Cruiser: We're not doing anything wrong (From Thurrock Gazette)
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Cruiser: We're not doing anything wrong
3:30pm Friday 27th July 2012 in News
“CRUISING is a culture and tradition that will never die off” are the stark words from the owner of a “boy racer” Facebook page.
Each weekend, varying numbers of enthusiasts, aged from 17 to 25, with modified vehicles, cram the retail park car parks at Lakeside.
Often, cars are fitted with large exhausts, amplifying the sound of the cars.
The 21-year-old, who wished to remain anonymous, runs Lakeside Cruising, a Facebook page that has attracted more than 3,000 fans in four years.
He insists most people who descend on Lakeside shopping centre in their droves late at night each weekend do so to gather socially and show off their cars.
But he admits that occasionally, meets do turn into races, causing misery to nearby residents.
He said: “There are two types of people who come to the events. There are cruisers, who just park in the car park and talk about their cars all evening and then there are a few who park up for two mins and then race.
“Recently, there was a big race around the small roundabouts at the retail park, with people cutting each other up and racing five abreast. Everyone was nearly causing crashes.
“I don’t do it myself, but if someone does, I love watching it as long as people aren’t doing anything stupid.”
The Lakeside Cruising Facebook page and other social networking sites have been used to publish a circuit around the shopping centre basin.
The man said: “We’re not really racing around the circuit, we’re showing off. If you’re going round the route though, that’s much safer. You’re not racing or gambling.”
The page owner insists most of the time though, the revellers aren’t doing anything wrong, adding: “The reason we meet late at night is because it’s so quiet at Lakeside.
“There are no shops open, the car parks are empty. We know we create noise which is why we go out of the way.
“We’re not doing anything wrong, what’s the crime?”
Comments(12)
wobblybob
says...
7:41pm Fri 27 Jul 12
Dave_
says...
7:13am Sat 28 Jul 12
The thing that really grates is that, if I'm correct years ago they used to congregrate on Southend sea front and because the police/council couldn't control it, they turned the road from by Cliffs and the Kursaal into a veritable obstacle course to stop them. Thus ruining it for everyone.
The most annoying thing is the police can put an end to this. Speed traps on the A13 link road and as said photos of the vehicles, sent to insurance companies.
Also I thought there were car shows held in daylight where you can take your Halford spare part carriers to be scrutinised by people for who a few bits of plastic, other bits stuck on and big speakers do not make a car worthy of consideration.
Just remember when you grow up, your mindless antics may come back to haunt you.
alsation
says...
9:02am Sat 28 Jul 12
not to mention the noise and aggressive driving by these people.i am a professional driver and have been cut up and almost pushed off the road by these idiots late at night,called the police and told we are busy.
Thurrock Trojan
says...
12:28pm Sun 29 Jul 12
"We're not doing anything wrong."
Tell that to the relatives of the innocent motorist or pedestrian you fatally injure during your dangerous manoeuvres.
blakkwasp
says...
2:37pm Sun 29 Jul 12
Thurrock Trojan
says...
12:22am Mon 30 Jul 12
blakkwasp wrote:I wholeheartedly agree. However, our cash-strapped council won't invest in these measures.
Its about time the council installed the "pop up" bollards around lakeside to stop these shenanigans on a weekend that or put in loads of high speed bumps so these morons can't drive their halfrauds lowered **** heaps over them.
BB8H22A5
says...
2:12am Mon 30 Jul 12
'Crackdown' this, 'operation' that.
First of all, I think if the meets were legal, there would be no taboo factor and the 'so called racing' would not go onto the roads.
I don't think the Police/Council should bother youngsters who genuinely meet up to have a chat and discuss the engineering of their cars that have been built to better standards than your average road car. These guys and girls are are all sober, contribute MASSIVELY to the economy (fuel, insurance, tax, local fast food places, fashion).
Instead, anyone caught dangerous driving etc should be dealt with accordingly.
Even though I don't cruise and live locally with a modified car, I don't want to be tarnished with the same brush.
I-say-you-say
says...
9:22am Mon 30 Jul 12
wobblybob wrote:Wrong! I have a modified car (all good quality and professionally fitted - not Halfords own!) and my insurance company knows about each and every one and I have them insured like for like and my insurance is cheaper than most people I actually know with standard cars my age! Shockingly enough because although I own a modified car, I do not drive like a complete idiot - not denying some do!
Get the police need to log every cruisers car & inform their insurance companies that the cars have been modified. The insurance companies hate them & will hike their premiums accordingly.
The whole point of this story is for people to try and see that even those of us who are modified car enthusiasts realise that there is a minority who like to spoil it for the rest of us, but that doesn't mean we'll stop our hobby!
Oh and please stop going on about the "homosexual activity" it's derogatory and libelous! Plus being a woman, I find being called a gay man incredibly incorrect!
Thurrock Trojan
says...
5:49pm Mon 30 Jul 12
BB8H22A5 wrote:I'm sorry but I don't support your views on this issues. Those whom participate in racing around Lakeside on a Saturday night are breaking the law. They are also putting themselves as well as other innocent motorists in danger.
Here we go again. 'Crackdown' this, 'operation' that. First of all, I think if the meets were legal, there would be no taboo factor and the 'so called racing' would not go onto the roads. I don't think the Police/Council should bother youngsters who genuinely meet up to have a chat and discuss the engineering of their cars that have been built to better standards than your average road car. These guys and girls are are all sober, contribute MASSIVELY to the economy (fuel, insurance, tax, local fast food places, fashion). Instead, anyone caught dangerous driving etc should be dealt with accordingly. Even though I don't cruise and live locally with a modified car, I don't want to be tarnished with the same brush.
I do have a suggestion, however. Would it be possible for the Arena Essex to be used instead, say 11pm to 2am? If so, at least it will be somewhere legitimate for participant.
Just an observation!
Bernard 87
says...
8:50am Tue 31 Jul 12
That would actually be a good idea. It's safer as well.
BB8H22A5
says...
11:54pm Tue 31 Jul 12
I am actually against racing on the roads. I used the word 'racing' because people refer to loud cars as racing just because of the engine tone, when in fact they are just in low gear, high revs. Some chavs however do race, and should be dealt with accordingly.
Many years ago, there was a legal cruise in Southend once a month. It was a great hit with the locals. The actual sea front was closed to custom cars only. Crime went down, all the cars were parked on the sea front and locals of all ages came to look and talk to the owners.
What happened after a few months? Some clever politician decided it was a bad idea, and the chavs came out to play again.
Arena Essex is a good idea...but many of these drivers do NOT want to race, they just want to drive their cars to a spot, park up, show of the latest modifications and just hang out with their pals after a hard week's work.
I have an idea actually - a warden. Eg music etc is fine, but if someone starts burning out etc in a dedicated cruise car park they get booked. Just a thought.
I think the modified scene is great for this country but we have to change the attitude of some young drivers as it stinks to high heaven and they will ruin it for everyone. We need to respect our surroundings.
Oh well, I am out of the game now. If I want to see cars, I just go to a car show, Brands Hatch or Santa Pod.
Mattster says...
7:30pm Fri 27 Jul 12