They drive the hot cars. They get pulled over constantly. But unlike illegal street racers, their engines are cooled.

"We don't understand why these idiots street race, and when I see it happen or even hear someone squel their tires, it makes me sick to my stomach," says Sam, one of about 40 Mississauga members in the Toronto Civics Club (TCC). "It gives all of us a bad name."

The TCC isn't even a year old. It was established last August, and includes owners and car enthusiasts residing in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Some members are as young as 17; some are in their 40's. Some members work as bank tellers; others as cops. Some cars have more than $20,000 worth of extra work on them; some have been left stock.

The GTA members hold weekly meetings; the most recent one was held Monday at the Home Depot parking lot in the Winston Churchil Blvd. and Hwy. 401 area.

Sam -- who like his fellow club members, only wanted his first name used for fear that his valuable car will be stolen, said street racers, the majority of whom drive souped up cars, have given police, the media, and the public the impression that every souped-up car must be involved in this "impromptu" street racing.

"That's just not the case," said Sam. "We genuinely enjoy designing our cars and helping each other with their cars. That's what it's all about."

Sam can't understand why these speed demons can't drive to Toronto Motorsports Park, about an hour west of Mississauga, where racing is sanctioned.

Members understand that there are safety issues with some of their cars, and police have to inspect and often times, lay a charge.

But TCC member Alan, of Scarborough, said he's been pulled over at least six times for no reason.

"You have to take the good with the bad, I guess," he said. "The sad truth is we drive these cars that everyone, including the cops, have made out to be dangerous and unsafe," he said. "people don't realize the good we do for the community."

TCC keeps in contact with Police and Communities Educating Racers (PACER), a joint forces police enforcement program designed to discourage street racing.

At the next big car show at Toronto Motorsports Park, TCC hopes to raise money for the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.