`FUNNY CAR' DRIVER GIVES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SOME STRAIGHT TALK ON VALUE OF . . . CROSSING THE FINISH LINE.Byline: John Huddy Daily News Staff Writer Imagine flying down a racetrack in a nitro-fueled ``funny car'' with more than eight times the force of gravity pushing at you. Students at Agoura High School Agoura High School is a four-year high school, freshman-senior, in Agoura Hills, California, United States. It is the largest high school in the Las Virgenes Unified School District, with an enrollment of approximately 2,400 students. got a pretty good idea what it was like Friday, even though they didn't actually burn rubber. Gary Densham, a professional drag racer racer, name for several related swift, slender snakes, especially those of the genus Coluber. All of the racers are nonpoisonous, nonconstricting, day-active snakes. The black racer, C. , travels to high schools throughout California California (kăl'ĭfôr`nyə), most populous state in the United States, located in the Far West; bordered by Oregon (N), Nevada and, across the Colorado River, Arizona (E), Mexico (S), and the Pacific Ocean (W). . He was taking a break from his racing career and life as ``the world's fastest teacher'' to talk with students a little about racing and a lot about life. ``I'm trying to tell kids the same things parents or teachers do,'' Densham said. ``I tell them about how important it is to stay in school and set goals for yourself.'' Jeff Turabaz, 17, was fascinated with Densham's beefed-up dragster drag·ster n. 1. An automobile specially built or modified for drag racing. 2. A person who races such an automobile. - complete with racing tires, a torqued-out engine and the kind of speed that even John Glenn would admire. ``I've seen these cars in action,'' Turabaz said. ``It's very impressive how everything runs so perfect on a good day.'' Ian Sorensen, 17, a student in the advanced electronics class at Agoura High School, was also impressed im·press 1 tr.v. im·pressed, im·press·ing, im·press·es 1. To affect strongly, often favorably: . ``I like the design aspect,'' said Sorensen, who admitted that he sometimes fantasizes about getting behind the wheel of a funny car. ``I would definitely drive one.'' Turabaz and Sorensen were among more than 30 other students in John Anderson's auto technology classes who were listening to Densham on Friday morning. Anderson said Densham is one of several racing drivers racing driver n (BRIT) → corredor(a) m/f de coches racing driver racing n (Brit) → pilote m de course and teams who have talked with Agoura High students in recent years as part of the school's partnership with outreach Outreach is an effort by an organization or group to connect its ideas or practices to the efforts of other organizations, groups, specific audiences or the general public. programs. Densham's visit was part of a school outreach program sponsored by the Automobile Club of Southern California The Automobile Club of Southern California was founded December 13, 1900 in Los Angeles as one of the nation's first motor clubs dedicated to improving roads, proposing traffic laws and improvement of overall driving conditions. . ``We've brought other race teams in; they have a pretty good message to give to the students,'' said Anderson, who even had the Sheriff's Department's drag-racing team come to the school four years ago. ``The students' interest is really captured. If the program can get through to just a few kids, then it's wonderful.'' Densham was born and raised in Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, . While in high school and college, he raced cars on the weekends at Southern California tracks. After graduating from college and becoming an auto shop teacher, he decided to take a chance behind the wheel of a funny car. Several engines and 28 years later, Densham is still doing what he loves - teaching and racing. ``I tell everyone that I'm taking a year off from teaching to see what I want to do when I grow up,'' he said, laughing. But by the looks of it, Densham has already made up his mind. CAPTION(S): 2 Photos PHOTO (1--Color) Agoura High students inspect drag racer Gary Densham's engine. (2--Color) Densham stresses the importance of safe driving during his visit, part of a school outreach program sponsored by the Automobile Club of Southern California. Andy Holzman/Daily News |
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