NHRA regulates off track behavior.........

[Alan Roehrich]

This is real simple. There were people appearing on the show with NHRA class designations and NHRA competition numbers prominently displayed on their cars, and using their real names. NHRA told them that it was unacceptable to do so. NHRA is well within their rights to do so.

The solution is real simple, too. If you want to appear on the show, simply remove all of your class designations and competition numbers, as well as your name on the car if it is there, and don't use your real name.

I don't often agree with a lot of things NHRA does, but this is well within their rights. They have a right to choose who and what their "brand" is associated with. Like it or not, the competition number and class designation is part of their "brand".

[HR9121]

Alan you hit it dead on.

[Bob Mulry]

WOW...........................

I would take the numbers off of the car, but I happen to own my name......

How about this being the first step.......

Get a DUI, no racing.....

Get into a chargeable accident, no racing...........

People just don't get it.......

Celebrities’ are PAID to maintain a public image and have contracts that demand it....

Has NHRA paid you or have you signed a contract to allow them to regulate your conduct away from the track and withhold money if they wish?????????????/

As for NHRA numbers.....What do IHRA and other --RA numbers look like....

Maybe NHRA should have sent an announcement out that if you appear on a show that has national attention (good or bad) that any connection with NHRA should be eliminated???????????/

Spit in the street and turn in your NHRA license....

All I can say is that the ones who get it, get it and the ones that don't, don't………

WOW

[Chris Barnes]

You have to have a valid driver's license to race so anything you do to lose that will keep you from racing.

[Alan Roehrich]

NHRA is an association that you join voluntarily, to participate in a hobby for your enjoyment. There are no "rights" associated with that, other than those you agree to when you sign up and pay your dues. Just like any other association of that type, they can tell you that they don't want you around based on your behavior. You do not have the "right" to make NHRA take your money, grant you membership, and allow you to compete.

If you think you have the "right" to force NHRA to accept you and your behavior regardless of their desires, you are the one who does not get it.

Again, if you think I'm a "fan boy" of NHRA, think again. I'm fairly well known for telling them exactly what I think, and where I think they are wrong, in person, on the phone, via email, and in public forums.

Oh, NHRA has nothing to gain from advertising on the show in question, and the last thing the show wants is to be "legitimized".

[Jared Jordan]

Well...the California Supreme Court has held that driving a motor vehicle on the public highways is a privilege, not a fundamental Constitutional right. I don't think you'll find too many lawyers that will argue with them about it. I don't know if other states are different, but I highly doubt it.

(Hernandez v. Department of Motor Vehicles (1981) 30 Cal.3d 70, 80–84, 177 Cal.Rptr. 566, 634 P.2d 917.)

[Bunkster]

The only thing worthy in “Street Outlaws” is the Farm Truck.



You gotta love the Farm Truck, and of course, Louise.

[Dwight Southerland]

This post may sound like it is off the point of this thread, but I want to do what I can to communicate the underlying points that I see are important.

First, all the talk about the Outlaws program being staged is not relavent. It doesn't matter if the events are staged, actual or cartoons, the legality of the activity being portrayed is not a question for any jurisdiction in the country as far as I know; auto racing on public streets is illegal, period. The fact that a media entertainment company can produce such programs is common. Heck, there is even a staged reality show about bootlegging and that is way over the top of any kind of illegal racing activity because it steps into federal jurisdiction, not just local or state. So, knowing that the racing activity is staged as entertainment is no more relavent to this discussion than saying that I portrayed a serial murderer in our community theater so I must be a murderer.

Secondly, the title of this thread mixes the issues. NHRA is not regulating anyone's behavior or even attempting to. NHRA has no authority to do that. Those guys can continue to play their roles on that TV program all they want. They can even participate in actual street racing as it is portrayed on that program if they want. But, they will then be subject to consequences imposed by organizations who do have authority to regulate their behavior. NHRA just does not want to be identified with people who do that.

Thirdly, NHRA does have the right to protect their purpose and reputation and that is what they are trying to do. In fact, a good argument could be made that they could be in legal trouble if they don't. Their organizational charter stipulates that one of their primary purposes is to provide a venue for drag racing in a legal, safe and controlled environment. If they stand by and allow members of their organization to do the exact opposite, then it can become a legal question whether NHRA is a purposeful organization or not.

Fourthly, all the talk about the jealousy of NHRA or the greediness of NHRA or the stupidity of NHRA is just distractions. We can all get emotionally charged when we form opinions concerning the intention behind people's actions, but the truth is that intentions seldom can be reduced to a single cause. Besides, if NHRA's purposes behind what they are doing in this case are just business related, they would not be addressing the racers.

Fifthly, do not put me on one side or the other of the "us against them" mentality. I am for protecting rights, both individuals and organizations. The "culture currents" that rule media and communications today seem to have blurred the lines (for their own benefit) between inalienable rights and protected behavior. As I said before, behavior is rarely a right. We have rights to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" within the framework of law that regulates the behavior we choose to exert those rights. When our behavior while exerting our rights steps on someone else's rights, then the law is the mediator. NHRA has the right to protect their organization. Those outlaws have the right to do their TV program. NHRA is seeing this program portraying NHRA and street racing as the same and that is their objection. Think of a member of PETA participating in a TV program about trophy buck hunting.

Maybe I have just muddied the waters more or stirred them again.

[The Hawk]

Originally Posted by Chris Barnes

You have to have a valid driver's license to race so anything you do to lose that will keep you from racing.

I`ve known people that were able to race without a state driver`s license but were able to compete due to a current NHRA Competition license. Not making that up.

[SS Engine Guy]

California Supreme Court? Real world....keep repeating that.....Real w o r l d.....