Post by srcamediarep2010 on Mar 22, 2010 15:26:03 GMT -5
Season Preparations Ongoing At Historic Kansas Drag Strip 3-9-2010
The SRCA Great Bend club members have a tedious task ahead in preparing for the drag strips upcoming season opener March 13 and Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series April 22-25 race but, the work continues on safety improvements and are so far on schedule. Listed as one of KS most historic sites by the State Historical Society, the track is operated by the club members and the group has worked through a tough winter accomplishing many projects that added to the overall safety of the facility. Through donations the SRCA acquired a one-ton dually from long time racer and Board Member Dan Kaiser and, refurbished it for use as a fire suppression vehicle. Local business owner Don ‘Mouse” Newkirk, also donated a three-quarter ton wrecker to the club on behalf of Nobody’s Auto Recycling Inc. The donated GM trucks are in top mechanical condition and will serve as first responders for the racers who compete here for many years to come. A new scraper attachment used with a skid steer tractor, provided by Board member Kenny Bonham, helped the club members with the scraping of the entire racing surface and weather permitting, competition will resume at the site of the first NHRA US National Saturday March 13.
The concrete barriers have been repositioned, straightened, and plated down the entire length of the Bumper To Bumper / Wix Filter sponsored right lane per NHRA request and, following the 3-I show, the Alliance Insurance Group / Progressive left lane will also be completed. Each lane will be exactly the same width when the project is finished per NHRA requests and, preliminary construction has also begun on the containment system at the end of the track. With nearly a mile of ‘flat ground’ run-off at the end, a gravel version of containment was chosen in order to meet NHRA Divisional track distinction. A new 1320go.com live timing system was also donated and installed and, new utility poles are scheduled to go up in the alcohol pit area to expand the current free electrical services the facility provides. The last remnants of the ‘old’ tower have been removed and, all new handicapped access ramps are being added to a section of grandstands. With a repositioning of starting line optics 4'6 feet inward, re-certification of the timing system must be completed by the Compulink Corporation. NHRA Division V Director, Rob Park, will be on hand to personally oversee the certification process.
The SRCA Board of Directors is always interested in person(s) willing to lend a hand in the ongoing track maintenance to please come forward and volunteer. Membership in the club is still $12 yearly for individuals and family membership is $16 and, if you are a fan of racing in general this is the club for you. The club meets bi-monthly under the tower and club members are encouraged to attend. The website has been updated and totally redesigned and people are encouraged to visit www.srcadragstrip.com for schedule and community links.
The SRCA Great Bend club members have a tedious task ahead in preparing for the drag strips upcoming season opener March 13 and Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series April 22-25 race but, the work continues on safety improvements and are so far on schedule. Listed as one of KS most historic sites by the State Historical Society, the track is operated by the club members and the group has worked through a tough winter accomplishing many projects that added to the overall safety of the facility. Through donations the SRCA acquired a one-ton dually from long time racer and Board Member Dan Kaiser and, refurbished it for use as a fire suppression vehicle. Local business owner Don ‘Mouse” Newkirk, also donated a three-quarter ton wrecker to the club on behalf of Nobody’s Auto Recycling Inc. The donated GM trucks are in top mechanical condition and will serve as first responders for the racers who compete here for many years to come. A new scraper attachment used with a skid steer tractor, provided by Board member Kenny Bonham, helped the club members with the scraping of the entire racing surface and weather permitting, competition will resume at the site of the first NHRA US National Saturday March 13.
The concrete barriers have been repositioned, straightened, and plated down the entire length of the Bumper To Bumper / Wix Filter sponsored right lane per NHRA request and, following the 3-I show, the Alliance Insurance Group / Progressive left lane will also be completed. Each lane will be exactly the same width when the project is finished per NHRA requests and, preliminary construction has also begun on the containment system at the end of the track. With nearly a mile of ‘flat ground’ run-off at the end, a gravel version of containment was chosen in order to meet NHRA Divisional track distinction. A new 1320go.com live timing system was also donated and installed and, new utility poles are scheduled to go up in the alcohol pit area to expand the current free electrical services the facility provides. The last remnants of the ‘old’ tower have been removed and, all new handicapped access ramps are being added to a section of grandstands. With a repositioning of starting line optics 4'6 feet inward, re-certification of the timing system must be completed by the Compulink Corporation. NHRA Division V Director, Rob Park, will be on hand to personally oversee the certification process.
The SRCA Board of Directors is always interested in person(s) willing to lend a hand in the ongoing track maintenance to please come forward and volunteer. Membership in the club is still $12 yearly for individuals and family membership is $16 and, if you are a fan of racing in general this is the club for you. The club meets bi-monthly under the tower and club members are encouraged to attend. The website has been updated and totally redesigned and people are encouraged to visit www.srcadragstrip.com for schedule and community links.
