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Drag Races Against the Cops? Yup!

Seriously, you can try to “top the cops” in the only legal drag races in the Bay
By - posted 6/24/2018 No Comment

The popular Wednesday Night Drags program will kick off its 30th consecutive year at Sonoma Raceway on March 14, 2018.

Top The Cops:
High school students will drag race against Bay Area law enforcement officers when the popular Top the Cops program returns as part of Sonoma Raceway’s weekly Wednesday Night Drags program, April 11, 2018.

The Top the Cops program, which enters its 25th season this year, offers an alternative to illegal street racing and gives teens the chance to race against law enforcement officers, who compete in full uniform in their official vehicles on the quarter-mile drag strip. The program also provides a unique environment for the officers to talk with teens about safe driving and the rules of the road.

2018 “Top the Cops” Insane (But Legal) Drag Races vs. Cops
Most Wednesdays, March 14 – Nov. 14, 2018 | 4 to 10 pm (Gates open at 3:30 pm)
Highways 37 and 121, Sonoma
$10 for spectators; $25 competitors, $15 for student competitors w/ high school student ID

View Drag Race Schedule

The raceway will open its gates most every Wednesday night from March 14 – Nov. 14 for fans who would like to race down the world-famous quarter-mile drag strip.

What to Expect at Wednesday Night Drags

Getting Here:

  • The main entrance at Gate 1 on Highway 121 at 3:30 pm
  • Pay for your ticket at the gate – $25 to race; $15 to race with High School ID; $10 for spectators

Pre-Race:

  • Follow the signs to “Tech” to get your car teched
  • Once your car passes the simple tech inspection, a tech inspector will direct you to the staging lanes

Get Ready for Your First Run:

  • Wait for your class’ turn in the staging lanes
  • Practice/time runs start at 4 pm and end at 7 pm
  • There will be 2-3 runs before the first round of eliminations
  • Drag racing staff can help you with staging your car at the starting line.
  • After each run you’ll receive a time slip with your elapsed time and speed on the quarter-mile.

First Round of Eliminations:

  • Eliminations start at 7 pm
  • Make it to the final four in your class and receive a trophy. Remember, it’s all about being consistent and getting good reaction times on the tree.

Anyone with a driver’s license can compete, providing their vehicle or motorcycle passes a simple technical inspection. All vehicles must have mufflers. The event attracts a varied crowd, including teenagers, mothers, working professionals and grandparents racing everything from Corvettes to Mini-Vans. Three-hundred cars are allowed to compete each Wednesday night. The weekly event attracts an average of 900-1,200 people (competitors and spectators).