heard the residents surrounding Pomona Raceway were petitioning the city to stop the 1 weekend a month that allowed weekend warriors to come out to the track and drag race on one of the best strips in the country, I was crushed! Pomona is where I was bit by the performance bug. So many memories were created during those “simpler times”; endless wrenching with friends, early morning caravan wake-up calls, and the rush of blasting my car down the same strip the pros used. I used to live to drag race my Fox Body Mustang, but my monthly 4a.m. wake-up calls on the first Saturday of each month would be taken away much too soon. Why? Because of a noise ordinance.
A fucking noise ordinance! Mind you, Pomona Raceway is next to a small airport with Cessna’s flying in and out all day. It is also the venue for the NHRA Winter Nationals as well as the NHRA Finals. If they can run Top Fuel, why can’t I run my weekend warrior Mustang? All this made me wonder if there was another reason other than a “Noise Ordinance” that was keeping us away from the track.
Why am I writing about a local track that many of you might have not even heard of and a motorsport we don’t do much coverage on? Well the city of Atlanta is now picking a fight with another youth based motorsport and is trying to pass an amendment to their “Noise Ordinance” law 12-0-0502 (14). The amendment seems to be geared towards the “thugs” in drifting. However, it will have a much more wide sweeping effect, local parts distributors, hotels, restaurants, gas stations, convenience stores and many more businesses will be effected. Turner Field is also used as an event venue by many Auto Cross, Gymkana, and Automotive Dealer Test Drive Events. This makes me wonder, why the Drifters?
The idea that a city can just pass an amendment to a noise ordinance just to stop one group of automotive enthusiast but not another is straight out discrimination. Everyone; Drag Racers, Auto Crossers, Road Racers, and Drifters need to band together and sign the petition to veto the proposed amendment! Don't think for a second that this is going to stop with drifting. Whatever your motorsports passion is, it will be targeted! Let's show Atlanta that drifting is a world recognized motorsport with a large organized following looking for a safe environment to enjoy their passion.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION
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Be sure to follow the “Save Drifting in Atlanta” Facebook page to stay involved and find out what you can do to help to save the sport of Drifting! |
