A recent survey suggests that us VW fanatics have created a bit of a trend, with younger motorists being more interested in showing and shining their cars rather than driving around a housing estate in them. So does this mean the ‘boy racer’ era is a thing of the past?
According to a survey carried out by car leasing firm Flexed.co.uk, the boy racer scene is on the wane, with the image of modified cars being driven at excessive speeds and the associated anti-social behaviour that goes with it much less commonplace than it once was.
The firm suggests prohibitive insurance costs and harsher speeding laws has been a major factor in the change, and suggests that youngsters are becoming more sensible in their approach to motoring as a result.
The same survey found that young drivers are more interested in looking after their cars and exhibiting them in static displays when they get together, rather than thrashing them around car parks. As a spokesman explained: “This is reflected in the number of cars lined up with their bonnets open, displaying shining engines in car parks and industrial estates on pre-arranged evenings.”
The firm which commissioned the survey blames the economic downturn for the reduction of ‘chav cars’ on our roads, as well as the fact that parents have been hanging on to their older cars for longer rather than handing them down to their teenage offspring.
What do you think? Have you noticed that there are now fewer body-kitted Golfs on the VW scene. Perhaps because cash is tight, spending money getting a car mechanically sorted is now more important than adding spoilers, sideskirts and the inevitable furry dice? We can see the sense in that, but does that mean some of the inexpensive innocent fun’s gone from the hobby?
Ian
The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of VW Heritage
I would say the answer is two fold.
Big bodykits are no longer in fashion, subtle styling is the way for most nowadays – so the VW ‘boy racer’ is now a little more inconspicuous.
This has been reflected with the closure of magazines like Max Power and Redline which were at the heart of the modified scene in the late 90’s and noughties.
Also, more police presence – shutting down events and bolting speed cameras to every street corner has forced a lot of drivers to be on their best behaviour, or risk even higher insurance premiums.
Japanese cars seem to now be the chariot of choice for the budding ‘boy racer’ if they want to drive fast they can go ‘drift style’ and if they are a little more retiring can park up and show off some silly camber on their rear wheels!
Either way – there will always be young people into cars who are branded ‘boy racers’, and in most cases unfairly – but a few will keep the stereotype alive for future generations!