Building better reputations
The act of making cars “better” is in the eye of the beholder, especially when it comes to late-model Hondas, Nissans, Saturns, Toyotas and Hyundais kitted out with wings, exhaust amplifiers and flashing lights, driven by a new generation of “tuners”—usually young men who attempt to turn ordinary passenger cars into their own versions of futuristic land transportation.

Tuners have garnered a bad reputation as outlaw street racers, thanks to a combination of the actions of some drivers as well as the continuing popularity of movies like The Fast and the Furious.

But a group of Ontario tuners is out to change that perception and recast the reputation of tuners as young car enthusiasts with a positive interest in cars, mechanics and engineering and the automotive industry. That’s how Tuners Against Street Racing (TASR) was born.

Tuning up for charity
In 2007, Matt Makarucha, 30, a car and racing enthusiast from Mississauga, Ont., and his girlfriend, Celina Lopes, developed the idea of an annual car show that would showcase the legally modified cars of amateur tuners, while at the same time raise money for charity, shine a positive light on tuner culture, encourage youth to consider careers in the auto industry and take a stand against street racing.

The first show started off small and raised just $600 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel in southern Ontario—chosen because its mandate of providing positive role models for young people is in line with TASR’s objectives. But it drew more than 130 cars and organizers had to turn away another 100. The second show proved to Makarucha that the idea had some traction—it raised $1,600 for the charity. Makarucha is hoping for further momentum for the 2009 show, set to take place in July.

Street-legal custom cars
Tuners are attracted to cars made in 1990 and after—cars that begin as fairly inexpensive vehicles, like the Honda Civic, can end up with several thousand dollars worth of modifications. Many tuners find that modification is a passion that starts small, with, for example, a $200 headlight adjustment. But it can evolve into major upgrades including fuel mapping systems, engine overhauls, turbochargers and high-end wheels and rims that can cost from $4,000 to $8,000.

Makarucha realizes he and other legitimate car modifiers face an uphill battle to repair their image. Some drivers consider all tuners street racers; police forces across the country, and Ontario in particular, are still working aggressively to eliminate street racing (through arrests, stiff fines and the seizure of vehicles), and agencies such as Environment Canada are taking aim at cars whose modifications violate emissions rules.

Show organizers work to screen participants to ensure their cars have been legally modified by asking participants to submit photos and information about their cars as part of the entry process. They also try to maintain a family atmosphere at the event.

Changing Attitudes
Makarucha hopes what sets Tuners Against Street Racing apart from its illegal brethren is partly its efforts to channel participants into lawful forms of auto racing. Show organizers have had representatives from the Canadian Sport Compact Series (which sanctions drag racing, drifting and “show-and-shine” events and promotes safe driving across the country), the Canadian Touring Car Championship (a racing series for amateur and semi-pro drivers) and the Ian Law Car Control School participate in the shows to promote legitimate venues for tuners to learn how to improve their driving and to learn to race, if that’s what interests them.

“Groups like this...can have some benefit,” says Constable Mike Lacroix, who led the York Regional Police’s Project ERASE (Eliminate Racing Activity on Streets Everywhere) in 2005 and 2008. “They can work with us; they can help get the message out.”

The Project ERASE website includes information on legal and illegal vehicle modifications, which Lacroix says modifiers should be aware of before they start spending money on their cars. As well, Lacroix cautions that the issue of street racing is broad and not limited to drivers of customized cars.

RELATED ARTICLES
+ Auto Trends for 2009

+ The World’s Most Expensive Cars

CONTESTS & OFFERS
+ Feeling lucky? Enter CAAMagazine.ca's current contests and offers for your chance to win.