Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?

[Jim Parsons]

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

[Michael Beard]

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.

[63corvette]

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

[Bobby DiDomenico]

Originally Posted by Michael Beard

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.

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?

[farmco r/sa]

Originally Posted by Michael Beard

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.

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

[The Hawk]

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.

[Jim Hawkins]

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?

[bobbyd6]

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

[Sean Marconette]

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