Sports: Full Throttle
Hallett Motor Racing Circuit not only gives drivers the experience of screaming down a track in excess of 100 miles an hour without worrying about police officers, stray cows or light posts, but it also teaches motorists how to handle their vehicle on city streets.
“People are going to want to drive their cars fast,” says Edmond resident Mark Humphreys. “At Hallett, they can do it in a safe, controlled environment.”
“We try to make it as family-friendly and fan-friendly as possible,” says Owner Scott Stephens. There’s an ambulance, tow truck and fire truck onsite at events and everyone drives the same direction.
Located near Jennings, between Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Hallett has been in operation for 30 years. Mike Langof and his mother, Connie Langof, have owned the course since 2000, but they have been running the track since 1988. The track accommodates auto, motorcycle and go-kart racing, as well as high-speed touring, which allows motorists to bring street cars to the course for fast, noncompetitive driving.
The 1.8-mile, 10-turn track at Hallett can be reversed to challenge drivers in either clockwise or counterclockwise directions. “That’s pretty unique. It’s not something that’s done with a lot of new tracks,” Stephens says. “It makes it more fun for repeat customers.” The track boasts elevation changes of more than 80 feet, providing drivers with course variety.
“Motor sports in general are a lot of fun,” Stephens says. “We try to make it as easy as possible.” Hallett offers racing school, street car school and high-performance school.
“You’re driving the car — nobody else,” Stephens says. “If you’re not comfortable driving at 100 percent, you don’t have to. You drive the speed you’re comfortable with. We will work with you and help you become a better driver.”
Humphreys frequently takes his Mazda Miata to the track and has been an instructor at the course for two years.
“It’s more about driver education than going fast on a track,” Humphreys says. “The neat thing about high speed touring is that any regular car can come up there and the driver can learn what their car can do and, more importantly, what it cannot do. It’s not that you want to race on the road, but if someone cuts you off and you need to change lanes, this will let you know what your car is capable of.”
“The biggest thing about Hallett is there’s room for error. If you run off the track, you’re not going to run into a tree; you’re going to run into the grass,” says Langof. “We get up to some high speeds out there, but it’s in a controlled environment. For me, riding at Hallett is more fun than riding on the road.”
Langof takes his Suzuki GSXR-750 motorcycle racing once or twice a month during the active season. “A lot of people might be intimidated at first because they think it’s only for racers, but it’s a great place for them to go out and learn their bike,” Langof says. “Once you get the butterflies out of your stomach, you have a blast, and then you get hooked, like I did.”
“The people at Hallett are very cool,” Langof says. “They make you feel like family. It’s a nice, family atmosphere. My son goes with me and he’s two years old. My wife has really gotten into the sport, as far as watching.”
The season runs from March to October. April holds major events at Hallett. The Sports Car Club of America is the largest amateur road racing group in the country and will take to the course April 10 and 11. Corinthian Vintage Auto Racing, which is comprised of cars from 1972 and earlier, will tear up the track April 17 and 18. The Competition Motorsports Association, Hallett’s own racing organization, will thrill spectators April 24 and 25.
For more information about the Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, visit www.hallettracing.com.
