The Driving Track

The driving track is used for various automotive activities. It is rented to various law enforcement agencies, such as the Montana Law Enforcement Academy, Montana Highway Patrol, and the City of Helena Police Department, for driver training exercises. In addition, various automotive enthusiast groups, such as the Sports Car Club of America and Hyalite Corvette Club, have used it as well. We require each agency or group that uses the driving track to carry a liability insurance policy of $1 million minimum, in addition to paying our use fees of $400 per day. We also have annual use fees available to the more frequent users of the track. Groups utilizing the driving track facilities include:

Montana Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA) - The academy will use the track to perform driver-training instruction to students in a wide scope of scenarios. New officers will learn specialized driving techniques, which will prove to be valuable asset throughout their law enforcement career. In addition, seasoned officers will be able to refresh and enhance their driving knowledge. This facility will also be a valuable training tool for the city police, county sheriff, and highway patrol.
Emergency Response Vehicle Training - The driving course is large enough to provide adequate room for training of emergency response vehicle operators, such as structural fire trucks, wild land fire trucks, and ambulances. The airport fire truck driver training will complement Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting classes already being held next door at the fire training center.
Governmental Driver Training - Many state and federal agencies are interested in driver training for their employees. Both high and low speeds can be utilized, as the track is set up for numerous scenarios. There is enough room to allow two or three classes to be conducted at the same time.
Advanced Student Driving Courses - Advanced driving courses will be held at this facility. It allows a safe environment for students to learn how to control skids, spins, and rapid stops. The track will also provide training for adverse driving conditions.
Advanced Adult Driver Training - A course will provide skills in defensive driving. Most drivers have never had an opportunity to improve their driving skills, or to remove bad driving habits which could be corrected by a professional driving instructor.
New Vehicle and RV Driver Training - The track could provide a training area for people to learn how to operate new vehicles such as campers, motor homes, and large camping trailers. There is enough area for one to learn how to backup and/or turn large motor homes and tow behind travel trailers.
Motorcycle Training - The track and skid pad provides a perfect area for motorcycle safety classes to be held. This allows beginners a safe place to practice operating their bikes, as well as the advanced rider to perfect his or her skills under the direction of the Montana State University Extension Program.
Drag Racing - The track has a 60-foot wide, 3,000-foot long straightaway, which will allow straight-line acceleration contests to be held. The six-acre skid pad will double as a pit area, and the expanded paved area at the west end will provide a staging area, and the back side of the track can be used as a return road to the pits. This limited use would be authorized through a national motor vehicle organization.
Sports Car Use - The track and skid pad provides a safe obstruction free facility for various sports car clubs to hold single vehicle timed driving events.
Montana Karting Association - The Montana Karting Association hosts a series of kart races at the Rocky Mountain Emergency Services Training Center Driving Track.
Other Automotive Events - Automotive shows and displays can be set up on the six-acre skid pad, which provides a large, clean, paved area for events of this nature.

Each of the above organizations will have to provide their own use-specific insurance policies. In addition, proof of insurance will have to be presented to the Helena Regional Airport Authority prior to the use of the driving track facility.

The driving track at the Rocky Mountain Emergency Services Training Center can be rented out to groups, organizations, and individuals for a variety of driving purposes.

The track user fees are $250 for a half day (4 hours), $400 for a full day (8 hours), or $650 for a weekend. In addition to paying the user fee, each user must provide liability insurance of $1 Million each occurrence minimum, and list the Helena Regional Airport Authority as the additional insured. Proof of this policy must be present in the Airport Administration Office prior to use of the track facility. Track users are required to follow all rules and regulations set by the Airport Authority at all times. To get more information, or to schedule the use of the driving track, contact Pete Hartman at 406-449- 3473, M-F 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.