HPT Touring Laps 9/30

[Hagar46]

Anyone else interested in doing the 9/30 Heartland Park Topeka High Speed Touring Laps? I'll be in Salina that morning and was thinking of running HPT that afternoon.

[Minidave]

I'll, just be back from Dallas that weekend, I doubt I'll be able to get away. There is no Oct event this year is there?

[Hagar46]

Last one for 2009 is October 14th. I'll probably do that one also since it will be the last shot for the year.

[Minidave]

Well, let's shoot for that one for sure - although that's the week I'm supposed to be in Maui with my wife for our anniversary........

[cdecker78]

Well, let's shoot for that one for sure - although that's the week I'm supposed to be in Maui with my wife for our anniversary........

As if that's as important as LAPS at HPT! lol j/k

[Hagar46]

Anyone else going to HPT on the 30th?

[LiLReD1]

I wouldn't mind at least showing up! Does it cost something to run?

[Hagar46]

No cost to spectate. To run, annual member fee of $20 and $80 day of entry cost ($60 if pre-register). Must have approved helmet and pass tech inspection before getting on the track. Worth every penny in my mind!

[Minidave]

LR1, if you go up to watch, follow the road around to the back (east) side of the track and you can drive right into the paddock area. Once there the best areas to spectate from are the top of the grandstands, especially the north corner and maybe down by turn 1. You can walk/drive to pretty much any area of the track to watch from.........

But be forewarned, once you go, you'll be hooked!

If you ask, you may be able to get a ride with one of the advanced drivers in a Vette or Viper too.

There is no cheaper way to get onto a fine roadcourse like HPT and feed you need for speed, and you will not hurt your car unless you do someting really stupid. I've run probably 9 or 10 events there and the worst I've done is wear out some brake pads and tires. But, that's 9 events worth of fun too! At $60 each, that's about the same as one HPDE weekend for cost. It's not the same amount of instruction of course, but it is the same track - you take from it what you bring. IOW, if you pay attention and listen to those who are instructing you can learn a lot and have a ton o fun with your car in a safe, controlled atmosphere.

[LiLReD1]

Guess I'll go and pay. Will they still be running at 6 or 7pm?

[Laurie]

If you plan on just being a spectator, it is free. If you plan on driving, you will need to make sure you have a helmet that is approved by them. The requirements are on their site. They are only on the track until dusk, so 7:00 will be pushing it and probably not worth the money if you go that late.

[Minidave]

Guess I'll go and pay. Will they still be running at 6 or 7pm?

They won't accept any late entries after about 4 pm, cause you won't be able to get thru tech. You need to be there before 3:30 pm if you want to run, but spectating is free and you can arrive at any time.

The weather is going to be perfect so they should have a good turnout.

[LiLReD1]

Then I guess I'll only be spectacting if I come. How many going?

[Hagar46]

Turns out that I was the only MINI there. There were 5 Lotus Elise's, one supercharged to 350 hp and weighing just 1750 lbs. It seemed I had my arm out the window on every straight to wave on faster cars. Still great fun in the corners. Maybe we can get some other MINI's to HPT on Oct. 14th, the last opportunity this year.

[LiLReD1]

It's over? And I was about to head out!

[Minidave]

Wednesdays at 3 pm, check HPT.com for details, look under "Touring Laps Club"

[LiLReD1]

Doubt I can make that either... unless I can get a few hours off early.

We went ahead and went out there to see if there were any left overs of MINI's, but didn't see anything. Stuck around for the drag racing for a while.