Self organized meetups similar to illegal street racer events across the globe. A country-wide phenomenon undertaken by car enthusiast sub cultures.
Usually a Friday or Saturday night event where participants would self assemble around central locations. A convoy would head out to the outer suburbs or the wops to find isolated location to perform drag races, cruise, or burnouts.
Burnouts
Burnouts are a crucial aspect to a successful night of The Drags. The New Zealand government defines a burnout in the land transport act:
"...operate a motor vehicle on a road in a manner that causes the vehicle to undergo sustained loss of traction unless the operation of the vehicle in that manner is authorised by law."
- Land Transport Act 1998
Burnouts at The Drags are sometimes enhanced with the application of a slippery mixture, such as detergent or diesel, to the road surface.
Controversy
Authorities tend to take a hard line approach to the drags and there is regular mention in the news of police action.
- Police crack down on street racers - NZ Herald
- Plan to halt Christchurch boy racer noise: Don't let them stop - Stuff
- Boy racers 'putting residents at risk' - Otago Daily Times
- 'FTP': Boy racers smash police car after Christchurch crackdown - Newshub
Legislation was passed in 2003 dubbed "The Boy Racer Act" in an attempt to curb illegal street racing and other associated activities.
Perpetuation
New Zealand has highly active car-related subcultures partly in due to relaxed modified vehicle laws, cheap Japanese vehicle imports, no mandatory vehicle insurance and a learner driver age at 15.
Visitors wishing to get involved in the scene are recommended to buy a Nissan Skyline - the preferred car of the boy racer scene.
Preferred vehicles include
- Nissan Skylines
- Mazda RX-7s
- Mitsubishi Evolutions