Loud & Fun
- Steve Russo
- Jul 1, 2014
- 3 min read
Stateline Speedway serves it up fast in Post Falls. Written and photographed by Jocelyn Stott.
Think you’ve got the right stuff to be a racecar driver? Consider the Racing School at Stateline Speedway located at 1349 N. Beck Road in Post Falls offered one Sunday per month April through September.
But no worries if you’re not feeling that speed-deprived – you can still round up your family and friends and head to the track for some summertime fun.
The biggest nights at Stateline Speedway are Wednesdays and Saturdays when race fans can catch racing semi-trucks, hobby stock cars, bandoleros and more – in addition to the traditional stock car races. Saturday nights are also a great time to enjoy fireworks. August 15 is the NAPA Auto Parts 200, the track’s circuit race event.
Larry Bertrand, general manager and owner, satys it’s the place to be in the summertime, “If there was anything more fun, I’d do that instead.”
Larry had a career as a racecar driver and now owns 16 late model stock cars. – eight of which he employs drivers to race in the Northwest racing circuit which he likens to minor-league NASCAR. The circuit includes tracks in places such as Airway Heights, Wenatchee, and Ephrata, WA.; Hermiston, OR., and Kalispell, MT.
While some may think driving a car around in circles doesn’t qualify as sport, Larry says it’s simply a misinformed sentiment.
“You can be overwhelmed by the horsepower, loudness, vibration, small cockpit, movement, speed and g forces. You’ll use muscles you didn’t know about - that you don’t normally use,” says Larry.
During Larry’s professional race career, he began teaching the racing school and later had an opportunity to purchase the racetrack in 2011.
Colleen Bill, administrative assistant at the track, says regionally this is the only driving school of its kind. As a result, she says people travel from as far away as the coast and southern British Columbia to participate.
The Stateline Speedway Racing School is held at noon one Sunday each month.
The school features a driver’s training for about 40 minutes and includes 10 laps, known as Thrill Drive, for $150. For the class with 20 laps, also known as Taste of Racing, the cost is $200. If that isn’t enough to satisfy your inner-Earnhart, every additional 10 laps is another $50.
Racing fans can also opt for just a ride-along, called a Thrill Ride, for $150.
Carole, a student at the May class, offers her opinion of the Thrill Ride. “Everyone should try at least once. It gives you a whole new perspective and appreciation!”
“It’s something to do at least once in your life,” adds Mike Rice, also a student.
The racing school is popular for corporate parties and events, says Bertrand. He adds, “We have a group of dads do it every year on Father’s Day.”
Jessica, age 28 of Deer Park, received a day at the track as a birthday gift from her grandparents who were there to watch her drive. Also there to give her support was her dad, her husband and three-year-old daughter Ella.
Jessica said the day was pretty special because she remembers watching her grandfather race here when she was a child.
Another driver, Mae, says it was so exciting that she had to remind herself to breathe. Tina, another driver agreed, saying, “Once I got going it was okay but the anticipation was getting me more worked up than anything.“
Grandstand ticket prices at the Speedway range from $5 (for kids 6-11) up to $58 for a family of 5 (premium seating). For more prices and dates, visit raceidaho.com. For information on the racing school: raceastockcar.com.
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