I have been on a research kick lately surrounding circle tracks and other forms of racing facilities. There are hundreds of tiny little track across America that are legend in their local area but the greater population does not know about. One of those places is Belleville High Banks in Kansas. One of the most steeply banked half mile dirt tracks in the country it is sloped some 23-degrees in some places. A half mile long and laid out in a circle instead of a more traditional oval, there are literally no straights. When you see the video of driver Jed Werner competing below you will notice that there are areas where he turns less but the wheel is literally never straight ahead unless he is managing a slide. This has to be one nerve wracking and crazy place to go racing because we have never seen anything else like it.
For several years this was the world’s fastest half mile dirt track. Other places like Eldora have had the title over the years but in terms of competition and the skill/knowledge you must have to have to actually get the job done at a place like this, we cannot imagine it. Some hot shot walking in off the street would not be at an advantage over someone who had raced here for years we’re thinking.
We’re not sure what type of sprint car Werner’s driving here but we do know that he’s pretty fast. We decided to start the video at a little over four minutes in because it is after a flag and the field gets restarted and up to speed quickly. It gives you a great perspective as to how this place needs to be handled.
Racing lives at tracks like this one!
Check out Eagle Raceway just outside of Eagle, NE. When the outlaws ran there it was 30+ sprint cars with 800+ hp each, on a high banked 3/8 oval, one of the best shows ever.