Passes & Canyons Blog

We had the opportunity to do a lap at the yet-to-open High Plains Raceway today. Yeah, OK, we were in a pick-up and I wasn’t even driving but it was still a blast.

You may recall my last post about this new racetrack, just a few weeks shy of a year ago. I’ve been checking the website periodically but it had been awhile, so I checked again this morning.

Well, blow me away, they’re set to open! Like in about one month. I had to see this so Judy and I climbed on the Kawi and scooted on out there. We saw a truck going around the course, and the gate was open, but we were hesitant. Then a car came heading out and I flagged the folks down to ask. They said to just go on in, that the track manager would be happy to see us and would give us a ride around the track. We went in.

Pulling up at the office, there were two bikes parked there and the silver pick-up. Doug Shaffar is the track manager and he was telling two other bikers about the place at the end of their cruise around. We joined in the conversation, the other two were ready to take off, and Doug said “Get in. Let’s take a ride.”

On the 2.5-mile loop he stopped frequently to explain the lay-out of the track. Early on you come down a nice straightaway right into what he said is called “Danny’s Lesson,” a decreasing radius right-hander that would get your adrenaline pumping just fine if you went into it too fast. On around and up what he called the “High Plains Drift” and through the others of the 15 curves.

We hadn’t counted on anything like this when we headed out. I just figured I wanted to go see it and shoot some pictures. I had dim hopes that I’d find someone I could ask some questions of, but to actually get out on the track and get a full-blown tour was way cool. And guess what? You can do it, too. I asked Doug specifically if it would be OK for me to tell folks they can come out and get the same treatment and he said absolutely. Now, he’s not always there, but if he is, you’re welcome. If you want to call ahead the number is 303-769-4771.

You might want to do it soon, though because in just four weeks racing starts. This may be a brand new track but their weekends are booked from the first of April all the way through November. This track will host both auto and motorcycle events and the first race will be put on by the Sports Car Club of America. The second is a Motorcycle Roadracing Association event. That will be April 11 and 12.

Maybe I’ll see you at the races.

Biker Quote for Today

Thou shalt explore the outer limits of engine-braking, backfire, and hurl fireballs from thy tailpipe.