Latest news with #ChipJenkins
New York Post
2 days ago
- Automotive
- New York Post
Drag racers arrested, luxury cars impounded after tearing through Grand Teton National Park: officials
Grand Tetons? More like Grand Tourismo. A pack of luxury car drivers were arrested — and their high-end rides impounded — for turning the scenic roads of Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park into their personal racetrack on Tuesday. The four speedsters were part of a luxury car rally touring the country this week, a National Park Service spokesperson told Jackson Hole News & Guide. It took strategic traffic stops by 12 rangers to finally bring them in. 'This kind of behavior is unsafe, irresponsible, and completely unacceptable in a national park,' said Grand Teton Superintendent Chip Jenkins in a release to the News & Guide. 3 Luxury sports cars in a Nu Rally event. instagram/michaellvvaldez 3 A car being pulled over during a Nu Rally event. Youtube/Miguel Dsm The racers had been part of OutRun, an invite-only event by Nu Rally for 'supercar and hypercar' owners that winds through scenic byways from Washington state to Las Vegas. It promises participants — who pay between $900 and $13,995, SFGate reported — that they'll 'feel the energy of the Teton Range.' The NPS did not reveal details about the identities of the drivers, only that they drove 'high-end luxury sports cars' and were going way, way too fast through the iconic mountain range near Yellowstone National Park. No NPS staff, visitors or wildlife were harmed, the agency said. Nu Rally demands that participants obey traffic laws and avoid even friendly competition — 'NuRally … is NOT a race. You must NOT compete in any manner with other participants,' its terms and conditions read. 3 Nu Rally participants in Grand Teton. instagram/michaellvvaldez Yet participants have been known to bend the rules. In fact, Nu Rally posted a clip to TikTok of one magnificent, battleship-grey roadster pulled over on the first day of this week's event. In the Tetons, the ralliers shared the road with hundreds of other drivers: The park draws more than 3 million visitors per year, and June is its most popular season. It is also home to threatened wildlife, including grizzly bears and the Canada lynx, according to NPS' website. Nu Rally did not immediately respond to The Post's request for comment.
USA Today
2 days ago
- USA Today
Four people arrested for drag racing in Grand Teton National Park
In Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park, where bears and other large animals routinely cross highways, speeding is as dangerous for wildlife as it is for tourists. So it was troubling Tuesday when rangers received reports of people drag racing on one of the park's scenic highways. A rapid response involved 12 rangers, according to the Jackson Hole News & Guide, resulting in the arrests of four people and the impoundment of their high-end sports cars. Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins is quoted: 'This kind of behavior is unsafe, irresponsible, and completely unacceptable in a national park. It puts visitors, staff and wildlife at serious risk.' Few details were disclosed as the park continues its investigation. But the drag racing was said to have occurred on Teton Park Road, which spans from Jackson Lake Junction to Moose Junction. ALSO: Tense moments in Yellowstone as dog leaps from vehicle to chase wolf I was in the park last month and saw a large black bear and several pronghorn feeding along this stretch. Down toward Moose, I saw two actual moose crossing the road. Just north of Jackson Lake Junction, I spotted a grizzly bear momma with a yearling cub repeatedly crossing Highway 89, creating traffic issues. (See images.) Many will recall that in early May a 5-year-old grizzly bear was killed as a result of a vehicle strike inside the park. The bear was one of the famous 'quad' siblings born to the legendary Grizzly Bear 399 in 2020. Sadly, Grizzly Bear 399 died after a vehicle strike south of the park last fall.
USA Today
13-05-2025
- USA Today
Stargaze on landing: This US airport was just Dark Sky certified
Stargaze on landing: This US airport was just Dark Sky certified Show Caption Hide Caption Astronomy events to mark on your May calendar One of the most exciting stargazing events for the month of May include the Eta Aquarid meteor shower, which will peak on May 5-6. Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) is the first airport to be named an International Dark Sky Place. The airport replaced over 250 light fixtures to reduce light pollution, benefiting both stargazing and wildlife. The change supports Grand Teton National Park's efforts to preserve its naturally dark skies. The next time you fly into or out of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, you might want to book a window seat. The Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) became a certified International Dark Sky Place earlier this month, the first airport to receive the designation, according to a news release. The facility's staff created a lighting management plan, upgrading and replacing exterior lighting – more than 250 fixtures so far – and working to reduce light spill from its terminal building. Along with enhanced stargazing in the surrounding Grand Teton National Park, the efforts will benefit wildlife that 'rely on the nocturnal environment to thrive,' per the release. JAC is the only commercial airport located in a U.S. national park. 'Grand Teton National Park is a place where people can still see planets, stars and be mesmerized by the Milky Way just by stepping outside,' Chip Jenkins, the national park's superintendent, said in the release. 'A night sky is a resource as valuable and awe-inspiring as seeing a grizzly bear or catching a fish in the Snake River. Protecting the night sky requires effort from all of us and we appreciate how the Jackson Hole Airport has embraced this work.' What is astrotourism? Why travelers are exploring dark skies While exterior landside and airside lighting is covered in the plan, lights on the airfield and ramp must comply with Federal Aviation Administration rules and are exempt from DarkSky requirements. In addition to establishing lighting guidelines for the airport, the plan complies with the International Energy Conservation Code and local ordinances. 'The (lighting management plan) also embraces DarkSky's five principles for responsible outdoor lighting: useful; targeted; low level; controlled; and warm-colored,' the release said. The International Dark Sky Places Program is voluntary and non-regulatory. The news comes after Teton County became the first county certified as an International Dark Sky Community in April. Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@
