Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, November 6, 1995 TAG: 9511060082
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: DUMFRIES LENGTH: Short
Prince William County police hope the sting puts an end to the old custom of racing on the dark, narrow Cockpit Point Road, but spectators said they probably will seek their thrills somewhere else.
``I don't think people realize how dangerous this is,'' said police Lt. D.H. Litton, head of the police department's special problems unit.
Police have known about the drag racing for years but have been unable to catch the lawbreakers.
The races usually begin after midnight. After sizing up the competition, young men challenge each other to drag, with the loser usually paying the winner $10 to $20.
In the summer, 50 or 60 people sometimes gather to watch the races, said 18-year-old Danny Mauck, one of Saturday's spectators.
``It's just something to do. Different people dig doing different stuff,'' he said.
Early Saturday, cars started lining up along the shoulders of Cockpit Point Road a little after midnight. Litton and county police spokeswoman Kim Chinn joined them in a 1995 Ford Mustang. Litton declined challenges to race, pointing to Chinn and saying his girlfriend wouldn't let him.
Another detective in a Chevrolet Camaro told challengers he didn't want to race because he just got his car out of the shop.
Finally, the driver of a souped-up pickup agreed to race a motorcyclist. After two races, Litton walked up to the crowd and told them they were under arrest.
Racing on the highway and being a spectator to racing are misdemeanors with a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
by CNB