Chattanooga police cited four men in two separate drag racing incidents, according to police department public information officer Lt. Kim Noorbergen.
On Dec. 27, 2009, traffic investigators received word of a loosely organized illegal street racing event on Interstate 75 northbound near Hamilton Place mall, she said. According to Lt. Noorbergen, people standing along the interstate videotaped heavily modified cars drag racing during the late evening hours.
The vehicles reached speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour, Lt. Noorbergen said.
Officers received a tip that more racing would occur on Jan. 15-16 in the same location. Using unmarked vehicles and video cameras, investigators set up a sting to record the racing. Four vehicles were videotaped racing on Highway 153 southbound to I-75 northbound, Lt. Noorbergen said.
Police said the vehicles slowed traffic behind them to a speed between 15 and 20 miles per hour. The racers then accelerated to speeds in excess of 100 mph before exiting the interstate.
Cited for drag racing were Brandon Green, 23, of Chattanooga; Brandon McDaniel, 23, Ooltewah; Jack McKenley, 33, Ooltewah, and Keith Ratcliff, 24, of Cleveland, Tenn., police said.
A court date is set for those accused on Feb. 15 in Hamilton County General Sessions Court, Lt. Noorbergen said.