With the demise of the Grand Prix of Denver and the loss of popular national events at Pikes Peak International Raceway, Front Range auto racing enthusiasts have to travel or turn on their television to watch big-name oval or road-course races.
Finding places to compete, however, probably is as easy as ever.
PPIR, the 1-mile oval in Fountain, has been turned into an amateur, club-driven facility, and High Plains Raceway, a 2.55-mile paved road course, has been added in Byers.
High Plains, a technical 15-turn course with elevation changes of 300 feet, was funded by various clubs and, like most weekend-geared racing facilities, is available for the general public to use.
All you need is a automobile or a motorcycle, a valid driver’s license, a helmet and time for a brief orientation before signing on the dotted line.
The Track at Centennial just south of the Broncos’ headquarters at Dove Valley offers the state’s finest go-karting opportunities.
Karting remains the best avenue to introduce a youngster to road racing, just as Bandimere Speedway’s junior dragsters are the way to go for newcomers who want to drag race. But there is a style and level for everyone, including beginner motocross at Thunder Valley and introductory oval racing at I-76 Speedway and Colorado National Speedway.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
Start your engines
Want to race? The following Front Range tracks offer introductory to advanced car, motorcycle or motocross racing:
Bandimere Speedway — cars, motorcycles
What: Quarter-mile drag strip in Morrison
Minimum requirements: Vehicle, helmet
Levels: Beginner to professional
Information: 303-697-6001 or
Colorado National Speedway — cars, trucks
What: Three-eights of a mile paved oval in Dacono
Minimum requirements: Vehicle, equipment, orientation
Levels: Beginner to professional
Information: 303-665-4173 or
High Plains Raceway — cars, motorcycles
What: 2.55-mile paved road course in Byers
Minimum requirements: Vehicle, helmet, orientation
Levels: Beginner to advanced
Information: 303-475-8818 or
I-76 Speedway — cars, motorcycles
What: Quarter-mile dirt oval in Fort Morgan
Minimum requirements: Vehicle, equipment, orientation
Levels: Beginner to advanced
Information: 970-867-2101 or
I-25 Speedway — cars
What: Quarter-mile high-banked oval in Bragdon
Minimum requirements: Vehicle, equipment, orientation
Levels: Beginner to advanced
Information: 303-798-4387 or
Pikes Peak International Raceway — cars, motorcycles
What: 1-mile paved oval in Fountain
Minimum requirements: TBD
Levels: Beginner to advanced
Information: 719-382-7223 or
Pueblo Motorsports Park — multifaceted
What: Quarter-mile drag strip and 2.2-mile road course in Pueblo
Minimum requirement: Vehicle, equipment, orientation
Levels: Beginner to advanced
Information: 719-240-4132 or
The Track at Centennial — go-karts
What: Eight-tenths of a mile paved oval in Centennial
Minimum requirements: Brief orientation
Levels: Beginner to advanced
Information: 303-709-9300 or
Thunder Valley — motocross
What: 130-acre motocross park in Lakewood
Minimum requirements: Dirt bike, equipment, orientation
Levels: Beginner to professional
Information: 303-697-1003 or
Compiled by Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
