WASHINGTON (WJLA) — At a gas station near the Bay Bridge Friday, dozens of mostly young car enthusiasts met up to head to Ocean City for an annual gathering they call H20i.
"We’re just trying to go enjoy the cars, you know, get to know the the DMV cars scene a little more," Brian Richards told ABC7's Brad Bell.
"It's just a bunch of car people that like cars, want to drive and enjoy them," said Alex Marbach. "I don't think there's anything wrong with that."
Ahead of their arrival in Ocean City, the mayor of the resort community says there is plenty wrong with H20i.
RELATED | Ocean City mayor announces efforts in attempt to control 'pop-up car rally'
"It disrupts our entire community it disrupts the opportunity for other visitors to enjoy Ocean City," Mayor Rick Meehan says.
Last year, from Meehan’s perspective, was the worst ever. Up and down Coastal Highway, cars spun their wheels. A pedestrian was hit but not hurt. Clashes with police led to the use of tasers and pepper spray and hundreds of arrests. Meehan said never again.
"What we had to put up with was beyond what we should have to do or any community should have to do," he said.
RELATED | Here's how a 'laid back' H20i car enthusiast gathering in Ocean City became a near riot.
This year, Meehan says will be different. New laws allow police to tow cars when traffic laws are broken.
Seventy-four cars were impounded Thursday night for a variety of violations. Reckless drivers are getting $500 fines. Police from across the region are pouring in to town and, back near the Bay Bridge, Anne Arundel county police are watching a nearby gathering spot.
"Our community is really fed up with this," Meehan says.
But car lovers we spoke to Friday in Annapolis are going anyway.
"They’re just trying to take over and show force and stuff and it's like they’re not gonna be able to," said Marbach. "I mean there’s eight of them and 30 of us."
"We’re just gonna have a nice little chill cruise so OCPD doesn’t get anybody," Richard said.