Jim, just ignore mr inferiority complex racer. He's a an exception rather than the stereotypical rule that mustang guys like to give the vette guys.

I've owned several modular mustangs, including a 530hp vortech blown, T56 98 Cobra. The majority of us are really enthusiasts at heart; I personally could care less about brand loyalty. The new cobras hit a homerun where a muscle car should; and thats with the motor.

But trust me, if you get a chance to come over to a Z06, do it. You won't regret it. It truly is the complete, light weight package, and is relatively a bargain for the all out performance level.

 

I haven't seen any new legislation on street racing in Texas. But I'm checking into it.

The only "new" legislation was last year. Which made it an option to cite it as a Class B misdemeanor instead of a Class C. The other laws are still in place, so the officer can still cite you for the Class C stuff if he wants. It basically allows them to put some "teeth" into the charges if you are repeat offender, or your are drunk and hurt someone. But, a basic street racing ticket is not a felony AFAIK...

Here is the statue I am aware of...


H.B. No. 1326 relating to the civil and criminal consequences of racing a motor vehicle on a public highway or street and of being a spectator at an illegal motor vehicle racing event; providing penalties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 545.420, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Subsections (c)-(h) to read as follows:
(c) A person who knowingly attends as a spectator a race, competition, contest, test, or exhibition described by Subsection (a) commits an offense. An offense under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor.
(d) Except as provided by Subsections (e)-(h), an offense under Subsection (a) is a Class B misdemeanor.
(e) An offense under Subsection (a) is a Class A misdemeanor if it is shown on the trial of the offense that:
(1) the person has previously been convicted one time of an offense under that subsection; or
(2) the person, at the time of the offense: (A) was operating the vehicle while intoxicated, as defined by Section 49.01, Penal Code; or (B) was in possession of an open container, as defined by Section 49.031, Penal Code.
(f) An offense under Subsection (a) is a state jail felony if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the person has previously been convicted two times of an offense under that subsection.
(g) An offense under Subsection (a) is a felony of the third degree if it is shown on the trial of the offense that as a result of the offense, an individual suffered bodily injury.
(h) An offense under Subsection (a) is a felony of the second degree if it is shown on the trial of the offense that as a result of the offense, an individual suffered serious bodily injury or death.
SECTION 2. Subchapter O, Chapter 521, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 521.350 to read as follows:
Sec. 521.350. SUSPENSION FOR OFFENSE RELATING TO RACING OF MOTOR VEHICLE ON PUBLIC HIGHWAY OR STREET. (a) A license is automatically suspended on conviction of an offense under Section 545.420(a).
(b) A suspension under this section is for one year, except as provided by this section.
(c) A person whose license is suspended under Subsection (a) remains eligible to receive an occupational license under Subchapter L, except that an occupational license issued to a person younger than 18 years of age whose license is suspended under this section may permit the operation of a motor vehicle only for transportation to and from an educational facility in which the person is enrolled and the place where the person resides.
(d) A person whose license is suspended under Subsection (a) shall be required by the court in which the person was convicted to successfully complete, before the first anniversary of the date of conviction, an educational program, approved by the Texas Education Agency under rules adopted by that agency and the department, that is designed to educate persons on the dangers of motor vehicle racing on public highways and streets. If the person is a resident of this state without a driver's license to operate a motor vehicle, the court shall issue an order prohibiting the department from issuing the person a driver's license before the person successfully completes such an educational program.
(e) The Texas Education Agency and department shall jointly adopt rules for the qualification and approval of providers of educational programs under Subsection (d). The Texas Education Agency shall publish the jointly adopted rules. To be approved, an educational program must include a minimum of 100 hours of formal
classroom instruction and focus on the dangers of speeding and of aggressive driving.
(f) If a person required to attend an educational program completes the program before the end of the person's license suspension, the person may apply to the department for reinstatement of the person's license or the issuance of a new license. The application must include proof satisfactory to the department that the person has successfully completed the program.
(g) If a person whose license is suspended under this section is subsequently convicted of an offense under Section 521.457(a) during the period of license suspension, in addition to the penalties provided by Section 521.457, the department shall revoke the person's license until the first anniversary of the date of conviction and may not reinstate the person's license or issue the person a new license before that date.
SECTION 3. (a) This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.
(b) The changes in law made by this Act apply only to an offense committed on or after September 1, 2003.
(c) An offense committed before September 1, 2003, is covered by the law in effect when the offense was committed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of this section, an offense was committed before September 1, 2003, if any element of the offense was committed before that date.



Houston Chronicle article regarding same:

March 18, 2003, 3:00PM

Bill aims to brake street racing
Houston officers support harsher penalties for drivers, spectators
By MELISSA DROSJACK
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau
AUSTIN -- Houston law enforcement officials are backing legislation they say would deter drag racing on city streets by providing harsher penalties for drivers and even citing spectators.

House Bill 1326 by Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, would stiffen penalties for illegal street racing, increasing the offense from a Class C to a Class B misdemeanor.

Anyone convicted of illegally racing on public highways or streets would lose his driver's license for a year. The offense would increase to a Class A misdemeanor if the driver was intoxicated, had an open container of alcohol in the vehicle or had previously been convicted of the same offense, or if an individual was killed or seriously injured.

Additionally, someone watching an illegal street race could be cited with a Class C misdemeanor, which carries no jail term but has a fine of up to $500. Currently under Texas law, officers cannot cite spectators.

The House Committee on Law Enforcement was scheduled to take testimony on the proposal Monday night.

Drag racing, a continuing problem in the Houston area, prompted a controversial sting operation last summer at a westside Kmart, where hundreds of wrongful arrests were made by Houston police officers.

John Denholm, a lieutenant with the Harris County Sheriff's Department, said Monday that the legislation would put some "teeth" into the regulation of drag racing on city streets. Denholm was in Austin to voice his support for the measure.

Denholm said that in Harris County, Goodnight Trail, a popular drag-racing strip south of Rankin Road in the warehouse district, attracts droves of spectators on weekend nights. On high-traffic nights, the Sheriff's Department stations an officer at the site, he said.

"You will have crowds of up to 1,500 people watching these competitions," he said.

Denholm said giving officers the ability to penalize spectators would cut down on crowds.

"If these kids know that they are going to get cited, that's going to take some of the glamour off," he added.

Joan Hoffner of Houston, whose daughter was killed in a drag-racing accident on Texas 290 in 1999, said she supports the bill.

"I'm hoping that this bill will help prevent this from happening to anybody else," Hoffner said.

"I'm concerned that the people who are doing this on the streets, they don't have anything to deter them from thinking that any kind of consequences would happen to them besides a speeding ticket," she said.

And Hoffner said citing spectators would dampen the interest in drag racing.

"Some of the thrill of street racing is having people watch them," she said. "I think they (spectators) should be penalized too because they are just promoting it."

Ann del Llano, spokeswoman for the American Civil Liberties Union, said the organization has not taken a position on the bill, but she personally opposes it.

She noted last summer's wrongful arrests at the Kmart, saying the incident shows an abuse of power by police.

"Drag racing is already illegal and unfortunately, it is already abused by law enforcement as it was in Houston with the Kmart arrests," del Llano said.

She added there would be an additional cost for taxpayers to incarcerate someone charged under stricter regulations for drag racing.

"Just in general, when you increase the criminal penalty for an act, it's a very costly item for the government," del Llano said.

 

Speaking of inferiority complex, every couple of months Blu comes into a thread where I have expressed my opinion and personally attacks me. He has been warned about it from the moderators, so he lets some time go by and then does it again. It really is old and pathetic.

 

warned by the moderators...bwahaha, you're dilusional

ya, right mr 7000 posts. provide some proof of that.

 

Well, looks like you hijacked yet another thread with your personal attacks. Let's continue this via e-mail or private message shall we.........I'll be waiting.

 

Yep, that's why I'm here. At current pricing you almost have to buy it. (At least that is how I am rationalizing it.)

See you around,

Jim

 

Now, now children! Be nice!