We need your input about HPT...

[gareno]

Please make this a positive discussion. I will post below Jason Hull's request for input. See link for a visual.
http://www.hpt.com/forum/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=4&threadid=248&enterthread=y


We are in negotiations with Heartland Park to use the new Solo Pad
(home of the Solo Nationals in 2006 for anyone who's not aware) for
regional Solo events in 2006. Any way we slice it, its going to be
very expensive. If we can get it for as low as $1000 per day I will
consider that a huge victory. We need to get a feel for the level of
interest. We of course need feedback from our regular Kansas Region
members, but also those members who don't Solo as often as they might
or go to out of region events because of our less than stellar
selection of sites, and I would also like to hear from out of region
members who are members of this message board to gauge your level of
interest in competing at Kansas Region Regional events at HPT.

Again, if your not up to speed, in 2006 The Solo Nationals is moving
to HPT to run on the newly constructed Solo Pad/South Paddock. The
Pad is roughly 54 acres or about the size of the north and south Solo
courses combined at Forbes. Its racetrack grade asphalt. There are no
light poles, they've all been placed around the perimeter of the pad,
and there are no storm drains, the entire pad has been angled slightly
to allow for rain to run off.

First of all, what's the general level of interest in running here
compared to running at Forbes or good ol Seaman high school? Entry
fees will have to go up. Is it worth $25? $30? How many events
should we hold there? We may be able to have 2 events at KU this
year, and if feasible I would like to hold the rest at HPT and not use
Seaman. Based on the attendence at the last Seaman event of 05, there
are apparently quite a few of you who would rather not run at Seaman
as well. For those who don't attend Solos that regularly, would
running at HPT make you more likely to attend Kansas Region events?
For you out of region Soloers, would you come to Topeka for a Solo at
HPT? Finally, what's your take on a 2-day "Double Header" regional
event, or a Saturday events?

Thanks in advance for your input.

Jason Hull
Kansas Region SCCA
Solo Director & Webmaster
_________________
Greg Reno
06 Mini Cooper S
#36 GS

[kwenzel]

For you out of region Soloers, would you come to Topeka for a Solo at
HPT? Finally, what's your take on a 2-day "Double Header" regional
event, or a Saturday events?

Speaking for myself - I would probably attend as many as I could, 1-day or 2-day. It would be worth a lot to me to get time on that surface. I suspect a lot of folks within a day's drive of Topeka feel the same way.

[Van]

Same here. Current plan is to attend Nats in '06. I'd like to make it out to a solo event if schedule allows.

Van

[LoCore]

I've already starting talking with the folks I regularly drive with, and we are already planning on making it out for the MidDiv championships. I suspect we would also make the trip out for a 2-day event, but probably not a 1-day event.

Count me as "in".

[PaulL]

I was already checking the Kansas Region web site to see if they would be holding solo events at HPT, because I WILL go to them.

I do not think the MiDivs are necessarily being held at HPT, David, and it doesn't look like any solo events are scheduled there yet except for Nats.
('course I could be wrong, because my cryptology certificate has expired);
http://www.midiv.org/Code/Calendar.htm

Bring some events to HPT, and we will attend!

[Bob Klingler]

I believe there is a strong interest in attending events at the new HTP Solo site, just as soon as dates become available. National competitors are certainly eager to try out the new surface. We have been anticipating, at the very least, a HTP MidDivional event the first weekend in August because a Topeka event is shown at that time, on your schedule. You'll also notice that there is no RMSolo event scheduled on that date; that for good reason. ;)

Two-day local events, earlier on the schedule, would also attract a good number of participants from surrounding states. Travel time and costs suggest you should get better response to these than one-day events. And obviously, the better attended event allows a more economical, yet profitable event. $1,000+/day rental cost should not cause trepidation.

[Proxenus]

I've already starting talking with the folks I regularly drive with, and we are already planning on making it out for the MidDiv championships. I suspect we would also make the trip out for a 2-day event, but probably not a 1-day event.

Count me as "in".

Same here. I'd love to get some time in out there. Preferrably a 2 day event, but I'd really think about a 1 day'er too.

[Highlander]

I could be talked into going to a Divisional at HPT.
Graeme

[baysinger]

Here's another "yea for 2 day" vote. I was planning on the divisional event, and if your region can put together some 2 day regional events, it'd be a great chance for people to test out the new surface before the National Championships.

- J

[Proxenus]

Actually, a 1 day event wouldn't be as productive, but would require less vacation time for me.. so I'd probably consider 1 day events as well.

[Proxenus]

Here's a picture of the new pad to tickle your taste buds:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a377/hptmoderator/e71585a1.jpg

[baysinger]

MMmmmm... Yummy.

Dear God that track has a lot of possible configurations!

- J

[LoCore]

Great picture, Jesse.

I didn't realize it was so close to Forbes Field!

[Eric Pollock]

I didn't realize that too! That's Forbes Field? Sweet. Atleast staying in town will not take much longer to get to the event.

[Proxenus]

I didn't realize that too! That's Forbes Field? Sweet.

No. It's Heartland Park. Forbes Field is where nationals used to be.

[PaulL]

Forbes is in the background.

[Eric Pollock]

Forbes is in the background.

That what I was suggesting.

[Proxenus]

Forbes is in the background.

Duh, heh. Brain no worky yesterday. I didn't realize it was that close either.