five7kid

iTrader: (14)

I haven't seen much discussion on this forum regarding drag racing (well, there is a drag racing forum, so not too surprising). But this is kind of a regional issue.

I've been there several times for the NHRA Division V ET Finals, but didn't go in 2015. Was rather a bummer for local racers last year to find out just before the season that there wasn't going to be a season. Pretty cool of Div V to set up an ET race weekend before the ET Finals to set up a team for the track.

With a new owner and operator this year, hopefully it'll settle in to a more normal season. NHRA has already said the Kansas Nationals and divisional Sportsman races will be held there, along with the ET Finals.

I've never been in favor of government involvement with sports/entertainment facilities; from what I've read, this move should sever that tie for HPT permanently.

Assuming I qualify for the Bandimere ET Finals team this year, I'll have to decide whether to go for the race, or stay home to run in a local season points race. Pretty ticked that our track did that to us again in 2016 (which is why I didn't go to the ET Finals in 2015 - ended up being the season champ in that class, which wouldn't have happened had I gone to Topeka that weekend).

So, maybe see some of you there, maybe not.

86 Money Pit

five7kid,

As a life long resident of Topeka I couldn't agree more. The new owner of the track is a racer himself, everyone I know in the local racing community says this is the absolutely best thing that could happen for this track. I used to pull my son out of classes in elementary school and take him racing when the "big boys" were in town for the NHRA Nationals (he is 29 now!). I am so relieved that the track got a reprieve and I looking forward to a lot more good racing at Heartland Park.

I hope you make it to town this summer, let us know if you do; I would love to come out a watch your car running down the fastest 1/4 mile track in the nation!

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Good to hear. There are often a lot of 3rd gens out there now.

One "issue" I have is my regular race car, the '57 Bel Air, is too fast in Topeka for the Sportsman ET class. I'd have to slow it down to run there. The Camaro (affectionately known as "Ugly Betty") is right at the 12.00 low ET cut-off for Sportsman, so if I go, I'd have to decide which to do - slow down the '57, or run a car I don't race much.

Have to say, though, that the ET Finals haven't been too kind to me as of late. I won Sportsman in 2004, haven't won a round in the Sunday race since 2007 (although I was runner-up in the Sportsman Race of Champions in 2009, and still in that race when they called it in 2011).

Last time I was there was 2013. This was its fastest pass ever (11.82).




And now you know why it's "Ugly Betty"...

Chevy-vs.-Ford

Maple Hill, Ks resident. It was definitely refreshing to see the HP bought by an automotive enthusiast. I hope the future is bright.