There used to be an end-of-summer tradition as gearheads, teenagers and anyone interested in ‘cruising the strip’ would drive up to Wasaga Beach, about an hour north of Toronto. Sometimes car clubs would arrange a meet-up point, but mostly it was just people cruising along Beach Dr; the main drag that follows the shoreline.
Each new generation bring changes. During the golden age of muscle cars, surely some drag racing went down at Wasaga. By the 80s it was booming bass instead of a rumbling V8s that could be heard at the beach. Now, some thrill-seeking gearheads have turned to street takeovers to feed their need for speed. Sideshows are ‘underground‘ events; a big middle finger to sanctioned car meets and their power-tripping gatekeepers.
Nobody is arguing that street takeovers aren’t dangerous. That’s probably part of the appeal to disenfranchised youth seeking recognition amongst their peers. Takeovers really gained popularity during the ‘lockdowns’ a couple years ago, especially with teenagers who felt the springtime of their youth was being stolen from them. But events like H20i at Wasaga are really just the same informal car meet-ups that have been going on at the beach for decades. Flashy cars, ‘2-step’ exhaust pops and parking lot donuts resemble street takeovers so that the entire scene ended up on the naughty list. Yet these same activities are part of sanctioned CSCS events at tracks across Ontario, held without incident.
This year, H20i plans a meet-up at Grand Bend instead of the traditional Wasaga Beach spot. Reaction from local townspeople has been predictably negative.
What a bunch of BS. This incendiary language is designed to raise fear amongst the townspeople.
The truly disturbing part of this story is how quickly the civil liberties of gar-guys have been suspended. This week, the OPP West Region launched the ‘Drive Smart: Keep It Safe‘ campaign to clamp-down on stunt driving and illegally modified vehicles in Ontario. Simply driving a modified car now provides the Ontario Provincial Police with enough reason to pull over anyone.
Vehicles are considered modified if are lowered or have an aftermarket exhaust. In an interview, an OPP Inspector claimed that modified vehicles may be unfit for the road and a portion of drivers could be driving aggressively or speeding. So much for freedom from being unreasonably detained…at least until the campaign ends on Sunday when the H20i even in Grand Bend is over.
In a CBC article, Grand Bend’s intolerant mayor Doug Cook isn’t yet seeking to suspend gearheads’ right to peaceful assembly or freedom of expression. But he’s made it clear to those planning on attending the H20i car rally, “Don’t show up — that’s the message. You’re not welcome in Grand Bend“
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