MADISON, Ill. (KMOX)-Hoping to keep kids from getting killed while drag racing on public streets, Gateway Motorsports Park is offering them a chance to race on a supervised, nationally sanctioned drag strip while a band rocks and friends watch.

It’s called Midnight Madness and it gets underway tonight at the track in Madison, Illinois.

Park President Curtis Francois says all drivers must wear helmets, and every precaution will be taken to keep them safe,   “We’ll certainly have safety crews there, ambulances, anything that would be needed in the unlikely event someone would get hurt during a drag race event.”

He the events will also feature bands and other activities, making it ‘social event’.

Francois says he knows it won’t keep every kid who’s tempted to race off the streets but, it’s a start, “There’s only so much you can do about that, but we certainly intend to promote our events and add future events in addition to Midnight Madness that hopefully will address that and become a viable alternative to street racing.”

Francois says tonight’s will be the first of eight Midnight Madness events.

Entrants must be licensed drivers, ages 16 and up. Entry fees range from $20 to $60. Winning payouts range from $300 to $800.  Gates open at 7 pm. Racing begins at 8 pm.

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