LGGP

[theunz]

Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival
October 11,12,13 2019
Garnett Kansas. Near Kansas City
Drive an old race track (under controlled conditions, no racing, and passing only in designated areas), at varying speeds dependent on class entered ( slowest class is limited to 60mph, but hey, this is a city park that used to hold races in the 60's, and I bet that except for the straights, 60 is plenty fast for most of us old farts!. There is also an 80mph class and a 100 mph class. In addition there is an autocross event and a car show. If you like old sports and race cars, foreign and domestic, and like to see them driven, not just parked, than this is a golden opportunity for those of us who live in middle America to get together. There seems to be more and more Roadsters showing up on the fourm from this part of the country. As much as I'd like to make one of the big three shows in California or the Watkins Glen show, it's a 3 day drive to either coast. A week in motels (yuck) and a substantial fuel bill just to look at a bunch of static Roadsters is just not at the top of my list. The fun drives would certainly help. Now if I only had to drive 500 miles or so, well then sure I'd love it. I suspect there are many here that feel the same. It would be wonderful if we could turn this into an annual event and build something substantial out of it.

PS if anyone wanted to attend and needed a stop over near Tulsa, I have a one bedroom guest house where you could stay, if you came with some buddies and liked sleeping on the floor or a couch then there's room for more!

The following is a post by jabel from last year.


The Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival is a unique event that includes a track experience together with car shows, an autocross event, and great food; providing both the participant and the spectator a fantastic experience. What sets this event apart from the other automotive events is that the cars and the drivers are not race cars or racing drivers - they are classic cars owned and operated by enthusiasts.

This is a great event, I went with my son last year and we had a blast showing his 1969 2000, auto-crossing, and running some laps on the old race course I highly recommend it. We weren't the only Datsun in attendance but we were the only Roadster, hopefully there will be another Roadster or two this year.

There are some really cool vintage racing photos on the Facebook page including some shots of Roadsters racing on the old course back in the late 60's and early 70's.

I hope to see some of you there.

http://lggpr.org/index.php

[jabel]

Great post theunz! I look forward to meeting you @ LGGPR. We are going again this year with my son's 69 2000, he'll drive in the 100mph group and I'll be in the 80mph group, we'll also be at the autocross and the car show. I believe there will be at least 4 Roadsters there this year including yours.
Happy motoring!!!

[theunz]

Well now, that is good news. This will be the first time I saw four running roadsters together in, uhh, lord I don't know, EVER! Since you guys are running the faster groups, I guess I'll have to take the 60mph group. Ok, Ok, that's the one I already entered. Don't know how good the ole reflexes are these days I will be sharing my car with a friend, so he will drive one session and I'll drive the other. Haven't decided which one yet. But look for the old bald guy in number 7. Wait a minute, we're both old bald guys. I'll be the one looking like an amateur, my buddy has nearly 50 years of SCCA road racing under his belt. At any rate I'll too be looking forward to meeting you your son and any other roadster owners. As I said earlier, would love to see this turn into an annual event for mid America roadster owners. This seems, to me at least, to offer so much more fun then just a show and fun run. Come on guys, let's make something big out of this opportunity. See you there!

[theunz]

Jabel, you have a pm

[S Allen]

So, how did this go? I would like to try attending next year. Sounds like it would be a good time.

S

[Linda]

It hasn’t happened yet..
Oct 11,12,13
Linda

[jabel]

It hasn't happened yet but if it's anything like the last few years it will be loads of fun with lots of cool cars, spirited driving and great people.

[S Allen]

Whoops. My calendar is off.

S

[jabel]

This event was a blast and I enjoyed meeting TheUnz, unfortunately we didn't share the track but I did get to see his beautiful 69 2000 cruising the course at Lake Garnett.
I did talk to one of the organizers and he said if we ever feel like we can get 10-15 Datsuns there at one time they would make it the featured marque, which would be pretty awesome I think.

[S Allen]

That really sounds like it was fun. Any pictures from the event? I might be able to persuade a few more mid-west roadsters to attend. I prefer an event like this over a car show any day. Thanks.

Steve

[theunz]

I took lots of pictures and will post some Friday or Saturday. Got home Sunday evening and was to tired to post. Woke up Monday and Karen and I decided to go camping. Retirement will really wear you out. Was going to post while camping, but left my notes at home. As jable said it was a blast. Got to meet 3 great Roadster enthusiasts, Jim Able and His son Alex who shared Alex’s nice silver 69 2000 and Mannon who’s last name I can’t recall (why I need my notes) who has a nice 66 1600 stroker with 40mm Solex’s. If you are an old sports car and road racing buff like I am then this is nirvana. If you are strictly JDM or tunner centric, then there won’t be much for you. Jim, Alex, and Mannon have it figured out since they have been there several times. Run the autocross Saturday morning, car show Saturday afternoon, and then run the track event on Sunday. I did not arrive until late Saturday morning so I spent my time watching the vintage race cars at the track and then went to the car show. While the vintage cars are not “flat out”racing they are damn near it. They are allowed a little more leeway then we are on Sunday as far as speed and passing. Speaking of speed, on Sunday you have your choice of 3 speed groups...60mph, 80mph, or 100mph. Alex and Mannon ran the 100mph, Jim the 80mph, as he and Alex were sharing a car, and I ran the 60mph since it was my first time. Really, there’s only two long straights where you can get much over 60mph. I will do the 80mph group next year because while 60 is plenty for the corners, you can get held up on your exit speed by some of the underpowered cars. I was behind an old Mini Cooper that was pretty decent in the turns, but I would be right on it’s tail exiting a turn and then have to back right out of it since you are only allowed to pass on the two straights and even then you cannot exceed your class speed limit. If a car is holding you up they are suppose to slow down and way you by. That didn’t happen, but we both eventually caught up to a newer Challenger that slowed us both down. Just as well, probably kept me from doing something dumb and embarrassing myself. At any rate, it was the most fun I ever had in a car. You get 2 twenty minute sessions for each class you enter, and you can enter all three if you want and your budget allows. Entry fee was, I think, $80 per class and you got an event t-shirt and a goodie bag.
We should be able to easily get 6 or 8 roadsters there next year just from those that can make it in an easy days drive. Don’t now next years dates yet, but assume mid October, so mark your calendar and join us for an exhilarating experience!

[S Allen]

Looking forward to some pictures. I did find the website and a Facebook page. It does look like a lot of fun. I would probably only do one day. We shall see.

Steve

[jabel]

I do have a few photos but I'm unsure as to how to post photos on this site. My son posted a video on You Tube . LGGPR -19 group C Datsun 2000 it's his afternoon run and after a couple of laps he's passed by a 66 Roadster with a stroker engine. If you watch the video check out the cool old race track and keep in mind that they are in the 100mph group and having a blast.

[S Allen]

Here is the video.

[youtube][/youtube]

Pictures needs to be resized as most phones are set to take pictures that are far too big to post. If you want to send some to me I will make them so they post on the site. Thanks.

Steve

[theunz]

Here is just a sampling of the cars. I'll break it down to three posts, Saturday paddock, Saturday car show, and Sunday's paddock and track. Sorry, I didn't have time to make it to the autocross.