Surprise Arizona Beat The Program: Lieutenant Randy Rody

Source: Director of Communications
Release Date: February 26, 2010
Update / Revision: N/A

Evo Overview:

The greater Phoenix area in Arizona has been considered an illegal street racing hot sport for well over a decade.  Throughout this time period the populace, law enforcement, and government have struggled to implement meaningful changes to reduce the illegal activity.  With hundreds of miles of desert roads and an extensive multilane interconnecting highway system illegal street racers have utilized public roads as their personal illegal race track.  Government initiatives such as photo speed cameras and red light cameras have largely been proven fruitless to deter illegal street racing as these areas are often avoided or the illegal racers will camouflage there identity by covering up the vehicle’s plates and/or their facial appearance.  The consequence of the illegal street racing problem in Arizona has resulted in hundreds of lost lives and hundreds of thousands people adversely affected with captions in the media reading:

• “7 injured in pile-up accident; possible racing involved”
• “Man gets 7 years in prison for street racing death”
• “Police: Baby Dies In Street Racing Crash”

As a result of the situation in Arizona Evo Street Racers has allocated a substantial amount of resources directed towards creating viable long term alternatives to the street.  One such effort is working with the Beat the Heat programs within the state such as Lt. Chuck Williams of the Phoenix Police Shamu Race Team.  Most recently Evo Street Racers had the opportunity to speak with Lieutenant Randy Rody of the Surprise Police Department about the success of his first year running a Beat the Heat program. 

For two years Lieutenant Rody presented his Beat the Heat proposal to numerous departments as he focused on the importance of creating an additional venue to deter illegal street racing, drunk driving, and drugs.  His hard work paid off as his proposal received the green light and the necessary tools to create a none-profit 501c(3) volunteer race team to interact with at-risk young adults.  Thereafter a Ford Mustang was spotted rotting in a police impound lot and was transformed into an Police race car that would provide entertainment value and a solid message for race tracks, schools, and community functions across the desert. 

Evo's president Bryan Harrison stated:
The law enforcement profession is amongst the most demanding professions in the world. The challenges encountered in the position compounded by balancing a family life is more than most people can deal with. It is for this reason why it takes a minimum of 6 months to simply be considered a candidate for law enforcement...Yet given the expectations of the position there are a few officers that go beyond the badge and endeavor to another commitment, Beat The Heat. Beat the Heat is much more than a amateur race team...it is a chance at an opportunity for an individual to make an everlasting impact on their community. Evo is proud to be support Lieutenant Rody and his Beat The Heat program as we are with all individuals willing to pursue a positive impact on their community.

You can meet Lieutenant Rody, see his Police Ford Mustang, learn about his program, ask questions, and support his efforts to create alternative to the street the first Wednesday every month at Speedworld.  

Official Press Release:

Website:
www.surpriseaz.com/BeatTheHeat

Synopsis:
Local teens now have the chance to legally race Surprise Police Officers at the Speed World Race Track, through the “Beat the Heat” program.

Teens can bring their own vehicles to the track to race police in a friendly competition! It’s all about having fun and providing teens with a positive way to interact with police. It’s also a great opportunity for police to get to know area teens and promote drug and alcohol prevention.

Everyone is welcome to participate. Drivers under 18 are required to have parental consent. You may pick up a consent form at the track.

Next Race:
Local teens have the chance to legally race Surprise Police Officers. Teens can bring their own vehicles to the track to race the police in a friendly competition designed to give them something fun to do and provide an opportunity for them to interact with police in a positive way. It’s also a great way for police to get to know area teens and promote drug and alcohol prevention.

Speedworld Drag Strip
19421 W. Jomax Rd.
Wittmann, AZ 85361

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