In researching data for this paper I spent one evening participating in the activities of the West Side Low-Rider club. Information was also gathered through my experience of living in the area where the group hangs out, West Asheville. My informant is a friend of mine who is also a member of the group. With his help I was able to move freely among club members. The focus of the paper is in the symbol which the automobile represents for the driver and how club members alter or customize the symbol to obtain status.

The West Side Low-Rider club was established in 1991. The group was started by two brothers, Bobby and Sid. Together with five of their friends, the two men have created what is considered one of the largest low-rider club in North Carolina. Although originating in the southwest among Latinos, low-riding became popular in Asheville in the mid seventies, and now there are three well established groups in Buncombe county. All of the clubs are based in West Asheville, which lies across the French Broad River, from the business district of Asheville. Other than occasional

The notion that women are not to be permitted into the club is interesting, as they are the vehicle through which members achieve ultimate pleasure and status. I speculate that this notion is much like one reason in which many Muslim women wear the veil. In order to relieve men from being distracted by their desire for women, a veil is worn to allow free movement of all. The exclusion of women from the club, allows it's male members to interact without competing for the affection of female members. In Bedouin society one reason for wearing the veil is it's representation of women as a separate class from men. The West Side members suggest the same separation ideas in stating that women do not need to get dirty while working on cars.

The Taco Bell parking lot is considered the best on Patton avenue, as it sits at the starting line of the drag strip. Watching close to fifteen tire screeching take offs, I became amazed at the intensity of the whole thing. My friends explained to me that it's pretty much the same thing as arm wrestling and you must do it to get respect. I was reminded of a pageant of sorts. The police issue a serious fine for drag racing and their presence in the area add to a heightened since of excitement. I never got to participate in a drag race, regretfully.

The division between West Asheville and the rest of Asheville is an interesting one. As my informant stated above, there are apparent differences in the way the two sides of town view themselves. Asheville has always been a major tourist destination; fifteen years ago, however, the tourist began to stay year round. The city welcomed the mostly wealthy new residents, by catering to the needs of the many new housing developments which began springing up around the downtown area. In an exodus reminiscent of "white flight," the old residents began moving to the less populated areas surrounding the city. It is this resentment for the rest of Asheville which led to the naming of West Side Low- Rider club, which is called by most, West Side.

Perhaps one reason for the establishment of the West Side low-rider club is the cruising phenomena which takes place on Patton Avenue. Every Friday and Saturday night hundreds of young people, roughly between 14 and 25years old, drive up and down Patton Avenue, hanging from their cars, drag racing, and having a good time. Local store owners report that the young people have been doing this for roughly twenty years. Complaining about the traffic created by the influx of cars in weekend, many feel the police should end the practice all together. That sentiment is not shared by all however, many fast food restaurants and gas station employees feel the kids are just having a good time, a woman at the Amoco station on Patton explained, "I know I'd rather my kids be down here cruisen and raisen hell than off drinken and driven round the mountains .... kids don't usually get killed in accidents down here." The police are visible all along Patton Avenue

Performance of the automobile is equally as important to the enthusiast, looking for more than a "lot ride... which sits pretty but runs like *censored*." Maintaining a car's engine and other parts requires a knowledge of mechanics which is coveted by many members of the group. Members of the club notorious for mechanical knowledge are revered. The top speed and rate of acceleration are two mechanical aspects which take precedence among low-riders, as drag racing is the primary form of competition among the group. Exchange of mechanical service for goods often takes place allowing for the group to contain it's knowledge and allegiance to their friends in the club.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Patton Avenue, Low- Rider, West Asheville, Taco Bell, Casper Low-riders, Car Stereos, Experience West, Star Wars, North Carolina, Rap/Hip Hop, patton avenue, low-rider club, drag racing, west asheville, west low-rider club, west low-rider, informant told, cool ride, taco bell, form competition, friend casper,
Approximate Word count = 2570
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)