Planned NEW TRACK South of KC Needs SUPPORT

[sasrocks]

 There is a plan to build an Autobahn-like course about 30 miles south of Kansas City. It looks to be awesome:
www.middlecreekmotorsport...index.html

November 15 is a very important hearing where a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application wil be voted on. There is local opposition to the project on the grounds of noise and lack of economic impact.

If you want to get a sense of the tactics used by the opposition: //www.nospeedway.com

The analogy drawn to development around Heartland Park (built on an abandoned military base) are misleading. There will be increased demand for hotels, gas stations, restaurants etc to support SCCA (sports car), CMRA, CCS and club events like NESBA, given that the southern outskirts of KC are too far away to soak up that demand.

The group behind this project is very receptive to motorcycle events being held there for obvious reasons. They are requesting support both locally and across the region and country to show the drawing power these events will have.

Think about the miles and hours you drive to distant tracks to spend money you would not othewrwise spend there!

A key to the pro-track side of the argument is to convey to the folks considering this CUP the very high potential for bringing extra dollars into the area to revitalize the counties economy, create jobs and increase the tax base.

Please communicate your support for this project by sending an email to the Miami County Planning Director and copying the development committee:

Scott McCullough smccullough@miamicountyks.org

and cc rickw@middlecreekmotorsports.com

This will ensure that the people who are trying to get the track approved know what support is being expressed toward their side, and reduces the chances of that support being played down (not that that would ever happen!!)


If you want more information straight from the drivers behind this project, you can contact

Cooper Weeks 816-308-4199

Please do this before Nov 15. thanks!

[motobenco]

You can have my support provided that you find someone else to design the track. Also I'd be willing to help if you install Arthur Bryant's food service at the track.

[Super Dave]

I'm going to throw a wrench at this one.

It's potentially an Alan Wilson track.  I think many of his designs are dangerous.

Heartland Park Topeka is very close to the KC Metro area and it is owned by a commited management team.

[Gixxer124]

Yeh. Thats the last thing we need. More places to race. ::)

[stk0308]

A new ROAD COURSE in the midwest?  Sign me up.  My parents live in KC.  Free room and board for me, whoot!  ;D

[motobenco]

Blackhawk Farms to Autobahn = 126 miles
Middle Creek to Heartland Park = 95 miles

[sasrocks]

Hey Dave... which of the tracks below are so dangerous you would refuse to run on them?

Barber
MAM
Gingerman
Autobahn

These tracks were all designed by Alan Wilson.  If his expertise was so deficient, why was he picked to design the $51 million Miller Motorsports Park in Utah?

My points are:

- Many knowledgeable folks have concerns about aspects of his designs. I am not knowledgeable enough to defend or criticize specific track designs.
- Middle Creek has not turned a shovel in the dirt yet.  Why pan it?  
- Instead why not investigate further, talk to the developers, and use your industry influence and knowledge to raise any safety concerns you (as a racer, not track designer) might see, before the project gets too far along to change the design?
- If it turns out to be not suited for motorcycles, they won't run there much.  (see Gateway)
- Bottom line, more choices,  the better.

cheers

[motovid.com]

Concurrent to this proposed development, Heartland Park Topeka (http://www.hpt.com)  is already in the final stages of a 15M renovation that broke ground earlier this year, to be complete by the 2006 season launch. http://hpt.com/ns/newsdetail.cfm?NID=107

Part of which is the complete replacement of the existing track; including new configuration, 45 ft wide, 1" offset saw tooth FIM curbing, no stick paint and other safety considerations. For the pits/paddock HPT will have new buildings, showers, wifi access in the pits, and more.  

Certainly, motorcyclists, racers, track day enthusiasts in the KC market ALREADY have a world class facility to race/practice/ride in 2006 about 1 hour from KC...... http://www.hpt.com

I can tell you, HPT will have more motorcycle weekday events on the schedule, in addition to test & tune days beyond the weekends for clubs and races.

Btw, the 2006 SCCA (sports car club of america) Runoffs, Solos, like the CCS Race of Champions are scheduled to run their final event of the season for the next 6 years @ HPT.

This certainly adds creedence to the facilities itself, beyond mgmt. and ownership's ability to run world class events with excitement, success and safety in mind.

Check out the facility and wait until you see the new configuration. For those who have ridden HPT, off the straight, over the blind right-hander then brake HARD & TURN RIGHT, QUICK LEFT INTO A DOWNHILL STRAIGHT ENTRANCE TO A VERY FAST SWEEPER/CAROUSEL!  

2006 @ HPT is gonna be quite fun & FAST!

I will post pics next week from the developments for the forum.

[LMsports]

Very exciting. HPT has always been one of those tracks that I have always thought, that once it was repaved it may be one of my favorite tracks. I can't wait.