2 days ago
Motorcycle event an alternative to street racing
RURAL MARION, S.D. (KELO) — Perhaps you've heard at it night while you're trying to fall sleep: street racing.
Law enforcement and lawmakers have taken steps to curb street racing, including a new state law that goes into effect in July.
It's a popular complaint fielded by Sioux Falls Police: motorcycle racing and exhibition driving on city streets.
'So loud engine noises, maybe doing wheelies or stuff like that. Sometimes it's a simulated race where they're driving at a high rate of speed. It may not be an actual race. Sometimes it may be an actual race,' said Sam Clemens with the Sioux Falls Police Department.
But a three-day event at Thunder Valley Dragways near Marion will offer an alternative way to show off your bike.
'You want to race? I love it. I'm all for it, but let's do it in a controlled environment,' Organizer Jarrid Lawrence said.
It's Rally at the Valley put on by Those Guys ABATE.
The event starts Thursday and will give riders a chance to see whose bike is faster.
'As you can see, we have the track, it's all set up and it's a quarter mile track, so bring your buddies out, do it here. We have medical staff on call at all times when you're racing, so this would be a perfect opportunity. It's going to keep them safe, it keeps all the public safe, because they're not going down the streets,' Organizer Crystal Lawrence said.
It's $20 to get in the gate for the whole event.
'Here at the track, we're promoting the fastest bike. We're promoting that grudge match between buddies saying, 'I have the fastest bike in the group.' Well, here instead of getting a ticket from a police officer because you're exhibition driving, you're careless driving, here you're going to get a ticket at the end of the track actually giving you logistics of, 'I am the fastest bike in my group,'' Jerrid Lawrence said.
The event also features live music and camping.
For a full list of events, click here.
A portion of the proceeds will go to Children's Home Society.
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