Some of the more popular areas for illegal racing in the Southwest area of Wichita include Pawnee and Edwards Streets and Pawnee and West Streets. Over the past several months a number of car crashes that resulted in serious injury, and in some cases death, have been linked to excessive speed and illegal street racing.

To educate the public on the dangers of street racing, the Police Department is sponsoring two static displays to give teenagers the opportunity to meet with Police Officers who are drag racing enthusiasts, to get tips on how to get a car "race ready" for the track, and how to drag race safely and legally.

This Friday a static display will be held from 8 PM to midnight at the Village Flea Market at Pawnee and Meridian, and the Southwest Village Neighborhood Association will be serving coffee.

Racecars that will be on display include Wichita Police Department Lt. Sara Morris's 1984 River City Beat the Heat Mustang; a racecar belonging to WPD Officer Richard Schell; and a car that belongs to Wayne Roberts, owner of the Wichita International Raceway, just to name a few.

The car owners are anxious to talk with anyone who is interested in drag racing the safe and legal way, according to Lt. Morris. "We want to interact with the youth and offer them alternatives before we have to resort to a zero tolerance program," she said. The High School Drags are slated for May 17, 2002, at the Wichita International Raceway located ½ mile west of 61^st St. North and Ridge Road.

The static display held on March 22 at 8800 E. 34^th St. North drew about 100 participants despite the cold and wet weather. "We had a good turnout for the display out East, but we’re hoping to have even better participation this Friday now that the weather is warmer," said Officer Seiler.

For more information, please contact Officer Drew Seiler at Patrol West 941-0673 or Lt. Sara Morris or Officer Mike Lloyd at Patrol East 688-9331.