Take it to the Track, a car show and drifting event presented by Caffeine & Octane is expected to bring several thousand spectators to Lanier Raceplex in Hall County on Sunday.
The event will last from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., according to the Take it to the Track ticket page. The Take it to the Track website describes the car show as an event aimed at taking unsafe and illegal driving off the streets.
"Founded on the idea of providing safe and legal event space for the car community to take the unsafe practice of illegal street racing to the Track," the website reads. "Take it to the track hosts events across the U.S. at racetracks and event spaces that combine the drag racing, track racing, street racing, car show, vendor and sponsor communities with the music, TV and entertainment industries like car racing, track events and sliding."
The Hall County Sheriff's Office issued a statement Tuesday, saying the event is "expected to attract several thousand spectators and participants."
While Take it to the Track is meant to take illegal street racing off the streets, the sheriff's office said there are safety concerns associated with activities that may occur outside of the event itself.
"In 2021, a similar drifting event held at another venue - outside of Hall County - resulted in numerous traffic citations and arrests, most of those occurring after the event itself concluded," the statement reads.
Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch said the sheriff's office will have an increased patrol presence along Winder Highway during the event.
“Our law enforcement personnel have handled large events of this magnitude in the past, but we do want our Hall County residents to use extra caution in the area because of the additional traffic that will be on the roadway Sunday," Coach said in a prepared statement.
Couch said the sheriff's office is prepared to issue citations for traffic violations or other illegal activity by those leaving the event Sunday.
“My greatest concern is the post-event conduct by those leaving the venue,” Couch said.
