Heartland Park Topeka---latest?!?

[The Hawk]

Originally Posted by Sean Marconette

How many people are going to travel to an out of division track that is over an 8hr drive? Really??

Sean

Actually Sean, Topeka is an IN Division track for us out here on the west side and it`s a 9 to 10 hour tow.

[Michael Beard]

Takes me over 8 hours to get to Cordova, and had to make *2* trips there for In-Division races.

[btrc]

When I lived in Mt. Iron, Minnesota and we went to the Pueblo, Colorado points meet, which we did 3 or 4 times, it was over 1200 miles and 20 hrs for an in division race. 8 or 9 hrs. would be nice.

[63corvette]

Originally Posted by BobOrme

That would make sense for at least two reasons. It would show some Topeka residents the significant financial bump to the local economy these events actually produce, and also show that the facility is still viable and desirable to host these types of drag racing events to both the local population and potential buyers of the facility.

Bob, many of the people in Topeka do not want the track there.
I do not really understand why but many there do not have any idea of what kind of money the racers there bring into Topeka.
I lived in western Kansas for 11 years and was there when the Topeka track was built.
It was a political hot potato when it was built and that has not changed since 1989 when the track opened.
I have attended the race/races at Topeka since the track opened in 1989 and know many people and racers who live there. I have only missed one National since 1989 and that was the year they did not run Super Gas which is what I currently race.

This year when we traveled to the May National Event race we made it a point to let everyone we shopped with and all the eating establishments know we were there for the races. We had hoped that would show that we were there to support the track. We had several negative comments from several of those places about the racers not leaving any money there and just taking advantage of the Topeka Tax Payers. I was very surprised about those comments. It was very hard for me to believe they would trash people leaving money in their business and city. That told me the race track was a very sore subject in Topeka for many people and businesses. One business owner, and he was the owner, was not very nice and almost ran us out of the place when he found out we were there racing. He was really upset about the race track even existing. He was most upset about the City being on the hook for about 10 million dollars in bonds no matter what happens with the track and he let us know all about it.

From discussions with the race friends who live in Topeka or nearby it seems the city officials did not sell keeping the track in operation very well. The opposition to the track was well organized and vocal and the city officials were not in either case. Someone really needs to get something published in the newspaper about the actual dollar impact the racers make on the Topeka economy. You would think the newspaper would do this without anyone asking as a public service. That would be an eye opener if some real facts and figures were published. Someone should also call the Douglas WY city officials there about loosing their Division race some years ago and the impact to the businesses there on that small race. I understand the businesses came to the city council the year it was not held there and asked what happened and why the race was no longer there. They noticed when it was not held there. Topeka, the people, and businesses there will take note if the track really does go away. They will be wondering what happened.

Just My 2 Cents
Rick Cates
Now in Canyon TX and retired.

[jailbreakracing]

I raced the Denver divisional and spoke to Bob Blackwell who stated division 5 is having power and water turned on for Topeka divisional and et finals. For those who are concerned.

[The Hawk]

Originally Posted by 63corvette

Someone should also call the Douglas WY city officials there about loosing their Division race some years ago and the impact to the businesses there on that small race. I understand the businesses came to the city council the year it was not held there and asked what happened and why the race was no longer there. They noticed when it was not held there.Just My 2 Cents
Rick Cates
Now in Canyon TX and retired.

Looking like Douglas is about to go away.

[Sean Marconette]

Originally Posted by The Hawk

Actually Sean, Topeka is an IN Division track for us out here on the west side and it`s a 9 to 10 hour tow.

Lane and Michael I was referring to post #39. As that would be an out of division track.

[farmco r/sa]

reference NHRA tech posting 7/20/2015.

[Jim Parsons]

Looks like some good news about Heartland park.

Jim


http://www.wibw.com/home/headlines/C...321102171.html

[The Hawk]

Very cool!