Heartland Park Touring Laps - 2008

Minidave · Post by **Minidave** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 7:45 pm

HPT has announced the 2008 schedule for Touring Laps, dates as follows

April 16
May 14
June 11
July 16
Aug 13
Sept 10

Right now there is no Oct. date listed, maybe it conflicts with the Solo or the SCCA Runoffs.

I'm not sure, but it looks like the $20 fee is a one time deal, not yearly.

So, start planning your calendar to join us on track!

More details as HPT announces them.

Counterfit_Mini · Post by **Counterfit_Mini** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:42 pm

I might try to make it to a track day.

Post by **Laurie** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 9:56 pm

According to the Old Farmer's Almanac for 2008, the sun set times for all of these dates is at least 8:00pm (except for Sept.)

That means lots of lap time, an extra bonus!

Punk_Mini · Post by **Punk_Mini** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 10:30 pm

I will have my coilovers dialed in and my other stuff cooking and I am down for acouple

petek · Post by **petek** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 10:27 am

I'll put those dates on my calendar NOW!

Minidave · Post by **Minidave** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 2:25 pm

I've already put in for Vacay on those days, the only ones I might not make are July and August, and if it's as hot as it was last year - I won't mind missing those!

Hagar46 · Post by **Hagar46** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 2:30 pm

I'll be there as many dates as I can. Also planning to go to Hallett, OK at least once next summer if anyone is interested. Their touring days are usually weekends, 5 sessions per day. Details to come in the coming months.

Can you tell I've got the bug!

MiniGeoff · Post by **MiniGeoff** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 6:38 pm

I don't know what I'm doing next week, let alone in April. Considering that I work in the world of Finance and my wife works for the IRS, I'd say that I'll be swamped on 4/16 and will miss then. The rest, I dunno about. I'm probably not able to make any (they are Wednesdays, right?) until July or August, but I'll do any I can for sure.

hctiev · Post by **hctiev** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 9:38 pm

Count me in for most of them. Right now my goal is to improve my brakes a bit. As I'm sure anyone who spent time on the track this last year will tell you - stopping (and stopping well) is more important that going.

Has Audi or BMW announced their HPDE days? I know that I'm going to want to hit at least one of them.

dimini · Post by **dimini** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 6:13 pm

I plugged each date into my planner. Of course, I don't turn down substantial billable hours for a track day, but at this point, I have the dat es available.

JRutherford · Post by **JRutherford** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 11:34 am

I'm interested in trying to make a few of these this year. What is the typical timing (i.e. when do you need to be at HPT), cost for each run, instructors for early runs, etc?

Minidave · Post by **Minidave** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 12:48 pm

Check out THIS thread for our August date last year, most info is there. or you can go to HPT.com and look for "Touring laps"

You'll need to join the track for $20, and each session is $60. Last year our June 21st session included 5 runs (longest day of the year) but since they canceled July due to track renovations we missed that one. there are lots of video's and such in the thread topic, check them out!

Last year at the last session I was very disappointed with the instructor/ student ratio for beginners, they've promised to do better this year and many of last years participants will be graduating to "intermediate" status this year, which should help.

kabootist · Post by **kabootist** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:20 pm

Anyone on the books for April? I don't feel like going there by myself...especially the first time. Might try to get my brother and his Porsche 911 Carrera up there too, I've been meaning to try to beat him. Also maybe we can do the Caravan thing over there, I've lived in kansas for 18 years and never knew HPT had anything besides a drag strip. Also any recommendations for places to get helmets locally?

Minidave · Post by **Minidave** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:35 pm

Don't know any local places, I got mine from Soloracer.com

I'm going in April for sure, and I think about 5 other MINI owners already have it on their schedules as well.

We usually meet somewhere in the Legends for lunch and then caravan up to the track. Check in starts at 3pm with Tech, then it's driver's meeting at 4:15 and first cars hit the track at 4:30.

Definitely have your brother bring his Porsche too!

kabootist · Post by **kabootist** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:32 pm

Signed up for April 16th....now to order a helmet.

addition to post:

A few hours later.....HELMET ORDERED! h00ray!

Post by **Laurie** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 10:41 pm

I bought a helmet last year here: www.motodirect.com. It was just under $73 delivered. That was a pretty good price from what I could see on the web. It is a full face helmet and the face shield is removable. You need to check with HPT to see what Snell rating they are allowing this year. Mine is a M2005 and it was acceptable last year. I think they wanted M2000 or newer last year.

kabootist · Post by **kabootist** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:15 pm

From what i saw it was M2005/SA2005 or higher, I just bought one from soloracer.com for 120 shipped. I bought a decent one cause It will probably double as my motorcycle helmet. The very cheap ones, I found from experience are not very comfortable for the 3 - 4 hour rides on motorcycle. Great if you are only gonna use it a couple times a year though! The extra expense is worth saving my noodle in case I fall off my motorcycle...not to worried about rolling the MINI.

Hagar46 · Post by **Hagar46** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 1:45 pm

Just registered for April 16th. Can't wait!

JRutherford · Post by **JRutherford** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 3:41 pm

April may be dicey for me, but hope to check it out this year.

Minidave · Post by **Minidave** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 3:44 pm

Remember, the Touring Lap Events are only on Wednesdays......

Post by **Laurie** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 4:55 pm

FYI, I had a question about the $20 fee that HPT charges. Here is the response I got.

Laurie,

This is an annual fee, or a one time fee per race season. So, when you paid the $20 in 2007 that only covered you for the 2007 race season. You will need to pay $20 for the 2008 season as well. I hope this answers your question. Thank you and have a good day!

Brianne Paletta
Web Design/Marketing
Heartland Park Topeka
bpaletta@hpt.com

**Check out the HPT Online Souvenir Store at www.hpt.com**

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: L Sorenson
To: hptinfo@hpt.com
Sent: Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:40:47 -0600
Subject: Touring Club Lapping Days

I have a question for your regarding registration for Touring Club Lap Days. I participated in this event last year in October and paid $80 ($20 + $60). Since I paid the $20 already once, do I have to pay it again this year? The wording on the website is confusing to me. It says annual administration fee $20.00 (one time). I don't know if that means you only have to pay it one time or you have to pay it annually.

If you could please clear up my confusion, I would be greatly appreciative. I am planning on registering for several events this year.

Thanks for your time,

Laurie Sorenson

hctiev · Post by **hctiev** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 1:14 pm

I'm registered for April.

JRutherford · Post by **JRutherford** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 11:01 am

It's not my intent to stir the pot; however, for those with concerns regarding safety on lapping days, perspective from those who have participated in the past would be greatly appreciated

For reference, there has been a lot of discussion on this recently on the KC Motorsports board: http://mokanmotorsports.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2816

Race · Post by **Race** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 5:24 pm

I am aiming for the May date. I need to do some brake work, tires, alignment, routine fluid changes, etc. to get ready for it. Just not enough time to do it before the April date.

kabootist · Post by **kabootist** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 11:55 pm

Take a look at the Track Prep Day thread and we can probably squeeze some of that work in so you dont have so much to do before the may track day. I was thinking about planning more pre track/summer days before the track days. Figure its a good idea to check stuff out before driving crazy no matter what.