You are correct... when it comes down to it, it is a public street which has laws, and racing is breaking those laws. There are plenty of arguements we can come up with but when it comes down to it, if you take part in street racing, regardless of where it is, it's illegal.
Doesn't mean people aren't going to do it - same as drugs or stealing or killing. But if you get caught, there's no point bitching and complaining, because i..t i..s i..l..l..e..g..a..l
However I do feel that there is a difference between say going on an organised orderly car cruise, and fast 'n' furious style closed street racing. I guess they think that a group of cars on a cruise are out to go street racing... that's what I find annoying.
my 2c