Toms River police will escort street racers for 42 miles on Sunday Scroll down to see a video promo for this year's cruise to Atco.

Jean Mikle | Asbury Park Press

Show Caption Hide Caption A vigil at Wall Stadium Close to one hundred people gathered in the parking lot at Wall Stadium Speedway to honor late racing promoter Cliff Krause.

TOMS RIVER - Street racers are usually being chased by police. But on Sunday, Toms River officers will be giving them an escort from the Walmart on Route 37 to Atco Dragway.

That's a distance of about 45 miles, if you're counting.

Once at Atco, they'll participate in the fifth "Keep it on the Track and Off the Street" event, which is aimed at encouraging drivers to race their cars at the track and not on township roads.

And they'll also be bringing toys for the annual holiday toy drive held by Toms River police. A toy drive is also being held along with the cruise and street racing event, and each driver is being asked to bring at least one unwrapped toy.

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The "Keep it on the Track and Off the Street" event was born after Toms River professional drag racer Rick Riccardi talked to his long-time friend, Police Chief Mitch Little, about ideas for an event would keep people from racing their cars on township streets for at least one day a year.

Riccardi said this year's event could be the biggest one yet, with nearly 100 drivers registered. Last year, drivers donated more than 500 toys; this year, he hopes the number will top 1,000.

"We want to give people an alternative to racing in the streets," Riccardi said. "You can go to the track and do it. If we show kids an alternative, that they can race at Atco, we might be able to keep some of them off the streets."

Riccardi, who has raced all over the country with his Riccardi Racing Team in the NMCA NA 10.5 Drag class, and admits that he, too, raced cars on local roadways when he was younger. He said he has friends who have been killed while racing on local streets.

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"I'm not going to lie, I did it," Riccardi said. Now he says he hopes "Keep it on the Track and Off the Street," will show street racers that there is a safer place to test their machines.

Little agreed.

"We realize that a number of car enthusiasts live in our area and spend a great deal of time and money on maximizing the performance of their vehicles," the chief said. "It is only natural to want to try that out on our roadways. We want to encourage them to 'Take it to the Track and Keep it Off the Streets,' where it is a safe and controlled environment."

Little said street racing remains a problem in the township. YouTube has many videos of people racing cars on Route 37 and other township roads. Double Trouble Road in nearby Berkeley is also a popular racing spot.

While police are always on the look out for street racers, it's almost impossible to stop everyone from racing in a town with about 400 miles of local roads, plus county and state highways, he said.

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The cruise to the track is free, but there is a $25 fee for spectators and a $40 charge for drivers who want to get their cars safety checked.

True Street Competitors — racers who have highly modified vehicles — will be charged $105 — and one unwrapped toy — to race at the dragway.

Cars must meet Department of Transportation specifications for legal tires.

Drivers should meet at the Walmart parking lot on Route 37 West between 6 and 6:30 a.m. The escorted cruise to Atco will begin promptly at 7 a.m., Riccardi said.

Not attending the cruise or competition? You can still donate toys. Call Riccardi at 732-278-2266.

Riccardi said the drag racing community is the most generous group that he knows; watch the racing community gather at Wall Stadium earlier this year to honor long-time promoter Cliff Krause.

Riccardi plans to expand the "Keep it on the Track and Off the Street," with additional events in March and late June.

Jean Mikle: 732-643-4050, @jeanmikle, jmikle@gannettnj.com