Any person who, as an operator of a motor vehicle, is convicted of being a participant in drag racing shall be punished as by law provided. "Drag racing" shall mean the act of two (2) or more individuals competing or racing on any street or highway in this state in a situation in which one of the motor vehicles is beside or to the rear of a motor vehicle operated by a competing driver and the one driver attempts to prevent the competing driver from passing or overtaking him, either by acceleration or maneuver, or one or more individuals competing in a race against time on any street or highway in this state. (1972 Code)