(Editor's Note: The is the second of two articles about Monday's approval of the Great Bend STAR Bond Project Plan. Part one focused on the numbers behind the plan and can be read by CLICKING HERE. Part two features comments about the importance of the SRCA Dragstrip and what potential improvements to the facility could mean for Great Bend).
By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Great Bend City Administrator Logan Burns outlined the city’s STAR Bond Project Plan Monday to the city council Monday night before the body approved the plan with a 7-0 vote. The plan, which Burns called “one of the most significant economic development opportunities in Great Bend’s history,” will be divided into multiple phases, with improvements at the SRCA Dragstrip included in Phase 1. National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) West Central Division Director Nick Duty opened by thanking the city for its work to restore the track.
“The National Hot Rod Association has been doing this since 1951, so we’re celebrating our 75th anniversary,” he said. “Great Bend has been here for most all of that time, 71 years itself. This upcoming event, we’re expecting over 500 participants. I think right now we’re about to about 20 states that will be represented, as well as Canada this weekend. We are expecting just another flawless event.”
Brian Lohnes, lead announcer for NHRA, appeared via a pre-recorded video. He highlighted the recent Heritage Series races held at SRCA over the July 4 weekend, and as well as the upcoming Lucas Oil Series this weekend, and the Summit ET Series scheduled for late September.
“All of these races, including every NHRA program, will continue to bring people into the Great Bend area,” Lohnes said. “Those investments they make, whether it’s in lodging, whether it’s in different purchases they make, are certainly beneficial to the city. This dragstrip is very beneficial to the sport and the NHRA in total.”
Phase 1 of the STAR Bond project would include the construction of grandstands, a museum, restrooms, and a concession area at SRCA. Lohnes said no improvements go unnoticed.
“Multiple national touring series of NHRA racers will come to Great Bend, Kansas this year, and for years to come,” he said. “The better show and the better place we can give them to race, the larger those crowds will become, and the more successful this whole venture will be.”
Joey Keith represents Racers for Christ, which provides ministry and church services at events across the country. Keith has spent 40 years in the sport as a third-generation racer. He told the council the legacy of SRCA cannot be overlooked.
“If you think about SRCA, you think of a legacy,” he said. “Grandparents and parents take their kids out there. It’s generational. My kids have raced at SRCA. We’ve traveled long distances to race there and compete there for multiple reasons. There’s something special about that place. You feel it the moment you drive onto that property.”
Keith and Councilman Gary Parr thanked the people who make the SRCA Dragstrip work.
“The bulk of the work done out there is by volunteers,” Parr said. “Those guys bust their you-know-what’s to put one of these races on. When it’s 95 degrees outside, it’s at least 120 degrees on that track. If you see these guys out there working, if you see them around town, thank them. They’re giving up their time freely to do all this. That’s hard work.”
SRCA Vice President Doug Reh said the facility is now using a new online ticketing system, which will allow staff to report visitor information to the city. As of Monday, racers from 24 states plus two Canadian provinces had signed up for this weekend’s Lucas Oil Series. Nearly 180 orders had already been placed online, though Reh expects approximately 700 people to attend the races.
Finally, SRCA President spoke of the potential of the dragstrip. Several other entities beyond NRHA could use the track. The problem is space and timing with race season running only from April through October.
“Look at the city calendar for the (Expo Complex) and see what’s scheduled out there, then see what available dates are truly available out there, because you also have another entity out there in the National Guard,” said Denning. “That’s my view looking in. You guys are asking what can we bring? We can bring it to you, but we have to have the time to do it.”