This is the Event Thread for Hooked on Driving - Midwest - Back on Track - Heartland Motorsports Park - Topeka, KS. Discuss the event below.

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I'll be at this event Saturday and Sunday.

Heartland Park was the first track that I got to drive on at Track Night in America in an old retired IT7 RX-7. I'm excited to go back with my Dark Horse.

I will be there on Saturday. I will have to look for you. Or I'll also be in garage space 26

Rusty

I'll be in the Black Dark Horse Handling Package, in the Advanced group. When I'm not driving I'll probably be parked next to my bus (Prevost with a grey enclosed trailer).

Look forward to hearing everyone's thoughts as I have run Spec Miatas, Vipers, and Mustangs at Heartland Park and it is one of my favorite tracks in the US. Since the track was repaved about a decade ago, hoping the lack of use for many years means the road course is still in decent shape. Give us your assessment, enquiring minds want to know!!

Bill,

Track was in very good shape. I am very happy to report that. The rest of the facilities have seen better days, but that was to be expected. I ran 4 sessions as it was hot and humid in Kansas today. Car ran well, now that I am able to push the car much harder I am having some problems with the rear transaxle overheating so I am looking to install a cooler before Hasting in two weeks.

It was my first time on this track. But after learning the track and getting some good laps in I was able to put down a 1:58 lap time. Once I get the files pulled off the Garmin I will add a video or two.

Rusty

I agree with Rusty's statements. The track was in very good shape overall pavement wise. I thought it got better throughout the day and others felt that way too. Of course I was also knocking the rust off of it and relearning the track, since it's been 3 years and I was last here with a 1st gen RX-7. However there was a good amount of dirt/dust that got taken off as well as some fresh rubber on the pavement, all good things.

The facilities need some more attention, but that was to be expected. A lot of grass needs mowed, the paddock has a lot of grass growing in the cracks that needs weed killer sprayed on it. The PA system isn't working so they had to use a portable system. The plumbing isn't fully working so the bathrooms weren't useable, but they had plenty of portapotties. A lot of buildings need a fresh coat of paint or need the signs replaced, all stuff you'd expect. These things will come back, they just weren't ready today.

Very happy to have this track back. I hope that we'll be able to have more regular events here. I'll be here again tomorrow.

Here you go Bill -

Thanks Rusty and Ted, I really appreciate the comments and especially the video, Rusty. Overall the track appears pretty decent and if you got okay tire wear that would tell us alot because once the track was repaved some years back it was pretty easy on rubber. Looking forward to getting back there and the info you two have provided has got me stoked!!