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New from Heartland Park Topeka

Discussion in 'Midwest - USA (NE, KS, OK, MO, AR)' started by Tom Larkins, Nov 27, 2004.

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  1. Tom Larkins

    Tom Larkins Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
    293
    LSMO/LakeoftheOzarks
    #1 Tom Larkins, Nov 27, 2004
    www.hpt.com/news_press_rel_101304-2.htm

    This may be old news to some. There was a discussion awhile back about some saftey concerns w/the new configuration. This news may put those issues to bed. The orgininal course was a blast when I ran it with no issues. I look forward to running this track again and I would be willing to bet this will be the new home of the Run-offs after the current contract w/Mid-Ohie expires.
    .
     
  2. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
    Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner Social Subscribed

    Dec 1, 2000
    63,966
    Southlake, TX
    Full Name:
    Rob Lay
    #2 rob lay, Nov 29, 2004
    Sounds good, when did that SCCA racer die on the new config? I think the spring. I ran my second SCCA school and first race at HP. I love the track.
     
  3. cmparrenzo

    cmparrenzo F1 Rookie

    Mar 3, 2002
    2,687
    Kansas
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    Chris Parr
    #3 cmparrenzo, Nov 29, 2004
    I was on this track in August of this year filming a TV show for SPEED Channel...

    The owner is a nice guy and gave us a nice insight into the future of the track, the new surface is great news, the current surface is simply dangerous!

    The track is breaking up almost everywhere, so the track has loose gravel everywhere. The revamped front straight is so rough that it is impossible to get traction and it literally throws you all over, so forget about passing.

    The most dangerous part of the track is the new turn one over the birm,the turn consists of two sections, the first section is a slight left hand turn, part two starts at the top of an off camber blind hill with a right hand turn that drops off to the left causing the car to go light. This is the section where a Porsche driver was recently killed.

    This section needs to be revamped, but talking to SCCA officials, the current owner has no plans to revamp simply because he does not want to spend the money to have a professional track designer reconfigure this very dangerous section of track. I hope he reconsiders this, my source at SCCA is very concerned and unless this is resolved to SCCA's satisfaction, I doubt the run-offs are coming to Topeka.

    I am fortunate to have driven alot of tracks around the country, and I actually like Heartland, but until the surface is replaced and turn one is redone, this track is off limits to any FCA sanctioned event.
     
  4. Sean F.

    Sean F. F1 Rookie

    Feb 4, 2003
    3,066
    Kansas
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    Sean F
    #4 Sean F., Dec 1, 2004
    Would you believe that the original designer flew all over the world, Belgium, Germany, Italy, England, to come up with the original layout!
     
  5. Tom Larkins

    Tom Larkins Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
    293
    LSMO/LakeoftheOzarks
    #5 Tom Larkins, Dec 1, 2004
    Chris, I wonder if Mr. Irwins intention not to spend his money to correct the problem has now been resolved w/these $5mil. worth of improvements. I only say this b/c he is paving the entire 2.5 mile road course facility. I was told by a SCCA Mid-Div rep that it was the intention of the owner to secure the funding so a bid to secure the run-offs could be completed. If I'm a city leader that votes for the approval of GO bonds with Topeka secured backing to improve HPT and the SCCA has just moved to town, they may know something we don't. Certainly some of the improvements help keep the NHRA in town but paving that whole place. I guess I'll find out how this section of track is in the spring. Good thing I'm changing out the suspension in my car...if the pavement isn't fixed by spring its sounds like i'll need it.

    Regards
     
  6. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
    Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner Social Subscribed

    Dec 1, 2000
    63,966
    Southlake, TX
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    Rob Lay
    #6 rob lay, Dec 1, 2004
    Mid-Ohio came up for renewal 2 years ago I think and HP was strongly considered. So at minimum it will be in the running. However, I think the new contract with Mid-Ohio goes out several more years.
     
  7. mchferrari

    mchferrari Formula Junior

    Jun 6, 2004
    773
    Lawrence, KS
    Full Name:
    Matthew Holderbach
    #7 mchferrari, Dec 1, 2004
    I'm remember them trying to get $5mil from the city but I didn't know they already voted on it, this city takes awhile to get stuff done. I'm happy, improvements never hurt.
     
  8. cmparrenzo

    cmparrenzo F1 Rookie

    Mar 3, 2002
    2,687
    Kansas
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    Chris Parr
    #8 cmparrenzo, Dec 2, 2004
    The new surface will make a HUGE difference, I do hope that part of the money goes to making the area in question safer, it will take more than just a repavement to correct the problems though...
     
  9. Tom Larkins

    Tom Larkins Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
    293
    LSMO/LakeoftheOzarks
    #9 Tom Larkins, Dec 30, 2004
    I got an email the other day for the Dir. of Media & PR @ HPT that the paving would not begin until the fall of 05.
     

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