It's not uncommon to see drivers pushing the speed limit coming down Phantom Hill north of Ketchum, but it's rare indeed to catch someone bearing down on 200 miles per hour. Until this Saturday, anyway.
For the first time in the valley, cops will put away their radar guns, at least for the drivers taking part in the Sun Valley Road Rally, a fund-raiser for the Blaine County Drug Coalition.
Approximately 20 cars are participating, including high-end marques such as Porsche and Lamborghini.
The rally takes place Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to noon, with high-performance cars starting at Cathedral Pines, just on the northern side of Phantom Hill, and heading south toward the Sawtooth National Recreation Area headquarters.
Drivers have two miles to drive as fast as they want, and then one mile to slow down.
The event necessitates intermittent closures of state Highway 75. Blaine County Sheriff Walt Femling said the highway would be closed in 15-minute intervals to allow racers to have the road to themselves. Between runs, the asphalt will be swept clear of any debris.
Only a limited number of parking spaces are available at the SNRA, so spectators are encouraged to carpool from town on time. No spectators will be allowed into the viewing area after 9:30 a.m.
Spectator tickets are free, but a $20 per person donation is encouraged. Spectators will be shuttled to the viewing area on the eastside of Phantom Hill.
Bike trails intersecting the highway in that area will be closed and shuttles will be available to take cyclists to the north and south ends of the area.
Jon Duval: jduval@mtexpress.com
