UNCP student lives in the fast lane

Customizing and racing cars is a lifestyle for some adrenaline junkies

By Ryan Kelly
Guest Writer

He had always been told to put his best foot forward, his best foot, however, just happened to be on the accelerator.

David M. Ortiz started street racing around his sophomore-junior year of high school, about the same time he started driving by himself.

This wasn’t a coincidence because Ortiz had a need for speed ever since his mom’s old boyfriend took him to the drag strips when he was a young boy.

Street racing is done underground. And although it is illegal, there is a growing number of racers and fans of the dangerous activity.

With most cars reaching speeds beyond 120 miles per hour during races, some may be surprised to hear Ortiz when he says his “fear of cops is more than (his) fear of injury.”

Ortiz says the best thing about street racing is that when driving, “it’s just you and the car.”

He loves to be in control and enjoys the adrenaline rush he gets during a competitive race.

A big part of the street racing lifestyle is the customization of the car itself. He has installed such accessories as headers, rims and a catalytic converter into his ride just to name a few. He also wants to one day add reverse scissor doors to his car.

Ortiz likes customizing because you are “free to do what you want.”

Ortiz hopes to one day take his passion for cars and use it in his career. He wants to one-day produce a television show that is “The Fast and the Furious meets The O.C.”

“Yeah I’ll do about five seasons of that and then do a spin-off,” Ortiz said.