Sacramento sets up a skid pad to allow drivers to do as many donuts as they like without getting arrested

Thrill seekers can now rejoice, as there’s now a place to do legal donuts and burnouts without the fear of sirens or citations, thanks to a Sacramento skid pad.

Tucked along Jackson Highway, this newly minted acre of asphalt is quickly becoming a magnet for throttle-happy drivers.

It’s loud, smoky, and chaotic in the best possible way, but the best part is that it’s entirely sanctioned.

In a city cracking down harder than ever on illegal street takeovers, this skid-friendly haven feels almost rebellious because it’s allowed.

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Plenty of drivers are showing up to do legal donuts and burnouts

The project is the brainchild of Flora Harding, owner of an automotive business deeply connected to the racing community.

Harding saw the rising tension between thrill-seeking drivers and weary law enforcement, and decided to act.

She decided to build a pressure-release valve: one with tire marks, helmets, and a whole lot of horsepower.

“You don’t have to do it on the street, that’s the big thing,” she said, emphasizing that the skid pad is designed for testing, tuning, and tearing it up without endangering anyone.

And judging by turnout at the Sacramento skid pad, the idea is hitting the sweet spot.

Drivers of all types are showing up, from seasoned drifters to weekend warriors like Matthew Gershey, who happily paid the $100 entry fee for a full day of burnouts and sideways fun.

“It’s a legal spot to do it, and you don’t have to worry about risking your driver’s license,” Gershey said to CBS News Sacramento.

Sacramento police has been cracking down on illegal sideshows

The timing couldn’t be better.

Sacramento police, along with departments across the country, have been ramping up enforcements against illegal sideshows.

With street takeovers leading to impounds, fines, and even jail time, and with four new statewide laws boosting penalties in 2024, the crackdown is real and ongoing.

Unless you’re a Hollywood celebrity with explicit permission to perform legal donuts on the streets, the cops won’t be happy.

Harding’s Sacramento skid pad offers not only relief for adrenaline chasers but also a break for the officers tasked with responding to the chaos of illegal events.

“It’s kind of a little bit of like let’s get these kids off the street,” Harding said. “And let’s help our local police officers that have to deal with this every day.”

Safety isn’t an afterthought, either.

Helmets are mandatory, and a trained EMT stays on-site during operating hours.

In a world where burnout videos rack up tonnes of views and street takeovers shut down intersections, Sacramento’s dedicated spin-zone is a refreshing compromise: pure tire-screeching thrill, minus the trouble.

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