Hangtown - An amazingly bad experience.

[Racer799]

This is my seventh year going to Hangtown. I've enjoyed every year going there and usually have a great time. I am a hardworking dedicated 36 year old man. I own my own business, work very hard all year and look forward to Hangtown as a time to relax with friends and family that come from all over California and Nevada to support me and the sport.

Unfortunately, this year was different. I ended up leaving on Saturday night after multiple problems with some drunk idiots in the camp ground to avoid any property damage, harassment, altercations or arrests. Sadly this is probably the last time I'll be going to Hangtown as an "event". I'm completely shocked by the attitude of some of the teenagers, their parents, and particularly the lack of action from the park rangers. It has been a very long time since I've had to deal with that level of immaturity and it took everything I had in me to hold back my anger and keep myself out of jail. I was told by the park rangers that this malicious group of people couldn't be forced to leave as it would be a "logistical" problem for the rangers to make them leave as they were all too intoxicated to drive. This after two nights of problems with this group and multiple complaints from other campers.

I've never been one to preach about how some of the parents involved with this sport are raising their children but this weekend was an eye opening experience (Idiocracy at it's finest, if you're familiar with the movie). It is extremely sad to see how some of these so called parents are raising their children. I'm not sure but maybe they are grooming them to be the next drive through order takers or striving to keep our prison system populated and active. But hey, who cares as long as they make the intermediate class and can scrub a jump!? Who cares if these half grown men enjoy choking a fourteen year old girl or coercing them to drink to the point of hospitalization, right? But the most amazing part is that not only do the parents seem to advocate this behavior, they participate as well. The parents (adults would probably be a better term as I didn't witness much parenting) were going to try to have their child place me under a citizen's arrest for pulling him off of my niece as he was trying to strangle her. This of course would be after they were helping the children fill water balloons to randomly throw at unsuspecting camps, vehicles and people. The "child" is very lucky that my wife restrained me from any violence after assaulting my niece.

Don't get me wrong. I understand being a teenager. I had my day performing juvenile pranks. These acts were different. This is psychopathic behavior that is being bred and instilled in these children. If I had acted that way towards anyone, especially a female, when I was younger my father would have buried me in the back yard. Instead, the adults of this group were applauding their efforts.

I caution the racers, their families, promoters, sponsors and vendors to look on how these incidents reflect upon such a great family sport.

It's depressing to feel that I can not have my family at the races to support me because I'm no longer confident that they are in a safe environment.

So long Hangtown.

[countrykid631]

that bad?!

[Larry63r]

This sounds very simular to the things that happened in Plymouth in the 70's.

[sean 252]

Originally Posted by Larry63r

This sounds very simular to the things that happened in Plymouth in the 70's.

This is exactly what happened at Plymouth...My dad didnt restrain himself ,,along with another dad we were there with and they did take care of the issue..But like Chris we never went back because of it...You can see who the ****heads are? I dont get why they (Law Enf) play the not do anything card now....Washougal doesnt allow Drinking Chris,,they check every car....So you get a totally different crowd...The sad part is we have a few beers every year at HT (for 30 yrs) And never have acted like animals???WTF?

[tractionaction]

Originally Posted by Racer799

I was told by the park rangers that this malicious group of people couldn't be forced to leave as it would be a "logistical" problem for the rangers to make them leave as they were all too intoxicated to drive.

Why wasn't the Sheriff called?

Originally Posted by Racer799

The parents (adults would probably be a better term as I didn't witness much parenting) were going to try to have their child place me under a citizen's arrest for pulling him off of my niece as he was trying to strangle her.

No arrest was made? That is BS. However, I wasn't there. Again, call the Sheriff, give them the opportunity to act. That is why we have law enforcement!!!!!

[RickyD]

Yeah this is kind of why I drove up from the bay Area both Saturday and Sunday, I don't like dealing w/drunks. I see it up on the Delta all the time, not my bag.

You know, they say revenge is a meal best served cold. I would of found him at at a later time, done something and got out.

I agree on the no alchohol, or wish they would make beers at least $10 a pop, hopefully less would be bought then.

[kawak317]

Sorry for the bad experience however either you can't tell a story very well in your frame of mind or something doesn't add up?

Someone assualted your fourteen yr old niece? Was she also the one being coreced to drink? I'm not following. If we know anything around here it's that Park rangers and local sherffs would love to show up and crack some heads if something like that was happening for no reason. Sounds like there might have been two sides to the story?

Besides if it was a one sided affair and someone had done that to my family someone from the other group would have watched Hangtown from a body bag. They may have gotten me eventually but someone was paying.

Not that it matters but a little clarity would be helpful. Sounds like somethings missing.

[osulli170]

the rangers not taking action doesnt add up..

we had about six people in our group (all above the age of 21), just sitting there and talking and not being loud, and we had a ranger come over tell us that they have gotten a lot of complaints from this "area" and that we need to pack it up..

we were on the other side of the bathrooms where the kid(s) were filling up water ballons and could tell that some people werent happy with him throwing them..

also the reason Washougal doesnt allow alcohol is that a few years back they pretty much had a brawl at the end of the day after the amature races..

sorry about your experience as nobody should have to go through that..

[sean 252]

also the reason Washougal doesnt allow alcohol is that a few years back they pretty much had a brawl at the end of the day after the amature races..

sorry about your experience as nobody should have to go through that..Ryan that proves my point then why they did it and how it fixed it...The bummer is, I like to have a few beers, be mellow, hang with buddies without any BS? I am with Chris on his whole intended point...When we were kids we never disrespected adults, never did shiiit like this..We had our share of trouble but it wasnt invading campsites, vandalizing property, or challenging adults... I am a huge law enforcement supporter,,but in TODAYS Enviroment I dont see them getting in the face of assswipes until something goes to far....I see it everyday in my town,,I call the sheriffs office monthly to see when they are gonna get rid of the gang bangers on the corners...."CANT DO ANYTHING"...I know the officers would like to? It is our current Liberal Courts and BS that prevent it...

[RickyD]

On the other Hand, met some very nice people that were next to us, turns out they were cheerin on #509 Adam Miller too, had a good time! Our group had NorCal, SoCal and even NV in it, good times!