Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

What is the latest on HPT? With the Kansas Nationals scheduled in late May and not 1, but 2 LODRS Events to be held their in August...plus the D5 ET Finals in September, nothing seems to be communicated to clearly on it's pending closing.

Anyone have any first hand knowledge of the situation of HPT?

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

Here is the latest good news press release from the city of Topeka on Heartland Park.

Now it looks like they have to find someone to buy and then agree to invest another $5+ M for improvements over the next few years to satisfy the state's Star Bond requirements.

http://www.wibw.com/home/headlines/C...296674761.html

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

Does it look like this year's races will happen?

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

"Race fans will be pleased to know that both City Attorney Sublet and Colson have been told the NHRA will return to Topeka this year and a meeting this week will determine more specifics."

From the article in the link.

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

Ed,
It will be a good time, perfect cool weather for the 2 divisionals that are back to back in 4 days in August!

The divisionals and National are on the HPT website but I cannot find anything on the bracket schedule. Or when the track is going to open.

Sean

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

Wow ! as much money that has been invested in this
track by from what I understand as SCCA over the last
few years and it still needs another 5 Million dollars???

amazing!!

Do love topeka and this track!

Wonder what the " star bond requirements " are ?

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

Sean, maybe I can sweat a couple of pounds off that weekend. Lord knows I need to.
It's a short drive for me, and two points races for one close race worth of diesel. Sounds good to me. Hope it happens. No hotter than August in Oklahoma. :-)

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

Ed,
I remember Tulsa a couple of years ago, 100+ deg all weekend at the divisional. The track guys did a fantastic job of spraying water to keep the dust down. At Topeka you just can't get away from the heat because of all the asphalt. But its better than having to be pulled out of the mud like back in the 90's.
I hope the track issues get resolved as well, as the closest track will be 4+ hrs for me. Topeka is where I test more than I race.

Sean

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

As of Friday Heartland Park Topeka owners reported they were holding off any 2015 race scheduling until after this months city council meeting, with the exception of the May 22-24 NHRA event. Apparently due to pressure the city council has opted to hold a vote on buying the track with State Star bonds rather than proceed as last reported.


A petition has been started in support of the buy out and saving HPT.

https://www.change.org/p/heartland-p...nd-park-topeka

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

Thanks for posting this Jim. Hope you are doing well.

Sean

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

Is their any reason NHRA couldn't step in and buy the track??

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

they do not have the money, and actually less aggravation, show up with the national event crew and be guaranteed 1.8 million

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

We are trying to decide wherever or not to go to the national. With a little over a month to go before the race, are there any decisions made yet?

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

Larry, the National Event is a for sure deal, and as I understand the doubleheader divisional is also.

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

Agreed. Larry or anyone else I would not worry
about the national event. NHRA is commited with
sponsors and everything else. I am more worried
about this track closing and blowing a hole in the
middle of D5 and the whole country as far as that goes for
NHRA drag racing.....

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

Part of the races have been canceled although not drag racing. New city council member come on board this week end then we will see.

http://cjonline.com/sports/auto-raci...WOfNk.facebook

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

Topeka City council failed to pass the HPT measure to provide STAR funds for bail out!


http://cjonline.com/news/2015-05-05/...-park-purchase

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

I am all for racetracks. I am all against government (ie., taxpayers) owning/operating/paying for racetracks. That goes for all kinds of sports stadiums, too. If they are good investments, private ownership should invest in them.

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

Quote from Topeka Paper:

Sublet acknowledged that the city’s contract with the NHRA was terminated Monday.

“There is no contract between the city and NHRA,” Sublet said. “NHRA has been a willing participant with Heartland Park and the city for some time.”

What does this mean for the Tracks future operation?
I was told by an NHRA employee that NHRA had taken the full operation over for the National Event and that race only. That was to insure the event took place however, without a contract I wonder about any future events.

If the track goes away the people of Topeka will regret it in the future. The Nationals and Division races bring a pile of dollars to their economy and when that disappears they will notice.

I lived in Kansas for 11 years and was there when the track was built. It was a political hot potato since it began with the first race in October of 1989. Governor Finney was booed at the opening race because she fought to kill the race track from the planning stage. I was there and was very surprised when it happened.

The track had 2 National events for several years and I can tell you from experience the city business were crying when NHRA took away one of the Nationals.
Should the track go away it will not be pretty for many politicians.

Just My 2 Cents
Rick Cates

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

I've been told that is what makes teams such good investments Michael, someone else has all worthless the costs! What are you going to do with an empty stadium?

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

X2.... What is the government good at running exept
maybe the military???

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

Not only will the community lose the revenue from the National Event and Divisional Events, there`s also the ET Finals that is run there 4 out of every 6 years. A lot of racers attend that event when its contested there.

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

I see in early May the city council voted down investing in the track. And a big car show and race there in June has been cancelled. Any news on the remaining schedule and the points races in august?
Wonder what plan B is on the division schedule, Bandimere? Great Bend? Kearney?

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

Kearney needs 1/4 to 1/2 million dollars to make more paved pit roads, Unless the City of Kearney or Buffalo County chip in dont see that happening!! I wish as it is only 50 miles away from me

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

It would be nice if Rob Parks would let everyone know what the contingency plan is in advance. If HPT is not open for the back to back divisional races people need to check on hotel availability and cost of travel and if additional time off work is needed for travel.

Hopefully things get resolved soon.

Sean

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

I agree Sean. I planed on making that instead of No Problem. Last year the No Problem trip was $1000.00 for diesel alone.

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

This is new, so not very promising for Aug.

http://cjonline.com/news/business/20..._content=image

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

Thanks Sean. depressing to think a drive in theatre
may do better than as a mulit use race facility??

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

Randy, it looks like they proposed adding the drive-in.
All of those plans include keeping the track a track, but who knows what's really going on behind closed doors?

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

I should read closer instead of rapidly skimming....
Yeah I wonder what really is going on and hopefully
it does include keeping the track and it making money.....perhaps
as multi use facility.

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

Jim Farnum has been proposing Drag Strips, and Nascar tracks for the last 10 years, NONE have surfaced...HMMMMMM !! and, his previous business Pro Motorsports went bankrupt.

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

Does not sound good for the points meets in August!

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

No it doesn't...
If you are in a division and or national points
tussle may not want to pencil august in for topeka.....

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

A little surprising Super Gas is supposed to finish the rained out Tulsa Race at the Topeka Points race.

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

It's hard to believe but we will see!

https://www.facebook.com/nhradiv5/posts/946343702054075

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

It will be interesting to see who pays the 58 thousand dollar water bill owed to the city. M.J.

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

Bowling Green could be real full.

Re: Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?
 

Larry, Topeka and Bowling Green are on different weekend this year, I talk to Bob Blackwell last week and he said Topeka was a go. Tom