Teacher Allegedly Rents Toyota Supra on Turo to Compete in Land Speed Record Competition

Introduction

A high school teacher from California has been accused of renting a Toyota Supra on the peer-to-peer car sharing platform Turo to compete in a land speed record competition. According to reports, the teacher allegedly rented the vehicle from Turo for $600 a day and then competed in the Mojave Magnum land speed record competition. The incident has raised concerns about the safety implications of peer-to-peer car sharing platforms.

The Allegations

The allegations against the teacher stem from an incident that occurred in September 2021. According to reports, the teacher rented a 2020 Toyota Supra from Turo, a peer-to-peer car sharing platform. The rental agreement stated that the vehicle was not to be used for racing or any other form of competition. However, the teacher allegedly used the vehicle to compete in the Mojave Magnum land speed record competition, which took place on the dry lake bed in Mojave, California.

As per the rules of the competition, each driver was allowed to make two runs down a 1.5-mile course to determine their top speed. On his first run, the teacher allegedly reached a speed of 140 mph. On his second run, however, he lost control of the vehicle and crashed it into the side of the course. Fortunately, the teacher was not injured in the crash but the vehicle suffered significant damage.

The Response

Following the incident, Turo released a statement condemning the teacher’s actions. The statement read, “Turo’s community guidelines clearly state that our vehicles are not to be used for racing or any other form of competition. We take these violations very seriously and have suspended the renter’s account while we investigate the incident further.”

The Mojave Magnum land speed record competition also released a statement condemning the teacher’s actions. The statement read, “We have strict rules in place to ensure the safety of all participants and spectators. All drivers are required to sign a waiver acknowledging that they will not use any vehicle for racing or any other form of competition. We are extremely disappointed that a participant would knowingly violate these rules.”

The Safety Implications

The incident has raised concerns about the safety implications of peer-to-peer car sharing platforms like Turo. Critics argue that these platforms lack the safety controls that are in place for traditional car rental companies. For example, rental car companies typically conduct background checks on renters and have strict policies in place regarding the use of their vehicles. In contrast, peer-to-peer car sharing platforms often do not have any such controls in place.

Furthermore, the incident highlights the potential dangers of using vehicles for high-speed competitions. Land speed record competitions are inherently dangerous and require drivers to have a high level of skill and experience. Using rental vehicles in such competitions is particularly risky as these vehicles may not be designed for high-speed driving and may not be equipped with the necessary safety features.

Conclusion

The incident involving the teacher who allegedly rented a Toyota Supra on Turo to compete in a land speed record competition has raised concerns about the safety implications of peer-to-peer car sharing platforms. While Turo has condemned the teacher’s actions and suspended his account, the incident highlights the lack of safety controls that are in place for these platforms. It also underscores the potential dangers of using vehicles for high-speed competitions. In order to ensure the safety of drivers and the public, it is important for peer-to-peer car sharing platforms to have strict policies in place regarding the use of their vehicles, and for individuals to exercise caution when participating in high-speed competitions.

Sources:

1. https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a37724700/turo-renter-toyota-supra-crash-land-speed-record-event/
2. https://jalopnik.com/high-school-teacher-allegedly-rents-toyota-supra-on-turo-1847666679
3. https://www.autoblog.com/2021/10/01/turo-rental-crash-mojave-speed-event/