04/29/2026
The drag races are back for 2026! People keep asking us if anyone is planning drag races this year and the answer is yes! The Montana Motorsports Association has taken over holding the 1/8 mile drag races at the airport owned track. For information or questions please contact them directly at [email protected] or scan the QR code.
Folks often ask why the airport has a track, where did it come from, who runs the events, how do you rent it, etc….The Driving Track located at the Rocky Mountain Emergency Services Fire Training Center is a unique piece of infrastructure owned by the Airport Authority. It is not part of the airfield itself but it outside the fence as part of the fire training center complex (which is also very unique). The track was completed in 2002 to provide a safe location for a wide range of training, motorsports, and other uses. The idea of having a track in Helena started in the 1990’s and several steps along the way led to its existence. When the Montana National Guard’s new aviation facility was constructed next to the fire training center, the track site provided fill dirt to bring the Guard facility apron up to meet the airfield. That in essence got the track’s base site work done at no cost. In 2000 when the airport’s primary 9,000 X150 runway was completely rebuilt, all of the milled asphalt was used as a low-cost base material for the track. In 2002 the track’s pavement was laid at a cost of $450,000 (today’s cost to pave the track is over $1.5 Million!). In 2022 part of the straightaway was re-paved at a cost of $218,000. Plans to continue replacing pavement over the coming years are in the works.
The Airport rents the track to various entities who themselves manage their respective events on the track. The biggest hurdle to renting the track is getting insurance. Each user must obtain liability insurance from an outside vendor in order to rent the track. The rental fees help the airport maintain the track. Like many tracks, it is challenging to make enough money to cover expenses. The airport itself also has a huge cost to insure the track on top of maintaining the pavements. The track is a self-funded operation, and while it is located on the airport campus, it is not eligible for any federal or state funds and has to be operated like a standalone business. So many tracks of various types are struggling nationwide and closing down, but we are doing everything possible to ensure the track in Helena remains viable and financially sustainable. Here are some examples of activities using the track each year:
Montana Law Enforcement Academy
Jr. Police Academy
Montana Highway Patrol
Montana Motorcycle Rider Safety (Helena College)
Montana Department of Transportation Highway Surface Testing Equipment Calibration
1/8 Mile Drag Racing
Big Sky Drag Week Stop
Sport Car Club of America – multiple clubs
Kart Racing
Drifting
Corvette Club auto crossing
Exotic Sports Car Rally Stop
VIP protection driver training
Police, Sheriff, and Fire department driver training
Snowplow and large dump truck driver training
