Exhibit your motorcycle skills with APD's Iron Horse Shoot Out, July 20-22

Brianna Maestas, Amarillo Globe-News
·4 min read

The Amarillo Police Department (APD) is hosting its second annual Iron Horse Shoot Out on July 20 through July 22 at the Santa Fe Depot Pavilion, located at 401 S Grant St.

During the motorcycle event, more than 95 riders, both law enforcement officers and civilian riders, will have the chance to exhibit their motorcycle skills and training through a rising challenge. According to APD, the event provides experienced riders a chance to hone their skills while giving novice riders an opportunity to learn from the experts.

"These competitions and skills events are hosted all across the country, ... and they incorporate training and competition. So, we decided last year to bring it to Amarillo for the first time and partnered with the Texas Panhandle 100 Club and chose to give the money we raise to their cause. It was a great turnout last year, successful, and we thought we would do it again," Amarillo Lt. Wade Pennington said.

The Amarillo Police Department will host its second annual Iron Horse Shoot Out, July 20 through July 22, at the Santa Fe Depot Pavilion, located at 401 S Grant St. The event is free and open to the public.
The Amarillo Police Department will host its second annual Iron Horse Shoot Out, July 20 through July 22, at the Santa Fe Depot Pavilion, located at 401 S Grant St. The event is free and open to the public.
The Amarillo Police Department will host its second annual Iron Horse Shoot Out, July 20 through July 22 at the Santa Fe Depot Pavilion, located at 401 S Grant St.
The Amarillo Police Department will host its second annual Iron Horse Shoot Out, July 20 through July 22 at the Santa Fe Depot Pavilion, located at 401 S Grant St.

​All proceeds from the Iron Horse Shoot Out will go to benefit the 100 Club of the Texas Panhandle, which provides assistance to the families of certified peace officers and firefighters who are killed or injured in the line of duty. The 100 Club also provides law enforcement and firefighting agencies with life-protecting equipment that cannot be secured through budgeted funds and agencies.

Each day of the event will include several different courses that riders must accomplish to move on to the next round. During the days of the competition, riders will be served breakfast, lunch and dinner. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own beverages and seating. Vendors and booths will be in attendance, selling goods, giving away freebies and sharing information.

Before the actual event, beginning Wednesday, July 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., participants will have the chance to view the track and utilize some practice time. Only one command post (trailer) per agency or civilian group will be allowed around the track. Individual rider trailers will be placed in an area away from the track but near the lot.

From 6 to 9 p.m., preregistration and dinner will be hosted at Tripp's Harley Davidson, located at 6040 I-40 West for those who will be participating.

"We have riders coming from all different areas to attend and register. I know we have one rider coming in from Canada. ... The key for this event is for these riders, civilian or officers, to get the training to keep them safe on the streets. The more training you get, the better off you are on the streets, so this is a way to showcase that," Pennington said.

​The next day, from 8 to 9 a.m., riders can enjoy breakfast on the track followed by walkthroughs and practice times. At noon the Slow Ride Event will begin, and lunch will be provided.​ At 1 p.m., the challenge event will begin and continues until dinner is provided. At 6 p.m., they will be serving complimentary burgers with fixings, chips, and bread pudding at the track. To end the first day's competition events, the Solano Project will host a concert on the track.

Beginning Friday at 10 a.m., the event will host their eliminations, followed by their first individual runs beginning on Tracks A and B.

"With this year's event, we will challenge riders with courses that they have already seen, as well as some new elements. This adds a little more pressure from last year and allows riders to hone their skills a little more, not only in training, but also during the competition," Pennington said.

Saturday, the opening ceremonies will be held at 8 a.m. Second individual time runs on Tracks A and B will be held at 9 a.m., followed by the two-man chase event at 12:30 p.m. and the team event at 1 p.m.

The Amarillo Police Department will host its second annual Iron Horse Shoot Out, July 20-22 at the Santa Fe Depot Pavilion, located at 401 S Grant St.
The Amarillo Police Department will host its second annual Iron Horse Shoot Out, July 20-22 at the Santa Fe Depot Pavilion, located at 401 S Grant St.

Winners will be announced at the Iron Horse Shoot Out Awards Banquet, held at the 16th Skyline Conference Center inside the downtown location of the Amarillo National Bank at 410 S Taylor from 6 to 10 p.m.

Different category awards will be announced for officers and civilian riders. Measurement qualifications must be met for a bike before entering the competition.

This event is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit the event's official website at https://www.ironhorseshootout.com/ .

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Bikers travel to compete in APD's 2023 Iron Horse Shoot Out