Substance. So let’s talk about something real. We all know the cons of street racing but yet most of us watch the videos or hang out at the meets and rubberneck to any run that happens to pass. Most have either been tragically hurt by the loss of someone, or seen a tragedy first hand. After over 5 years of meets, I’ve been affected by it all. From watching Semi-trucks plowing through cars, to the loss of some very dear friends, the price for not driving carefully can be tragically paid. In my city, the racing scene has gotten so large that the cops don’t even bother trying to break up the meets most nights, sometimes covering miles of the bridge, with accidents almost every week. It’s definitely time for a change.
Mario L. Ojito Jr. knows that tragedy all too well, and set out to do something about it. His story of loss and struggle was all too familiar and inspirational. With two life-changing losses, he was determined to save others from the same lessons he had learned by using his story to make a difference. He realized that to true car enthusiasts, this is not just a hobby- but a lifestyle that cannot be replaced.
“Well, I always had a love for cars and racing even when I was a young child. As I got older it grew, I was racing or messing with anything and everything automotive. My interest in other things like drugs, alcohol and partying grew as well, making me unfocused and unclear about my future. Then in 2002 I lost my Father in a motorcycle accident which was a huge wake up call. At that point I looked at my life and knew I was meant to do something for our communities. I knew I was going to help people, but didn’t know how. A friend of mine Waldi had been in like 10 street racing accidents and left the scene only to buy a motorcycle. Waldi was then involved in an accident right in front of my eyes and a block away from where my Father died.”
At this point in Mario’s story I was tearing up pretty bad… The courage that it took for him to turn that into something that would change lives is remarkable. He continued;
“After all of that I had a dream of a program to keep kids and adults off the streets by giving them 2 things. Education and Simulation, simulation being what I give the public through my events and education being the part of the non-profit I haven’t been able to grow due to funding.”
Obviously we have all heard the “Stop Street Racing!” argument, but rarely is another option offered to the car enthusiasts of our generation. When events are offered, the encouragement of the racing is not always there for every genre and most lose support over time. Mario clearly saw this obstacle and decided to pair it with knowledge and constant encouragement.
“Every one of my events so far has been a success. As for supporting illegal street racing, I do not at all. Yet understanding that it will not end is part of the fight to make the program succeed. My events usually bring in 150+ vehicles and 400+ spectators. All my events are $20 to race and $5 to watch so it’s affordable to the average person.”
Realistically, the only way to change the social norm for racing from public roads to a safe environment is a mass realization of the effects of not supporting and controlling the sport, COINCIDING with a new idea to provide that control, much like Mario’s events in South Florida through his Street Racing Made Safe Program.
“In the long run the goal of the program is to have street racers in every city in the country street racing safely through the programs guideline, regulations. Secondly, the only proactive approach to street racing is through education. A drivers ED program for high school students to educate them about street racing related statistics, fines and hazards.”
With a realistic idea of what needs to happen to ultimately end the tragedies destroying the car scene throughout the world, perhaps now we can finally move forward with automotive industry and culture. Education for those participating in the risky sport of racing with the option of legal racing could save thousands of lives every year in the U.S. and potentially aid in illegal racing prevention worldwide.
For more information on how to donate to this life changing program, please visit the SRMS website.
Tezza.vision 