When Fe Basobas was 23, she often would race on the freeway in her 1993 green Honda Civic. Car show enthusiasts give
thumbs-down to street racingCrash kills popular teacher
By Rosemarie Bernardo
rbernardo@starbulletin.com"It was an adrenaline rush," Basobas said.
Three years ago, her attitude toward racing changed after she was confronted along the H-1 Freeway by two male drivers in custom-made vehicles.
"They sandwiched me," said Basobas describing how one driver drove in front of her while the other vehicle tailed her. She said when the drivers found out she was a woman, they left her alone.
Still, the confrontation shook her up.
Now 26, Basobas has opted for a 1992 blue Toyota truck and advises street racers to keep it on the tracks instead of on the freeway.
"They (street racers) jeopardize innocent lives," she said yesterday while attending the Hawaii Street Car Show Off at Blaisdell Exhibition Hall.
Basobas was among those at the show willing to discuss the culture of street racing following a fatal accident that police say may have been the result of racing on the H-1 freeway.
A 58-year-old woman was killed and two other people were badly injured early yesterday when their minivan was struck by a 1999 black Honda Prelude that police say may have been racing.
Others at the car show agreed that racing should be done in a controlled environment rather than on the freeway.
Shaun Hamada, 23, who drives a 1995 silver Honda Accord said street racers should utilize the racetrack at Hawaii Motor Speedway located near Campbell Industrial Park. "You can race as many times as you want," Hamada said.
Brian De Borja, 20, whose 1996 custom-made blue BMW was displayed at the show, agreed with Basobas that street racing puts others at risk.
"You see all these people crashing," he said. "You not only hurt yourself, you hurt the people around you."
Some in attendance suggested opening up more facilities like the speedway to deter street racing.
But, Hamada said, "I don't know if there is a solution. There are some bad apples out there."
Salt Lake resident J.R. Lai agreed. "No matter what anybody says, they'll (street racers) still do it," he said. "I don't see a practical solution."
Lai, whose 1999 black Honda Prelude was exhibited at the show, said he doesn't engage in a race when drivers challenge him by revving up their engines. "I don't take up the challenge. I give them the thumbs down sign."