It is not punishing an inanimate object. It hits these guys in the pocketbook. They didn't steal the cars......they had stolen parts. Go to the link and actually read the article.
From the article:
Maldonado said he has taken the advice of police by racing legally on one of several race courses around Southern California. For the money spent in fines and other penalties — on average about $5,000 for illegally modified cars — Higbee said street racers could compete about 250 times a year at a legitimate track.
Zavala, who admits he has been involved in street racing, estimates he and his mother spent about $10,000 on improvements to his car.
Hoang said he was caught late last year racing his prized car, on which he spent at least $10,000 to get into top shape. The 350-horsepower engine topped out at 160 mph, Hoang said, swearing it could beat a Corvette or even a Ferrari.
“It is not punishing an inanimate object. It hits these guys in the pocketbook. They didn’t steal the cars......they had stolen parts. Go to the link and actually read the article.”
So charge them with receiving stolen goods and, when you get a conviction, confiscate their cars as proceeds of crime, while they’re in jail. Or maybe you just think that the asset forfeiture laws are A-OK.