no kid is going to drive an hour+ and pay $100 fee to go race they will set up on some street that's closer and free. also, the street races gather huge crowds of other younger people (girls) so nobody wants to go pay to race where none of their friends are watching.
Arguably we should set up drag strips (formal, or perhaps impromptu where feasible to do safely) in easy to reach locations, charge nothing for entry, and often.
that's what the NHRA did in 1951, we've come full circle...
But also, by definition, anything other than the basic stock car is illegal to street in California.
dang, so literally any tune or other aftermarket mods are not street legal in CA? another reason not to move to SV I guess.