[BonzoHansen]

I sent a letter to the editor. Nothing will happen, but I did anyway.

I was saddened by the story of the elderly woman killed because of the reckless antics of two teenaged boys. What they did was stupid and irresponsible, and in no way can their actions be condoned. The number of lives they impacted forever is incredible. And unfortunately it happens all too frequently.

That being said, those boys were not drag racing. Drag racing is a legitimate sport that is done within the safe confines of a race track, with layers of safety rules to protect both drivers and spectators. What those boys were doing had neither. We are blessed that in NJ we have 3 high quality tracks; Island Dragway in the north, Raceway Park in the central part of the state, and Atco in the southern end of the state. These tracks, which are open to the public much of the year, encourage a safe way to race.

Next time, please don’t shed a negative light on a legitimate sport. All that does is sully the reputation of the law abiding people that keep racing on the tracks. Call an event leading to a tragedy like this what it really is, illegal street racing, with the emphasis on illegal.

Maybe it is time for some stories about real drag racing. Perhaps if the right way to race was better publicized, some lives might be saved.