This presentation was done for my Race and Ethnicity in American Literature course. The purpose of the assignment was to pick a topic of personal interest and discuss the racial and/or gender bias in the chosen topic.

1. Bias in the World of
Underground Street
Racing
By Emmanuel Crawford

2. History of Street Racing

3. History of Street Racing
• Started after WWII by to two GI’s who worked on engines in the
military for fun and to adjust back to society
• Became popular in other countries and they added their own twist
(drag, drifting, circuit) along with the performance improvements
• Races were used to settle disputes between gang related disputes
• Drifting entered the scene from Japan
• Popularized by the Fast and Furious Franchise and Initial D
• Often meet at organized Car Meets

4. Demograohic Differences

5. Demographic Differences
• Began in the US; popular among white, then hispanic
males and a select few females
• Japanese style drifting was introduced the scene
• Each country thought their style was the best contributing
to rivalries between gangs of various ethnic backgrounds
• Racial gangs would race to settle disputes and determine
who was “king of the streets.” Especially in Japan
• No Good Racing, Mid Night Club, Rising Suns, etc…

6. Street Racing Today

7. Street Racing Today
• Diverging from racial differences
• A place for people to show off their cars; “Park and Chill”
• Becoming a “family friendly” environment
• Often takes place at night
• Races are often held away from traffic and pedestrians
• Often include racing for a “pot”
• Less gang related and more ego or passion driven

8. Discussion Questions
• How do you think the founders of racing would feel about
their favorite past-time being used to settle gang related
issues and turf wars?
• Do you think that the future of underground street racing
will be ramped or free of racial and territorial disputes?

9. Sources
• http://www.angelfire.com/pa5/racesafepa/history.html
• https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/big-question-why-arent-there-more-women-in-
motorsport
• https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja
&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjCho_J-
MjdAhUI658KHbmNBNkQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.tpl.one%2F
The-SuperiLL-car-
meet%2F&psig=AOvVaw18c_2rN_ZYrGSK6e_C7gZU&ust=1537510485561790
• https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-25334060
• https://youtu.be/PAjD4GFi3Ko
• https://youtu.be/7afPml45vmw