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By Sang H. Lee Import Motorsport: Evolution of an Asian Subculture Import motorsport is spreading like wildfire. What started in the early nineties as a hobby among young Asian American males has turned into a phenomenon attracting participants of all colors. Five years ago, witnessing a "slammed" Honda roaming the streets of Los Angeles was a rare sight. This is no longer the case, as the number of "fixed up" imports has skyrocketed. Participants all share the same goal: owning the ultimate import, one that has the looks to go with the speed. Whether it's a $15k Honda Civic or a $80k Acura NSX, the owners want their cars commanding respect. However, many owners of customized imports have limited budgets which force them to build their cars from paycheck to paycheck. Thus, the average import owner will take several years to build his or her car to competition levels. Making an import into an average "head-turner" will take at least several hundred dollars. However, in order to achieve higher standards, thousands and thousands of dollars must be invested. The large number of "fixed up" imports of high caliber that exist today on the streets of Southern California, however, proves that financial setbacks will not prevent this sport from growing. According to RJ de Vera, the editor-at-large for "Super Street," individuals who catch the "carfever," or an addiction to customizing cars, will seldom allow financial limitations to stop them. Problems of more serious nature include theft and severe acts of vandalism. It is a known fact that Hondas are the most frequently stolen cars in California. Add some fancy wheels, a booming sound system and other pricey accessories, and the car thieves have an added incentive. After spending nearly $7,000 of my hard-earned cash, my very own Honda was stolen and stripped to its bare chassis. The theft left me in awe and shock. I had poured so much of my time and effort into my car. Ultimately, the unfortunate event had me wondering if all the time and effort were worth the trouble. After much thinking, I paid another visit to a Honda dealer with the intent to start all over. Within a month, my new car was vandalized to the tune of $2,500. Needless to say, I wanted to own anything but a Honda at the time. Many other owners experience vehicle theft or acts of vandalism. Most of us counteract such mishaps by exercising caution. Unfortunately, we experience it so often that we just accept it. It's just a price we have to pay in participating in a hobby that demands attention as one of its main goals. Despite such setbacks, many owners of imports continue to customize their vehicles to the extreme. The extent to which the owners of these imports customize their vehicles is so extravagant that many refer to the hobby as an addiction. For RJ de Vera, it took him nearly two full years to bring his first car to perfection. After investing over $15,000 and countless hours customizing, RJ De Vera sold his '93 Acura Integra after blowing up two engines and winning just about every car shows he entered. "It was time to move on," he comments. "I wanted another vehicle and start from scratch. Besides, Integras are much too common these days." Just about all the imports that compete in import car shows possess exotic equipment, such as imported racing wheels from Japan and custom turbochargers that require a complete engine rebuild. Along with such pricey equipment comes careful execution. "Spending gobs of money on a car will not get you that trophy. It takes planning and creativeness. That's what wins car shows," RJ comments. For many of the participants, their vehicles represent a significant portion of their life. Their cars mean more to them than a method of transportation. Such devotion can justify all the time and money that are spent in building these cars. So what motivates these individuals to devote nearly all of their financial income and time on a car? What explains the intense popularity of import motorsport? Tony Kwan, an active staff of "Import Showoff," the world-famous car show largely responsible for the growth spurt of the hobby, offers these answers: There are many factors that have made import motorsport popular. 'Fixing up' imports can be analogous to American youth in the 50's who customized the domestic muscle cars such as Fords and Chevrolets. These youth of the past participated in the hobby for many of the same reasons shared by the youth of today. The need for speed, attention, respect and glory are the major reasons." Kwan states that "the Asian youth needed a subculture to identify with. Fixing up imports gave us something to work with." RJ De Vera contributes additional reasons: "Culture, the media, the purchase trends of many parents are just a few of the reasons." In addition, De Vera feels that "the increase in availability of after-market products, the increase in the number of consumer outlets for these products and finally, the image associated with having a 'cool car' are the factors that contributed to the popularity of import motorsport. Despite the momentum that the sport has gained in the last several years, there are race-related factors that prevent the sport from growing even bigger. These factors, unlike the financial and the theft problems, do not appear to have tangible solutions. Police often stereotype all Asian youths with "fixed up" vehicles as gang members or troublemakers. Although such beliefs are not entirely accurate, Kwan believes that "the police have valid reasons to hold such stereotypes. There is a definite association with customized imports and Asian gangsters." However, Kwan adds that "most kids turn toward the hobby of fixing up cars as a way to escape from gangs. The hobby lets the youth escape from illegal activities like drug use and gang life. Thus, there isn't enough justification for the bias that the law enforcement holds against us." Unfortunately, a correlation between the two subcultures of import motorsport and gang banging exists in the eyes of those who stand outside. For many Asian youth who stay away from gang life and other illegal activities, it is unfortunate that such an association tarnishes the hobby that they hold so much pride in. Most owners of customized imports can share experiences of harassment from the police and receiving citations that are often questionable. It appears that a combination of expensive wheels, a loud exhaust system, a lowered ride height and a male driver of minority descent will guarantee a citation in most of the cities in Los Angeles County. Indeed, the law does not allow exhaust systems to be extremely loud (clearly audible past 100 feet) nor the ride height to be too low (no portion of the vehicle can be lower than the bottom of the wheels). A vehicle that breaks these regulations must receive a "fix-it" ticket. Many owners, however, can remember a time when they were pulled over or even received a citation despite having a vehicle that had "legal" specifications. Oftentimes, an officer will cite a vehicle even if it passes the regulations. I can personally testify to this claim. Back in 1996, while driving a friend to the emergency room of the UCLA hospital, I received a citation for having a "modified exhaust" and a "ride height not meeting the legal minimum." The sounds of the sirens did not surprise me at all. After all, I was in the parking lot of the emergency room. I assumed the source of the lights and sirens to be an ambulance. Much to my surprise, however, two members of the UCPD pulled me over. Despite the fact that my friend continually vomited from food poisoning and needed immediate medical attention, I kept my patience. My explanation of the fully legal exhaust system and the legal ride height did not register to the officer who started writing a ticket. The other officer simply looked at my passenger and asked, "how many drinks have you had tonight?" Receiving such harsh treatment, my frustration turned into anger. Raising my voice, I remember telling the officers, "my friend needs to see a doctor right away. She's got food poisoning." All I received in reply was an equipment citation. I fought the ticket in court and paid nothing. Instead of experiencing a moral victory, however, I felt angry for receiving a ticket I didn't deserve. Despite experiencing such an incident, my experiences with the law enforcement sound trivial when compared to those of my peers. I know of two friends who have received numerous equipment citations in the city of Torrance. One received four citations in a span of four weeks, while the other received no less than seven in a span of five weeks. Admittedly, both of the vehicles come close to the legal limit. Thus, the citation served more as a warning than anything. Kenji Sumino, the engineer of research and development of Greddy, the company that sells "street legal" performance products all across Japan and the United States, believes that "law enforcement will cite you even if your equipment is legal." Sumino feels that "the police give out such citations in order to discourage people from customizing. They also cite people based on false information." Indeed, I spoke to Detective Dawson of the Santa Monica police department, who stated that "any modified muffler system which increases the original factory sound levels are illegal in the state of California." However, according to Sumino, Dawson made his statement based on false information. "If what Detective Dawson said was true, mufflers from Midas would be deemed illegal as well. But you don't see people being pulled over for having an exhaust system from Midas." Sumino states that "many of the officers do not know all the details that are involved in our exhaust systems." He adds: "they are replacement exhausts that have passed the regulations of the Commissioner's Office of the California Highway Patrol. Despite such measures we have taken, we realize that the police will continue to cite the owners of our exhausts. That's why we have prepared a pamphlet which explains the legality of our products." Greddy has taken drastic measures to defend its clients from unfair citations with a document that states the legality of its products. "Present our document to an officer who attempts to cite you and have him read it. By law, he cannot give you a citation after reading our document," states Sumino. Such measures are honorable, but I wonder how many officers will take the time to read the pamphlet and admit that they are wrong. Even over the phone, Detective Dawson refused to regard such exhaust system as being legal. He simply stated that "it is our obligation to see to it that the laws are respected." Detective Dawson's answers and comments are similar to what other import enthusiasts hear when being cited. "Officers often state the law that they know of. When presented with new information, especially about our cars and its equipment, they often get irritated and give us additional citations," answers Kwan. He adds, "almost no import will be so low where the body of the car will sit lower that the bottom portion of the wheels." Exhaust systems from Greddy, DC sports and many others manufactures are street legal. Yet we continue receiving citations." Are the rumors true? Are some members of the law enforcement biased against import owners? When asked these questions, Detective Dawson simply said, "we only cite vehicles that possess illegal equipment." Sensing bitterness in Detective Dawson's answers, I asked about his personal view on individuals who own "fixed up" imports. He would only say, "no personal opinions. I want to keep my personal views to myself." Why could Detective Dawson not reveal his personal views to a student who simply wanted his comments for a school report? Such answers left me with negative thoughts. His answers did nothing to change my opinions about the bias that the police have against import enthusiasts. I attempted to seek answers from another source, from the UCPD. Contrary to Detective Dawson's reluctant answers, the director of community relations at the UCPD offered much more enthusiasm. Nancy Greenstein was willing to answer all the questions I had. Unfortunately, her experience with import motorsport has been quite brief. When asked about the possibility of the owners of customized imports being more prone to breaking the laws of the road, she stated that "officers look for clues other than the brand of cars or the ethnicity of the driver." She sees "no reason for customized imports to receive any type of bias." I also contacted Christine Golia, one of the community officers at the Torrance Police Department for further information. Having to contact her over the phone, I was unable to get her full attention. She offered a similar answer to most of my questions and stated, "you have to be more specific" for all of the following questions: What are the most frequent citations that imports receive? Do any officers, in your opinion, exercise any bias toward those who own customized imports? If not, why is it that so many of Asian drivers with modified imports meeting the legal limits are followed for miles at a time by police officers? Golia offered the information that I have already heard from Detective Dawson and Nancy Greenstein. They all appeared to hide something. They all seemed to stray away from my questions. I desperately wanted to hear a complete answer. I wanted honest and informed feedback from a member of the law enforcement. I wanted to know the logic behind citing an import for possessing legal after market equipment. I wanted to know the exact amount of bias many officers hold against import enthusiasts. Perhaps I expected too much. After all, I asked questions on subjects that appeared to be too trivial in the eyes of these officers. Disappointingly, my quest proved to be futile. Admittedly, the law and the race-related bias only can do so much to hold down the sport of import motorsport. The bias existed even before the sport began. In the past, Frank Choi, the creator of the Battle of Imports, made futile attempts to drag race his Mazda RX-7 against Camaros and Mustangs at the local race events. The event staff always turned him down since his car was an import. Feeling dejected but not discouraged, Choi created a drag race event catering specifically for imports. As of now, "The Battle of Imports" has gained world-wide recognition and draws growing numbers of fans with each event. Frank Choi's personal conquest motivates the rest of us to fight the racial bias that faces us everyday. Magazines like "Super Street," "Sport Compact Car," and "Turbo" all portray the import scene positively. They hold a great responsibility in providing accurate coverage of the sport since mainstream media seems to ignore the sport, despite its popularity. The sport has been covered only once in the last several years in the Los Angeles Times, on January 22, 1997, under the heading, "A Turbocharged Obsession." In the article, James Romero states, "Forget Fords and Chevys. Today's street monsters of choice are Acuras and Hondas. It's an interest fueled by a growing number of Asian American car clubs." The article was not only accurate but covered the sport with emotion and appropriate humor. To see such an article in a mainstream publication is uplifting. Kwan believes that the sport will grow even bigger. "The Asian youth needed a subculture to identify with," he states. "Thus, we created our own trend and became the originators. As the originators, we must support the trend despite the racial bias that we face." Indeed, we, the Asian youth, are the originators of import motorsport. Instead of just following the trends that others have set, we now have a trend of our own for others to follow. Import motorsport has the chance to become popular among individuals of all ethnic backgrounds. The sport can be compared to the rap and hip-hop culture that was established by African Americans. Rap and hip-hop currently have a huge following from people of all colors. Trends like rap, hip-hop, and import motorsport represent more than just a fad of minority teens. They make a bold statement in our society. They express the individuality of the cultures that exist in America. By expanding to encompass other ethnic groups, such subcultures have a uniting effect -- something we desperately need in a country so full of racial tension. (Sang Ho Lee is a sophomore majoring in Math and Engineering.)