What Is High Plains Raceway and What Kind of Facility Is It?

High Plains Raceway (HPR) is an amateur road racing facility in Colorado, described on its site as "one of America's greatest amateur road racing facilities." It is built on rolling terrain with open spaces, and the track is characterized as technical, challenging, and very safe. It hosts amateur club events — track days, driving schools, and wheel-to-wheel racing — for both cars and motorcycles, with activity concentrated on most weekends from April through October.

What happens at HPR

The facility's calendar is organized around four functions listed on its homepage:

• Upcoming Calendar Events — the season schedule, including closures.
• News & Announcements — updates such as insurance information for Open Lapping Days and site changes.
• Race at HPR — the path for participants interested in wheel-to-wheel competition.
• Watch Racing at HPR — spectator information.

Track days and driving schools

Amateur clubs host events ranging from track days and driving schools up to competitive racing. HPR also runs its own Open Lapping Days, which the site describes as a safe and legal environment for drivers to explore the performance envelope of their vehicle. A news item notes that car insurance is available for Open Lapping Days.

Wheel-to-wheel racing

HPR states that regardless of skill level, vehicle choice, or budget, there is an event for you. The site points to a "How to Race at HPR" page for the participation path.

Spectating

According to the site, virtually all events are free to watch and open to the public. A "How to Watch at HPR" page covers spectator logistics.

Season and closures

The core season runs April through October, when most weekends are filled with events. The published calendar also shows the off-season:

The site explicitly asks people not to contact the track asking when it will reopen during the maintenance closure — the reopening date will be posted when known.

Is it right for you?

• If you want to drive your own car or motorcycle in a controlled setting: Open Lapping Days and club track days are the entry points; check the calendar for dates in season.
• If you want to compete: HPR positions itself as accessible across skill levels and budgets; start with the "How to Race at HPR" guidance.
• If you want to watch: most events are free and open to the public.
• If you're planning around the off-season: expect the facility to be closed from late October through year-end for maintenance, with the reopening date announced on the site rather than by phone.

For current dates, event details, and participation requirements, the track's calendar and the "Race" and "Watch" pages are the authoritative sources.