Original subtitles

One-Adam-12, One-Adam-12,

a 211 in progress.

One-Adam-12, handle code 3.

♪♪

One-Adam-12, One-Adam-12,

meet 1L20 on tact 2.

One-Adam-12, Roger.

One-Adam-12 to L20, go.

L20. We just received a call.

Your boys are at it again on Commerce Street.

One-Adam-12, Roger.

What's your plan?

You take the east end with Xray 14.

We'll cover the west. Let me know when you're ready.

One-Adam-12, Roger.

ETA about two minutes.

What's the matter with those knuckleheads?

They promised.

I'll give you odds

Fat Charlie's right in the middle.

10-4, Bill. 20 and Xray 14.

We're moving in.

One-Adam-12, Roger.

Here they come.

This is going to cost you your license, Greg. Come on.

I'm amazed, Malloy.

Imagine, a drag on a public street,

and after all your good PR work, too.

When you get over your amazement,

see if you can find your way to the station.

We'll handle the impound.

Load them up, partner.

Oh, come on now. Don't look so glum.

We all know it was going to happen.

It's like I said before,

the only thing these kids understand

is good strong enforcement.

That'll stop your drags on the street.

Goodbye, Wells.

Okay, okay.

Bitter defeat, huh?

Only if you swallow it.

Wells has taken the other two in.

What did you turn here?

Uh, these three.

Two on the line for the next run and the starter.

What about Fat Charlie?

He's innocent as a baby, as usual.

Just here as a spectator.

I thought you said you had him on our side.

Yeah. I was under the same impression.

Well, should we give them the news?

Yeah, not that they deserve it.

I thought you said you had better things to do

than bust a bunch of dudes dragging.

While we're on the subject,

I remember a meeting we had two weeks ago

where you guys promised to keep your race cars off the street.

Kind of looks like the boys got tired of waiting, doesn't it?

Putting together an association of car clubs

and lining up a drag strip takes time, Charlie.

You went with us, Spider. Did you tell them?

Well, there wasn't too much to tell, Pete.

Uh, all Benson said was that he'd think it over.

That's what he's been saying for years.

Benson ain't going to let us use that strip,

- and you know it. - No, he's not.

I thought we could show him we're organized

with a charter and coverage.

Which came through today.

You're kidding.

It's all at the station, neat and legal.

That's great. You hear that, Charlie?

Yeah, I heard. I'm not deaf.

So we got the papers.

That don't mean anything unless we got a place to run.

And I still say Benson ain't going to come through.

We have a meeting with him tomorrow, Charlie.

Do we quit in an hour,

or do you want to give it a try?

Spider?

My club's been waiting a long time for this.

Come on. We can at least see what Benson has to say.

What about you, Donny?

Yeah, I... Well, I guess so.

Well, you know, my guys would rather be on the strip

- than the street. - They have any idea

of the bread they're going to have to lay out

just to get through a safety check at that strip?

They know, Fats. But I figure it's worth it.

Come on. What do you say?

Looks like I'm outvoted.

There's just something about him I don't like, Pete.

He's got a lot to lose, maybe.

What do you mean?

Fat Charlie's been in the street racing circuit

six years that I know about.

He's got a fair-sized following.

He's afraid we're going to cut into his action.

But all we're trying to do is help him get organized, Pete.

Well, maybe that's exactly what he doesn't want.

As long as he can keep these kids

splintered off into small groups,

he's the only one that can organize a street race.

Charges them a few bucks to run and pockets the money.

Yeah. No association fund to keep him honest.

That's right, but he's a big man.

These kids look up to him.

They don't care what happens to the bread

as long as they get to drag their cars.

Well, we've got one choice...

That's to keep Fat Charlie on our side.

That's going to depend a lot on Benson tomorrow.

Well, now, if it isn't our two social workers.

Mac tells me you're still going to go through with it.

We're going to try. Want to give us a hand?

No, thank you. I have a motto...

Never join a loser.

When are you guys going to wake up?

You're the heat.

The kids don't dig you.

I disagree.

Well, we all have our opinion.

But I speak from experience.

There's only one thing these kids understand,

and that's this.

There's no social work to it.

They get out of line, they get a ticket.

I leave the bleeding heart routine to somebody else.

Thank you. We accept.

Think it'll fly?

Pete?

Yeah, it's about that time.

What are you doing?

You, uh...

You might call it wishful thinking,

but if Benson comes through,

this old girl's going to be back on the drag strip.

You're kidding.

This thing hasn't run since I've known you.

That's because she had a blown engine.

And he suckered me

into helping him rebuild it.

Would you believe?

This heap might have a chance.

Who's going to be the wheel man?

Who else?

He said he was pretty good in high school.

That was a while ago.

Oh, come on, Pete. It's like swimming.

Once you learn it, you got it.

Okay, if you say so.

You guys better get cleaned up.

We got 30 minutes will the meet with Benson.

You really think we have a chance with him?

The papers are in the car.

That's what he asked for the last time.

He shooed us off so many times before,

I... I just can't believe it's happening.

I mean, like, you know, why should he?

We're going to convince him.

I'm not convinced yet, Malloy.

Why? It's all there, everything you asked for...

Association charter, insurance coverage...

- Yeah, it's a start. - A start?

It's what you said we had to have

the last time we were here.

What is this anyway, another stall?

Wait a minute.

I've got a business to run here,

and I'm not going to jeopardize it

so a bunch of wildcat hot rodders

can drag once a week.

Uh, Mr. Benson, this thing means a lot to these kids.

I'm sure that Spider didn't mean to get all steamed up.

We're agreeable to whatever you want.

You just name it.

I know how badly these kids want to run their cars,

but my first obligation is to the drag strip.

I can't take any chances

with putting this operation in jeopardy.

I got enough problems with the complaints.

From who?

Everybody who lives within 5 miles of here.

Noise?

Mm, not so much that.

It's before and after an event,

the kids take their cars

through the surrounding neighborhoods, you know,

gunning their engines, peeling rubber,

dragging. I get it from my own wife.

We live in the area.

We can stay on top of that, Mr. Benson.

I can speak with the other club presidents.

We'll just lay it out to the guys.

I don't know. It...

It's your reputation

as much as anything else we have to fight.

Fat Charlie has succeeded

in starting a war in the area over his street drags.

That's a reputation we want to stop, too, Mr. Benson.

Our captain's behind us 100%.

We believe if there's a place

for the clubs to run their cars,

it'll keep them off the street.

What about those cars?

You know, those wildcat dragsters only get close

to meeting the safety requirements.

We're planning a safety clinic.

The cars will be checked and corrected,

or they don't get on the strip.

You're going to have to satisfy my safety manual.

We understand that.

What do you say?

I can depend on no more drags in the street?

Yes, sir.

All right, we'll, uh,

give you a try. Thursday.

Bring your cars out to the pit area today.

I'll turn it over to you,

and you can work on them there.

Thank you, sir.

Great.

Again, Pete, I turned some really good times

in that old gal before I blew the engine.

And now it's back together?

Yeah, more or less.

I still want to mess with the timing some.

The guy down the street

said he'd give you a really good deal

on some racing tires.

Let me ask you something.

If you're such an expert on cars,

how come every time this one breaks down,

you're stuck for a way to get the hood up?

Oh, I'm a specialist, Pete.

I only work on sophisticated, highly tuned race cars.

I see.

Hey, you want to drop by the track during 7?

It's only a couple of miles from here.

Okay.

This is One-Adam-12 requesting code 7

at 1217 Mayberry Street.

One-Adam-12, okay 7.

Spider tells us you scored.

That's right. The strip's all ours.

That gives us two days

to get our cars up to their safety standards.

Never thought I'd live to see it.

You sure he won't back out?

He has no reason to back out.

Did you tell him the conditions?

We had a meeting with the club president this afternoon.

Laid it out to him just like Mr. Benson said.

Okay. If you don't violate Benson's trust,

you got a good thing going.

I just can't see why he's doing it now.

Because we're playing it straight with him, Charlie.

That's never been done before.

One street drag... just one...

And the whole deal goes down the sewer.

You understand?

Okay, man. We can dig it.

You got the rope. I'm playing your game.

What were you and Wells so intent about?

It's the longest conversation I've seen you two have

since I've known you.

I'm just setting him up

for a little shellacking, Pete.

I'm sure I'm not going to like the end of this story.

It's perfectly harmless.

When I told him that we had the drag strip,

he offered to race me in his kid brother's car.

What did you do,

slap him twice across the face

with your official asbestos driving gloves?

No. I put it

more in the category of a personal challenge.

But he still hasn't changed his attitude.

Thinks we're bananas.

Would still like the chance of wiping you out, huh?

Yeah.

Got any idea what his kid brother drives?

A B-modified production car, same as mine.

I'm not too worried.

This is something I got to see.

I can get a look at his rig tomorrow at the safety check.

Hey, listen, Pete, don't sweat it.

This is the chance I've been waiting for...

A good clean shot at him without any clear reprisal.

- I can handle it. - I think I'll tag along.

You fix the oil line?

Yeah, and the traction bars.

How much time you got?

About an hour before roll call.

All right. We'll stay on it.

Looks like he meant business.

Yeah. I was hoping he did.

Fellow dragsters,

I assume this is the spot for the safety check.

You got it.

You think that, uh, heap can pass?

Reed, my boy, not only will it pass,

but come tomorrow you're going to be smelling my rubber.

This is Spider Watson. He's running the clinic.

Ed Wells.

We met before.

Right, Spider?

Yeah, we have.

I got a few tickets to show for it.

But none of them undeserved, right?

No, I had them coming.

It's just, uh, the way you enjoy your job that bugs me.

Hope that attitude of his doesn't get in the way

when he's checking the wheels.

Oh, Spider wouldn't let his personal opinions

get in his way.

Do I detect a hint of sarcasm, Malloy?

I don't know. Do you?

Hey, we got company.

Mr. Benson, everything seem all right?

Looks pretty good, Pete. I'm sorry to say

I'm here for a different reason.

What's up?

Uh, the drag for tomorrow.

We're going to have to call it off.

I knew it was too good to believe.

Donny! Spider!

Wait a minute, Charlie.

Let's hear what the man has to say.

Look, I know just how you feel.

Believe me, I don't have any choice.

There's no equipment left to run a drag.

What happened?

Somebody cut the padlock last night

and broke into the timing tower.

The timers, the PA system, everything's gone.

Did you report it?

Yeah. Called the police from the office.

I'm sorry. That's it. No equipment, no race.

Is there any way we can borrow some?

Not that I know of. I tried already.

The best I could do

is reorder the equipment from the manufacturer.

Well, then it's not a closed issue.

When you get set up again, the guys can run.

Absolutely. I gave you my word.

The manufacturer's got a special rush on the equipment.

I should have it the day after tomorrow at the latest.

We can run Friday.

Yeah, if you can reschedule from tomorrow.

Can you do it?

You bet. It's as good as done.

All right.

I'll see you Friday.

He's done it again.

You guys are getting stiffed,

but you're too dumb to see it.

We believe him. There's no reason not to.

There's plenty of reason.

Now he's a fink,

and he's going to keep putting you off forever.

I think we can wait till Friday to decide that.

Wait, then.

Just don't waste my time

with this fancy safety clinic.

It's going nowhere.

Donny.

Don't tell me he's got you suckered, too.

You give up pretty easy, don't you, Charlie?

Look, I know an ace when I see it, Malloy.

If Benson comes through, I'll be here.

But you can take my word for it,

we ain't never gonna use this strip.

Pete, Spider Watson for you on line 3.

Oh, thanks.

Spider? Yeah, what's up?

How long ago?

And where are you now?

No, no. We'll meet you there.

Yeah.

Spider got a rumble

that Charlie's setting up a drag on East Avenue.

Couldn't wait, huh?

Remember when I told you

there was something I didn't like about Fat Charlie?

- Yeah. - I just pinned it down.

Looks like we got here a little too late.

One-Adam-12 to 14. The pair just went off.

What are you running for, Donny?

When I saw it was you,

I didn't want you to know I was in on it.

I guess your boys can't keep a bargain, huh?

I'm sorry, Mr. Benson.

I thought we could count on them.

What are you doing here?

I happen to live on this block.

And you can tell these boys the strip is out, permanently.

- Wait a minute, Mr. Benson. - What is it now?

We'd like a chance to explain before you close the doors.

There's nothing to explain. I've seen enough.

I swear to you, Mr. Benson. We weren't in on this drag.

Tell him, Donny.

I didn't know you lived her, Mr. Benson.

I wouldn't have gotten involved if I did.

But the deal was no street drags anywhere.

Tell him who set it up, Donny!

It was Fat Charlie.

He said you were just stalling.

We should have the drags anyway.

I didn't know you lived around here.

I wouldn't have gotten involved if I did.

I mean, well, having the drags was bad enough.

Don't you see, Mr. Benson?

Fat Charlie set this up knowing you lived here.

He doesn't want us to run on your strip.

This was a special show just for you.

I can't buy that. Where's Fat Charlie now?

I found these in the back of Charlie's car.

Kind of clears a few things up.

What are you talking about?

When I told Charlie our SID experts

could tie his bolt cutters to your padlock,

he started talking.

You mean these, uh, boys here

are the ones that broke into my timing tower?

Not all of them. Just one.

Your equipment's in Charlie's garage.

A warrant will have it out in the morning.

Why... Why would he do it?

Well, he figured without starting lights and timers,

there couldn't be any drags.

Then, when he heard you had more equipment coming,

he had to come up with something else,

so the drag in your neighborhood.

That's what Spider here's been trying to sell me.

Has he got you sold?

All right. On the tower side,

the left turn, 13:03

with 115.33 miles per hour.

On the spectator side, 11:83

with 114.53 miles per hour.

We've had some good time trials

here today, ladies and gentlemen.

Elapsed time 7:50.

186.66 miles per hour

by Gus Archer in his Funny Car.

And an ET of 8:84.

153.32 miles per hour by Brian Overton.

For safety's sake,

the White Whale is here today,

should anyone say hello to the rails.

Next on the spectator side, Al Green.

A little squirrelly in his last turn.

On the tower side,

Smiling Donny Simmons.

Into their bug-out.

Heating up those tires,

opening up the pores in the rubber.

They get in the most complete direction

for that slingshot start.

Spider has them staged and ready.

All right. On the spectator side, 14:79.

97.29 miles per hour.

And Donny Simmons on the tower side,

with a 12:35.

That's 123.25 miles per hour.

Remember, gentlemen,

we don't care how fast you go down the track,

but on the return trip to the pit area,

the speed is 20 miles per hour or less.

Once in the pit, the speed is 5 miles an hour.

This is for your safety and for the safety of others.

Remember, there are children running around back there.

I have to admit, those kids are just about

as well organized as I've seen.

They should be. They've had a lot of practice.

Next in the prestage area are two police officers

from the Los Angeles Police Department.

My spies tell me this is a grudge race.

On the spectator side, Officer Ed Wells.

He guarantees us his car is super hard.

On the tower side, Officer Jim Reed.

It was Jim and his partner Pete Malloy...

And of course our boss Mr. Benson...

That made this whole race possible today.

Hold it, Spider. Hold!

The man doesn't have a helmet.

No helmet, no race.

Where's your helmet?

I didn't know.

Here. You can use mine.

Thanks, man.

I'm afraid Officer Wells,

who bombs out at the light,

has come to a kill.

All right. On the tower side,

Officer Reed with an elapsed time of 11:11.

128.35 miles per hour.

Any time you're ready, Officer Wells.

Closed-Captioned By J.R. Media Services, Inc. Burbank, CA