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Putting the skids under street racing

By Wang Hongyi (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-05-28 11:50

There are already strict controls in China for adrenalin-seekers looking to modify their vehicles for a faster performance. According to China's Road Safety Law, changes to a car's color, length, width and height, as well as the related parameters on engines, are strictly prohibited.

However, a China Daily investigation in Shanghai discovered there were many cars that have been illegally modified, with their original engines swapped for souped-up varieties.

It is believed owners are avoiding punishment by exchanging modified parts with originals to pass the annual vehicle inspections carried out by police and then simply reverting back.

Statistics are not immediately available on the number of illegally modified cars, but insiders from racing circles estimate at least 1,000 cars are refitted each year in Hangzhou alone.

"A car's speed can be greatly improved by replacing components like the intake and exhaust pipes, and sparkplugs," said a Shanghai garage manager in his 30s surnamed Huang. A former racer himself, he explained that many of his customers were "trendy people in their 20s or 30s".

"The cars sent here are mainly Honda, Mazda or BMW models. It just needs one day to finish the modification," he said. "The fee largely depends on the specifications of the car, as well its brand, size and components."

To refit a Mazda 6 would cost 5, 000 to 6,000 yuan, which would include replacing the intake and exhaust pipes, spark plugs, and turbo system, said Huang. "But that's just a primary modification, though. More dynamic aspects can be upgraded if the owner wants to pay more."

He added that for a BMW to reach its 300 km per hour limit it would cost at least 40,000 yuan.

Chen Ji, of the National Center of Supervision and Inspection on Motor Vehicle Products Quality, warned: "Such modifications to cars' engines could put the driver and passengers' lives in danger. They may also reduce the vehicles' lifespan."

On the question of how drivers in souped-up cars avoid the law, another mechanic in the city said: "It's OK if you just drive carefully on the streets. But of course, police can usually tell a car has been modified by the sound of the exhaust pipe, which gets louder.

"The best and relatively safe approach is to lower the sound of the exhaust. That can help avoid vehicles being towed by police."

Some countries have strict regulations on vehicle modification and those that do not meet standards, or are regarded as too powerful, are banned from roads and can only be used on certified racing tracks. "China should work out clear and detailed rules governing all aspects of car modification," said Yang Liang, of Zhejiang University. "That would give both the police and people modifying cars a definitive set of guidelines in which to operate."

Meanwhile, an effective supervision and inspection system should be established, prohibiting any illegal car modifications and warning people what is allowed, he said.

In the United States, police have made efforts to get illegal street racers onto organized, regulated tracks. It means thrill-seekers can still enjoy the speed and crowds can still enjoy the spectacle, but in a safe environment.

Netizens on Internet forums have pushed for the idea to be rolled out across China, while Wang Xiang, manager of the Fengxing Rally Team based in Hangzhou, said: "To become a professional racer is not so difficult. People like Hu Bin were fully capable of joining formal competitions."

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