Drag Racing Against Cops

Every Wednesday at the Sonoma Raceway in California, high school students line up on the drag strip and go one on one … with a police car. It’s all part of a program hoping to put a positive ‘spin’ on law enforcement, providing teens with a safe space to hit the accelerator. Now in its 23rd year, “Top the Cops” was first founded by Kevin McKinnie, a retired police officer looking for a way to help curb illegal drag racing. By harnessing teens’ need for speed, McKinnie and his fellow cops are helping to get more kids off the street scene while fostering a positive relationship between law enforcement and the local community.
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[@mariogamer2102]

Those who lost to cops got their car impounded and sent to jail.

[@bee9026]

MarioGamer 210 that last pickup driver tho

[@gunkshunter2519]

Really?

[@mothermouthfatherfouth826]

No, they don't.

[@miniena7774]

And beaten.

[@yahirmacedo2878]

Even if they did do that wouldn't it make more sense to be the other way around.

[@Tai_Mai_Shu]

Must be nice to have a sports/luxury car in high school. 👍

[@fatetestarossa2774]

indeed

[@CoolKid-lb6ws]

I have a shitty 2006 eclipse

[@Tai_Mai_Shu]

Cool Kid888 Dude. I didn't have anything!!

[@benwilson9658]

waladsameen better to have a sportbike 😜

[@Tai_Mai_Shu]

Benjamin Wilson That may be true. But ain't no one racing in a bike in this video so... 😜

[@meobe1570]

Need For Speed Community *laughs*

[@andersolson2540]

I thought the camera crew was the local news that day, guess not! I'm glad I was able to participate in the Top The Cops Program in high school and able to make it back for the Alumni event that was the day this video was made. Top The Cops is a great program, and I hope it continues for many years to come!

[@maxu104]

Anders Olson what did the cop cars run? 15s?

[@munchtastic89]

This is a great program that should be instituted by ALL agencies. Good work!

[@leahmokry6093]

Such a cool thing these guys are doing.

[@Cobalt.tarkov]

Leah Mokry I’ve meet all the cops I go to a lot of the races

[@coastalcardiciancollectabl1032]

This isn’t street racing against cops. It’s drag racing against cops.

[@bnr32rbpower]

the title doesn't say "street racing" against cops...

[@callmedrew5726]

It used to. They changed it.

[@callumb5933]

Mr Slaybury I'll bet after this they know who owns what and what car to track and watch

[@istoleurfaceha3527]

When people “street race” they’re not racing in a circuit, they’re usually just drag racing

[@arturos.l.2248]

Depends on how you define “street”

[@basicnpcc]

Hmm.. That's actually a great idea

[@steveirwinsleftnut6925]

God Gabe I will not worship you anymore because you released a game that nobody wanted a dota card game I’m sorry I will not worship you

[@sipsisthebestguy2939]

It's not street racing though is it? Edit: I see now the title has been changed, feel free to scroll past this comment.

[@shehab2606]

correct

[@partyinthecloudkingdom]

sipsisthebestguy yeah i imagine part of the thrill of real street racing is the thought of getting caught

[@PACKERMAN2077]

Cloud King and the massive amounts of illegal cash flowing back and forth... and the fact that one wrong word can cost you your life on the street.

[@dibbzon]

Technically they're racing on a street so I think it is

[@GeometryclassMrgarza]

It’s drag racing and it is the legal version of street racing

[@michael2351]

The cops are going like 30 mph in the vid

[@Captainspamo]

MJ cop cars are heavy man, 0-60 takes a bit

[@r2ba435]

MJ Like he said they are loaded with extra weight. And most departments especially in California order the standard engines. They pick the v6 chargers or the naturally aspirated utility or Taurus. They don't go with the hemi in the charger or the twin turbo eco boost in the Ford cars as much as other states tend to do. But there not doing 30mph most are high 70 low 80mph range in the quarter mile.

[@jackalsniper]

MJ Gotta stick to the speed limit bro. They're still cops after all. 😜

[@E46TY]

MJ they do about 16.5 at like 85 mph i just raced here at sonoma last night

[@masaharumorimoto4761]

So kids who have parents that are wealthy... ya.... Poor kids still be out in the streets in a beat up old shit car hoonin'!

[@AndreasK6rgend]

teach kids not to have kids, then you will less likely be poor.

[@masaharumorimoto4761]

Fully agreed!

[@alexb6424]

Andreas Kõrgend teach kids to have kids when they are prepared and know what to do

[@criznitty]

You can have a slower car or a low budget build and still do well. You just have to have consistency so you can get a good estimated time. I have brought regular cars there and I have also gone there to bring my son. It’s like only $10 to watch and $20 to race

[@davidmontes1747]

Masaharu Morimoto Pretty much I'm 17 and I take my 2016 Maserati Ghibli S there lol

[@Rigs82]

I love your KZbin videos, Great Big Story. They are inspiring, incredible and I hope that you will continue uploading them. Awesome job! 👍👍👍

[@mykemauigroovey125]

o.k. credit where credit is due. finally i can say i think these cops and this program is actually doing good police work. possibly preventing serious car crashes by providing a safe environment, and positive public relations. bravo. pass this on to all law enforcement agencies.

[@iamdeandrefrench]

This is cool! More should be done to bring the community and cops together....

[@terrywarner1254]

I remember a job in Virginia. I commented to the boss that the teachers must be paid well based on the cars in the parking lot. He said those were the kids cars, teacher could not afford such high end cars.

[@firetruckboy7]

Must be nice to have a luxury car in high school meanwhile I had to get rides from my mom and I still end up with a shitty 05’ Corolla

[@jugodefresa4205]

Laura Montalvan tough luck

[@namesomega3694]

Yeah till the maintenance bill starts stacking up

[@evanleo7633]

high school kids have cars like hellcat amg and dragster

[@E46TY]

evan leo no tf they dont i raced here last night against a kid in a beat up el camino, a subaru wagon and an auto, v6 bagged camaro that was the kid’s dad’s

[@dirkslipperypeanutdiggler9211]

That's cool that they do that. Love it when the cops remind us they're human

[@coltonbarnosky1863]

Make sure your car is legal before you show up!

[@samlung2724]

Colton Barnosky Car doesn't have to be legal on the track.

[@baranUtube]

@@samlung2724 ikr

[@Xchamploo1]

And what they forgot to include in the whole package is "Spoiled rich kids only"

[@georgediaz34]

Lokir The horseman deadass all those cars cost 30k+

[@johnnorth5109]

Nah, for 11k you can get low 12, high 11 cars, or just tune a cheap car

[@E46TY]

George Diaz jesus christ they’re from santa rosa and novato and shit their parents drive benz’s and let them drive them

[@Cobalt.tarkov]

These are all parents cars

[@dctmatt]

If I ever raced a cop, I would probably never finish because I’d die of laughter midway

[@BadAssEngineering]

Nothing can outrun a radio. Ask me how I know...

[@msmeowmeow5107]

This is AWESOME!

[@marxkartredge]

If that was my patrol car, I'd have it runnin 6's

[@jacobfrance9151]

YOOO WHAT HIGHSCHOOL KID IS OUT HERE RACING A GMC QUADSTEER

[@valjean2036]

This is awesome!

[@francesnance9110]

What a great idea! I love it!

[@crisrose9707]

its not street racing if its on a track...

[@bigniqqa8962]

cris rose Read the title

[@crisrose9707]

did you know that you can change the title of youtube videos once you upload them?

[@hobbyperson18]

Mind blown

[@atx-cvpi_99]

It's the legal form of street racing.

[@user-uq3mo4ln9c]

ABSOLUTELY AWESOME 😂🎉

[@TandL12]

Great program Super smart

[@raisinnotnice]

Las Vegas is also doing this if you guys watch top gear. But really nice stuff.

[@LukeHeironimus]

I wish the mainstream media would do a story on this.

[@qtrvip999]

Awesome 👏 idea 💡

[@sammyy1757]

next up,Rich kids vs Cops

[@lengxiong5]

We need this at sacramento race track!

[@panzerfaust5046]

"Well now that I know i can outrun the Cops, i'll do this on the street."

[@afranca1825]

1:03 that's a nice third gen

[@charlietophat2295]

I wish we could have this everywhere

[@FrannyWard]

I think this is great!

[@snowypantha]

That girl is driving a Mustang, the other one is driving a Charger and they are racing with cops on a track, while us in our country we are all here trying to get cigarettes or trying to work during our school vacation. I should've been born in the US.

[@genore1993]

There stock piling all them license plates XD

[@0riginal_panda_child249]

This is actually really smart

[@UserNotFound-mw4hp]

Thats a cool idea! I have a 69 Roadrunner myself, would like to start something like that where I live!

[@MD88Pilot]

This sounds awesome!

[@therealdeepesh5508]

hi great big story i love you video

[@cademan40]

i go to sonoma all the time and its a blast, you always see the cops there and they do runs, its fun to see if i can actually ditch them

[@portlandcarlover]

One of those teenagers had a Plymouth Road Runner.....

[@zoop124]

Those are some really nice cars for simple high school students

[@Nobody99998]

SO AWESOME!!!!

[@SeekanDestroy03]

They should do this in every state. We never had a safe place to race, people always end up getting hurt/or arrested.

[@galingeorgiev9365]

Great idea !

[@jewel3886]

Would they not be like "oh I won tht means I can escape from the cops after I illegally street race

[@zsfabricating]

Holy shit I'm gonna do this. I live15 mins away from this track.

[@itzelalvarez1726]

Wow that's my city. Didn't know we could do that here😂

[@mujtabaahmed3409]

Man i just love u

[@FedericoBoedeSanchez]

poor kids with their racecars. Nbody undestands their struggle

[@E46TY]

Federico Boede NONE of these are racecars relax

[@pilot-bq6pb]

I'm questioning how these kids afford those cars

[@jessm5558]

Rich parents

[@strikerq12]

All this shows is the kids with the fast cars can out run the cop, but not the radio lmfao

[@sunriceproductions.7420]

Is this the place when Top Gear filmed their American Special Ep.?

[@aaronbrink4867]

I have seen some of the races. It is pretty cool.

[@ghostzillar.354]

That dude from the orange car comes to my high school lmfao

[@ciaranc7238]

really cool!

[@fordgalaxie3695]

Just imagine if someone brought a sleeper lmao

[@kek-vy1fu]

Hahahahahahahahah the cops are just making sure nobody can outrun them 😭🤣😭🤣😭🤣😭🤣😭🤣😭🤣😭🤣😭😭🤣😭😭

[@uniworkhorse]

I wish I had a resource like this

[@darkendkefka]

They do this in Colorado also, at Bandimere Raceway

[@Sheepy007]

When I was in High school, I drove a used Kia with a broken AC. Just saying

[@NINJUNK00]

Sheepy007 I had a Kia with a broken headlight

[@ethandavis8448]

I feel you, I drive a 2001 taurus with no AC a broken speedometer and loads of other problems. I dont have time between school and extracurricular activities to work more than 10 hours a week so rip

[@E46TY]

Sheepy007 jesus christ everyone acts like these kids own these cars🤦🏽‍♂️most of them are IN THEIR PARENT’S CARS

[@thunderplunder1013]

Great Big Story, can you guys find and interview the guy who took the photo of that rap album pigeon?

[@tomasdanielnieto5398]

Need to do it.

[@KCJbomberFTW]

This is so awesome in so many ways love you boys in blue! 🇺🇸

[@livetyher6669]

"Do soemthing good" goes work out the engine of the vehicles instead of actually stopping bad cops lol

[@shitboxcentral]

That looks awesome

[@WB_29]

i was here in sonoma during these races

[@yvngluck5185]

I respect these cops

[@n3n3z29]

how have these kids got such good cars?!?!?

[@user-hm9mj1hc3j]

Bless be Mckinnie, good guy

[@xCartoone]

Racing with an automatic car isn't racing, you just press a pedal and hope that your car isn't total garbage...

[@lilflaco408]

Dam wish I had parents that would but me a car lol all I had was my two feet and if lucky money for the bus lol

[@wyattf.3837]

Lol the kids bad at the start line

[@MageBlackstone]

Nope. Their cars are just not as good as what the cops have.

[@wyattf.3837]

MageBlackstone what with all the slow motion videos where the tires aren't even moving yet

[@Skidracer21]

Part of resolving the issue is stopping dumb people building houses near noisy racetracks only for them to complain and get the track shut down.

[@oivavekki5905]

Actually the police force do this in las vegas, and they don't use stock cars. They modify the police cars to well over 1000 hp sometimes and drag race kids so they don't street race.

[@gregconroy1535]

im the type of person to go to this and then be like ohhh shit the po po are here and drive home

[@karmahunden]

Would be funny to have some LEOs show up with some serious muscle cars to ruin their day... "Daddy bought you 392? That's cute. RELEASE THE KRAKEN.... **cop shows up in a stripped down El Camino funny car on mickey thompsons.**"

[@NJA2k8]

I just can't imagine being able to burnout with all the cops around

[@TheBrainSpecialist]

Fuck I wish I owned a Roadrunner in High School

[@jasonlavelle3293]

Wow I wish they'd do this in Australia but the cops would be to busy defecting all the cars

[@angelasilver8031]

Sounds like a great plan and lots of fun. One question (don't come for me...it's the mom in me) What happens when the kid wrecks? I'm guessing there are all kinds of legalities and paperwork to sign?

[@tannerjohnson5368]

Perfect. Help kids figure out whether or not they are fast enough to outrun the cops

[@user-uq3mo4ln9c]

It's the radio you're running from when you're in trouble.

[@toonershy6024]

who else actually wanted to see the races. :(

[@vickanis2234]

Sooo, it lets them test to see if they could outrun a cop??

[@bigpat_4295]

So nice Cars at that age already

[@musicinsideyourmind]

I don't believe that girl owns the mustang... Looks like a prius driver.

[@airwipe1639]

All those Ford interceptors

[@omarguadarrama1192]

I live 20 mins away from this

[@PACKERMAN2077]

see this is where the LX V6 sleeper Hellcat interceptors and triple blown Foxbody highway patrol cars come to burn some pink slips

[@davidmontes1747]

I'm doing this soon I live in Danville which about an hour and a half or so from Sonoma Raceway I've watched it before. I'm taking my 2016 Maserati Ghibli S

[@yunglychee8240]

What happens when it's a pink slip race lol

[@kevinavila4866]

Ah a fellow kevin

[@cheshirekat3050]

133 people have criminal records.

[@marcelleclerc690]

1:52 She looks really badass with this Mustang behind her