Are "Boy Racers" a dying breed?

[bremb0]

I was driving along the other day (as you do) and saw a little saxo drive past with a smoothed boot, no door handles etc and a big 5" exhaust.

Now I remember when cars like that used to be a common sight, are the "boy racers" of old pretty much extinct, or have they adopted a new "look".

When I was much younger I used to love the whole modifying thing with big bodykits etc, I never ever modified cars in that way mind you because I wanted to keep insurance down, and I would have felt stupid doing up a 1.0 fiesta in that way lol

I personally prefer to just buy a standard car that looks the way I want it, e.g bigger wheels, uprated suspension, bigger brakes etc as opposed to having to modify the car myself.

Anyway are boy racers a common site where you are now?

[Marlin45]

Still hoards of them around these 'ere parts

[anonymous-user]

I see a few about, weekend nights at ASDA car park is where they all appear to be hiding. There are less driving about though.

[Liquid Knight]

They've all had to sell their like rides in-it because of a DNA test episode of the Jeremy Kyle show and now have been forced to pay paternity.

[DannyVTS]

Depends, A lot of codgers call me a "boy racer" because I am young and interested in modifying hatchbacks.. :roll:

[ZOLLAR]

I think there are less these days probably a combination of reasons i.e. petrol,insurance etc etc although I think the whole scene has moved on or moved underground not totally sure i've never really had my finger on the pulse when it comes to modding

[kambites]

I don't see many, but I think that's just because I no longer have any reason to go to the kinds of areas that people tend to drive/own them.

[paulmoonraker]

I drive quite a bit, and see plenty of 1ltr cars with MASSIVE exhausts making that farty drone sound... However, I cannot say too much myself about big loud exhausts

[anonymous-user]

paulmoonraker said:

I drive quite a bit, and see plenty of 1ltr cars with MASSIVE exhausts making that farty drone sound... However, I cannot say too much myself about big loud exhausts

Yes but atleast yours has the car to match
When I had my Corsa I'd of felt like an idiot putting a huge exhaust on.

[Monkeylegend]

Definately a dying breed round here, there was a fatality only last week, collided with a tree.

[Hot Potatoes]

I think these 17 year olds nowadays are at home looking after their kids, no time or money to be wasting petrol in a Saxo...

[amare32]

There's a whole bunch of 'em round my local Asda - seems like there's only guys there. Probably a gay boy racers meet of something. Never appealed to me even when I was between 16-19. Hanging about in car parks is not exactly the most exciting or useful thing to be doing.

I don't have a problem with this group - unless they crash into people/trees/buidlings. As opposed to the ones who go around scratching cars, destroying things and drinking enormous quantities of cheap beer.

Edited by amare32 on Wednesday 9th March 12:33

[paulmoonraker]

PSBuckshot said:

Yes but atleast yours has the car to match
When I had my Corsa I'd of felt like an idiot putting a huge exhaust on.

I guess... Anyway, personally it makes me laugh and brightens up my otherwise mundane motorway journey... I saw a Saxo this morning with a Veyron shaped / sized exhaust sporting a Ferrari badge on the front wing...

[bremb0]

paulmoonraker said:

I drive quite a bit, and see plenty of 1ltr cars with MASSIVE exhausts making that farty drone sound... However, I cannot say too much myself about big loud exhausts

I think some (I would call ignorant) people do tend to label everyone with a car that makes a loud noise as a "boy racer" unfortunately

I do think it's funny when you hear them accelerating from the lights and going nowhere though.

I also love when some people paint their drums a bright colour to draw attention to them lol

Don't get me wrong painting drums isn't necessarily bad, maybe black as it's better than rust, but why do people paint them bright orange?!

Going back to my original post though, I used to see a big group of boy racers in our local mcdonalds but I haven't even seen them in there for a while.

It must just be round my way that they are dying out then as they seem in healthy supply for some of you...

Edited by bremb0 on Wednesday 9th March 12:38

[Jasandjules]

Plenty of them around here.

[anonymous-user]

paulmoonraker said:

I guess... Anyway, personally it makes me laugh and brightens up my otherwise mundane motorway journey... I saw a Saxo this morning with a Veyron shaped / sized exhaust sporting a Ferrari badge on the front wing...

All for a HUGE gain of about 0.01bhp as well. Well worth it init'

amare32 said:

I don't have a problems with this group - unless they crash into people/tress/buidlings. As opposed to the ones who go around scratching cars, destroying things and drinking enormous quantities of cheap beer.

And yes, I much prefer boy racers to chavs. Though the line between them is very thin, I don't feel like I'm about to get stabbed or attacked then put on youtube in the presence of boy racers.

[Mr Sparkle]

I think there are a lot less about, a few years ago if you were to go to Southend seafront on a Friday or Saturday there would be gridlock from the number of modified cars, now there are almost none.

[bremb0]

PSBuckshot said:

All for a HUGE gain of about 0.01bhp as well. Well worth it init'

Ah reminds me of the good old k&n open filter on top of engine bay mod, all that hot air really used to give a big power boost

Mr Sparkle said:

I think there are a lot less about, a few years ago if you were to go to Southend seafront on a Friday or Saturday there would be gridlock from the number of modified cars, now there are almost none.

I wonder why that is, I don't think it's the cost of insurance as insurance has never been cheap for young drivers anyway, and when I was young many would go as named drivers with undeclared modifications anyway.

I am wondering whether it's just going out of fashion now.

A big modifying mag has even stopped production now, the thing is I don't think modifying has stopped, I think it must just have changed, and moved away from exterior modifications maybe.

Maybe people are going for more standard looks

Edited by bremb0 on Wednesday 9th March 12:45

[waterwonder]

I think they're still out there, however the day's of them hooning round town centre's etc seem to have gone. I think the trend peaked shortly after the first few fast n furious films.

As others have said much more likely to be found parked up somewhere nowadays, i can't remember the last time i saw a 'boy racer' driving fast.
Additionally (if i can make a sweeping generalisation) the demographic who traditionally made up 'boy racers' probably can't afford to spunk as much on cars now. Combination of insurance premiums, fuel, recession, unemployment etc etc etc.

[smileykylie]

amare32 said:

I don't have a problem with this group - unless they crash into people/trees/buidlings. As opposed to the ones who go around scratching cars, destroying things and drinking enormous quantities of cheap beer.

Edited by amare32 on Wednesday 9th March 12:33

+1

I really dont see the harm, especially when i think what i was up to at that age... in an allegro