SONOMA, Calif. (April 9, 2018) - High school students and Bay Area law enforcement officers will go head to head on Sonoma Raceway's quarter-mile drag strip, as the popular Top the Cops™ program returns next Wednesday, April 11.
Top the Cops, which enters its 24th season this year, is part of the raceway's weekly Sonoma Drags & Drift Program, powered by Universal Technical Institute (UTI). The program offers an alternative to illegal street racing and gives teens the chance to race against local law enforcement officers, who compete in full uniform in their official vehicles. The program also provides a unique environment for the officers to talk with teens about safe driving and the rules of the road.
"The Top the Cops program has allowed for an incredible and unique platform where local officers can connect with young drivers," said retired Santa Rosa police officer and program founder Kevin McKinnie.
Top the Cops will run in conjunction with the Wednesday Night Drags program at Sonoma Raceway, April 11-Aug. 29. Participants must have a current high school identification card and driver's license, and a car that passes a simple technical inspection. Students are given practice runs, which then lead to head-to-head competition against an officer in his/her patrol car.
The six participating law enforcement agencies for 2018 are:
- Sonoma County Sheriff's Dept.
- California Highway Patrol
- Novato Police Dept.
- Fairfield Police Dept.
- Fremont Police Dept.
- Brentwood Police Dept.
Gates open at 3:30 p.m., with racing from 5-10 p.m. Cost is $15 for students (with high school ID card) and $10 for spectators. For more information about the Top the Cops or Wednesday Night Drags program, call 800-870-RACE (7223) or visit www.sonomaraceway.com/track/wednesday_night_drags/. For track weather conditions, please call 800-870-RACE ext. 209.
