WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. (May 14, 2011) – Earlier this month Dells Raceway Park turned into a training course for several local law enforcement agencies. The agencies underwent training for emergency vehicles mandated by the state every two years.

The mandatory training involved two hours of new curriculum including new pursuit tactics, and law and liability updates. It also involved two hours of behind-the-wheel training. The changes to policy go into effect in July of 2011.

Officers from the Marquette County Sherriff’s Department, Columbia County Sherriff’s Dept., Westfield Police Dept., Montello PD, Neshkoro PD, Wyocena PD and several departments from Sauk County took place in the training. Wisconsin Dells officers will be utilizing the facility this coming week.

The usage of DRP’s facility was a great help to a tight budget said Patrol Captain Jack Frost of the Marquette County Sherriff Dept.

“This is the first time we’ve come here,” he said. “We’ve gone to Appleton and Green Bay in the past, and with budgets the way they are, it’s just so expensive to send people a long distance.

“I approached Joe and he graciously donated the track to us. It’s a really cost-effective way to get these guys trained for a fraction of what it would have cost us otherwise.”

“We’re always happy to help out,” said Joe Graziano, DRP promoter. “Budgets are tight all over. If we can utilize our resources to help out any public service department, we consider it a win-win.”

Between the groups from Marquette and Columbia Counties, approximately 75 officers were trained. Frost said the facility provided a perfect area for the training course.

“There is the evasive portion where they have to decide right or left and work on proper hand position,” Frost explained. “That trains people to drive around an obstacle rather than brake to try to avoid it.”

Frost also explained there were several other obstacles placed on the track to test car handling, so officers were able to evaluate where the car would go and how it would react to certain evasive maneuvers.

“Everyone was real controlled – even in the rain,” Frost said. “A few cones got knocked over. If you’re not hitting the cones you’re not pushing the envelope.”

As for any future racers in the group?

“One was a former pure stock racer in the early 90s,” Frost said. “I think there were a lot of frustrated race car drivers, or guys who would like to be.”

Dells Raceway Park gets its 49th season of racing under way on Saturday, May 21. The evening's events begin with the Automotion Burnout contest at 5:30. In addition, the Vintage Cars will be joining the four weekly DRP classes. Qualifying is at 3:30, Racing is at 6:30.

Dells Raceway Park is located at N1070 Smith Road five minutes north of downtown Wisconsin Dells, Wis., off highway 12-16. For more information including the latest news, the 2011 schedule and more visit www.dellsracewaypark.com.