The Santa Cruz California Highway Patrol sped away with the title at the annual Police in Pursuit auto race at on Friday.
The event, , pitted the CHP against police from Watsonville and Scotts Valley, the Sheriff's Office and a State Parks ranger driving a Dodge power wagon truck.
Watsonville, with Sgt. Mike Ridgway behind the wheel of a department-issue crusier, got off to an early lead but was overtaken by a CHP officer driving a red four-banger. The State Parks ranger had a strong early showing, but spun out and finished near the back of the pack.
In the final laps, Scotts Valley police Lt. John Hohmann, driving his son's Nissan 240 SX, passed Ridgway to capture second place.
After the race, Ridgway joked that maybe next year Watsonville Police Chief Manny Solano would give officers a three-speed car to race in.
