"Hard acceleration in an automobile is a total rush for anyone," said Tony Cadorin, president of ASU's Drag Racing Devils.
While most people would cringe at the thought of drag racing at speeds of up to 120 mph, Cadorin embraces the rush.
"I love the thrill of speed," he said. "While some get scared, some just simply love it."
It is the thrill of racing and a longing to meet people who share it that led Cadorin to form DRD. In addition to three original members, 10 new members have joined the two-month-old club.
Cadorin is a freshman and a raceway rookie, having started participating in the sport only 4 months ago. His inexperience, however, does not deter him from losing sight of what he can still accomplish.
"The club is a group of friends who have your back, will help you when you need help, and teach you when you need to learn," he said. "A club brings a closeness and sense of belonging to its members, and who wouldn't want that?"
To acquire the "closeness and sense of belonging" Cadorin mentioned, the DRD meets weekly at Firebird International Raceway where the only necessary gear is a courageous driver and functioning automobile.
Race time varies from 7 to 11:30 p.m. on Friday nights at the raceway. Although the competitors may or may not know one another, the atmosphere at the raceway is typically friendly.
The automobiles vary from Ford Expeditions to Dodge Vipers and speeds can range from 80 to 135 mph. Cadorin described a plethora of emotions that evolve in the quarter of a mile stretch from start to finish.
"I line up to do my burnout, and even though my engine is blaring, there's a sort of calm to life," he said. "Then I launch the car, and all my energy is focused on absolutely ripping through the gears."
A cautious individual may see nothing but red flags when it comes to the thought of drag racing - even doing it legally like the DRD - because of the risks involved.
Cadorin explained why racing legally at the track is safer than racing illegally on the streets.
"The tech inspections make it very hard for you to crash because there are so many rules and certain specifications you must follow, or you can't race," he said. However, he did not deny the danger. "Yes, there are fatalities. Too many."
Cadorin articulated his hopes for DRD's future plans with sponsors and project vehicles.
"To get sponsors, all you need to do is ask," he said. "To get funding from ASASU takes paperwork and pushing for it - not too big a deal."
The extra funding for the club will be dedicated to a future project vehicle, or as Cadorin called it: "The DRD mobile.
"It will be for track use only," he said. "This will be some car that we will convert into an all-out racing machine."
Merritt Hamberlin is a reporter for the Web Devil. Reach her at merritt.hamberlin@asu.edu.
