NEWS RELEASE
COLORADO STATE PATROL
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Start your engines, the opening night of Take it to the Track is Wednesday, April 26, from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m., at Bandimere Speedway located at 3051 S. Rooney Road, Morrison. The Colorado State Patrol has partnered with Bandimere Speedway for 19 years so drivers of legal age can come and legally race down the quarter-mile at full speed in a controlled environment.
Traffic deaths surged across Colorado in 2022 hitting a 41-year high and speeding was a major factor in fatalities. For a number of our youngest drivers, street racing also remains a serious high-risk activity for them, their spectators and the general public.
“Street racing is a dangerous game with lethal consequences. That’s why troopers are happy to donate their time to these weekly events,” said Sgt. Bonnie Collins, Colorado State Patrol. “Drivers of all ages can bring their friends, race each other and even race a trooper – we don’t mind ‘losing’ as long as the racing is done legally and not on the public roadways.”
In 2022, Troopers top citation for drivers between the ages of 16-21 was speeding (7,093) and when troopers investigated fatal crashes speeding was found to be the second highest causal factor for at-fault drivers in this same age group. The Colorado State Patrol supports Take it to the Track as the right way to hang with friends and show them what your car can do.
“Investigating a fatal crash is a necessary part of my work as a Colorado State Trooper, and the tragedy of a life lost never becomes routine,” explains Sgt. Collins. “Speed eventually will change your life. This behavior will catch up with you with the loss of your license or the loss of a life.”
“The Colorado State Patrol Take it to the Track events are the best part of our summer as we truly value the opportunity to make an impact in the community and in the lives of so many individuals,” General Manager Sporty Bandimere added. “At Bandimere Speedway, safety has been the focus since 1958 while giving the ability to people of any age, any vehicle, a haven to play and experience the automobile is what we continue to do.”
With the exception of June 14, June 21, July 12 and July 19, the Colorado State Patrol Take It To The Track Test nights will be held every Wednesday, beginning April 26 and running until Oct. 11. Racing begins at 4 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m. For more information visit www.bandimere.com.
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