By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Along with a $1.6 million project that tore out and reconstructed the
dragstrip, the SRCA put together a $250,000 fundraising goal to replace the
protection wall or barriers and timing system.
The barriers line the track for safety reasons for the fast moving dragsters.
Trying to get the new protection wall and time system to be installed to
coincide with the reconstructed dragstrip, the SRCA received a $160,000 loan from the City of Great Bend to
move forward with the purchase.
SRCA President Hank Denning said the
organization does not want to be in debt to the city very long, but need to
lock in the price before costs rise.
"If we don't pre-buy, we'll never be able to pay for this project, because every dollar we are raising, it's only good for about 50 cents," said Denning. "It is going to get worse as the year goes on. Let us lock in the price for the wall, because last year it was $25 a foot and now it is $31 per foot."
The SRCA currently has 704 removable barriers that weigh 3,700 pounds apiece and
stretch out 7,900 feet to line the track. In order to stay in line with the
NHRA, a very particular timing system needs to be in place.
"Since we are a Lucas Oil Division track, we have to use CompuLink," said Denning. "CompuLink is the timing system used at the national event tracks and we must use that."
The $160,000 loan will be based on a 10-year limit with 0% interest. In 2012,
the city gave the SRCA a $60,000, 0% interest loan to grind the track.
The SRCA Dragstrip reconstruction project is part of the Cost Share Program
through the Kansas Department of Transportation. Along with the resurfacing of
10th Street, KDOT is covering 75% of the construction costs.