Y2K5SRT
Enthusiast
Well, we have been planning a pretty exciting event here for our Kansas City VCA chapter. With the opening of the latest NASCAR/CART/Indycar venue this month, the Kansas Speedway is definitely on our "to do" list. When I found out that the Richard Petty Driving Experience was coming to our new track, I checked on it for our club. Guess what? We are going racing Winston Cup style!
On August 5th we have arranged for our club to go through the Driving Experience as a group. In addition, they will allow us to get some "on track" photos of our cars with the Winston Cup cars. They will have a professional photographer there for us and can put our VCA logo on the photos as well. We made sure to invite our friends from the Nebraska/Iowa VCA and Gateway VCA regions. In no time at all we had completely sold out of every available slot! The great folks at Richard Petty invited me to come by the new track today and take a peek at the set up. Having run 80 laps with them in Las Vegas (what a rush!!), I knew it would be a blast. I wasn't disappointed!
I arrrived outside the brand new facility and found all the entrances still closed. So too did another car guy who was trying to get in. We "tag teamed" until we found the right entrance. Oh, and his car rumbled real nice:
Once found, we got inside and checked it out. What an AWESOME track! The Richard Petty Experience was already at full throttle and we watched as these cars took on new students. For those that aren't familiar with the program, these are 600+ horsepower Winston Cup style cars. See for yourself:
After watching them roar off, they invited me to bring my crusty ol' Dodge around to get a picture or two for your viewing pleasure. Here is one of my faves:
Of course, you need at least one shot with the main grandstands in the background:
The Petty folks were interested in the Dodge as well. Here their technical crew and event manager look it over from afar (they couldn't believe how wide the tires on the Viper were!):
Finally, I had a nice chat with one of Kansas' finest. He is one of the troopers that will be assisting at the track and he was great to talk with. We admired each others cars and we decided to do the usual pose, with the Viper "assuming the position":
At that point we were starting to attract a pretty big crowd of our own and I decided it was time to call it a day. The people were great and we are VERY, very excited about our upcoming event. Indeed, I ran into one of our club members at the track today: Gary had bought Rookie Experience sessions for his son and son-in-law, as well as a ride along for his daughter. They had a blast!
If you or any of your club members is interested in doing this as a group at a track near you (they do these coast to coast), contact Dan Sorenson at the Richard Petty Experience. His number is (704) 454-6254. Be sure to tell him that Chris Marshall from the Kansas City Viper Club referred you. He will give you a GREAT deal and treat you like The King!
Chris
On August 5th we have arranged for our club to go through the Driving Experience as a group. In addition, they will allow us to get some "on track" photos of our cars with the Winston Cup cars. They will have a professional photographer there for us and can put our VCA logo on the photos as well. We made sure to invite our friends from the Nebraska/Iowa VCA and Gateway VCA regions. In no time at all we had completely sold out of every available slot! The great folks at Richard Petty invited me to come by the new track today and take a peek at the set up. Having run 80 laps with them in Las Vegas (what a rush!!), I knew it would be a blast. I wasn't disappointed!
I arrrived outside the brand new facility and found all the entrances still closed. So too did another car guy who was trying to get in. We "tag teamed" until we found the right entrance. Oh, and his car rumbled real nice:
You must be registered for see images
Once found, we got inside and checked it out. What an AWESOME track! The Richard Petty Experience was already at full throttle and we watched as these cars took on new students. For those that aren't familiar with the program, these are 600+ horsepower Winston Cup style cars. See for yourself:
You must be registered for see images
After watching them roar off, they invited me to bring my crusty ol' Dodge around to get a picture or two for your viewing pleasure. Here is one of my faves:
You must be registered for see images
Of course, you need at least one shot with the main grandstands in the background:
You must be registered for see images
The Petty folks were interested in the Dodge as well. Here their technical crew and event manager look it over from afar (they couldn't believe how wide the tires on the Viper were!):
You must be registered for see images
Finally, I had a nice chat with one of Kansas' finest. He is one of the troopers that will be assisting at the track and he was great to talk with. We admired each others cars and we decided to do the usual pose, with the Viper "assuming the position":
You must be registered for see images
At that point we were starting to attract a pretty big crowd of our own and I decided it was time to call it a day. The people were great and we are VERY, very excited about our upcoming event. Indeed, I ran into one of our club members at the track today: Gary had bought Rookie Experience sessions for his son and son-in-law, as well as a ride along for his daughter. They had a blast!
If you or any of your club members is interested in doing this as a group at a track near you (they do these coast to coast), contact Dan Sorenson at the Richard Petty Experience. His number is (704) 454-6254. Be sure to tell him that Chris Marshall from the Kansas City Viper Club referred you. He will give you a GREAT deal and treat you like The King!
You must be registered for see images
Chris
