An Interview with Drifter Rolando Alfaro: The Kansas City Kid

Kinja'd!!! "Andrew Fails" (fails)
02/18/2016 at 07:46 • Filed to: Drifting, Grassroots, KC, Kansas City, Midwest, D1, Nissan, 240

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As I often like to complain about, Missouri is basically devoid of racetracks. I know this seems bizarre to our Californian friends, but there is only one quarter-mile drag strip in the entire state, and not a single road course. That is obviously why I’m not a world renowned racecar driver. Of course that’s the reason. It couldn’t be my laughably inadequate mechanical ability, poor skill behind the wheel, or my utter lack of motivation.

Thankfully, there are those who have a wee bit more ambition than I do, like Rolando Alfaro. Like me, Alfaro is from Kansas City, but he’s definitely set his sights beyond our city. He’s a drifter who regularly competes in ProAm events all across America. While he now competes on the track, he got his start on the street. Now, this is a touchy subject to discuss. We all know that the track is a far safer environment to test your limits. No telephone poles, no innocent bystanders, no police. But nobody starts on the track, unless you’re a Formula 1 test tube baby. You start by realizing you enjoy driving quickly on the street, and when that becomes dangerous, you hopefully transition to a safer location.

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Alfaro agrees with me on that, and acknowledged that, while street drifting is certainly exciting, and requires commitment, it is a poor substitute for the track. He resolutely believes that one track event will teach more than ten nights of tearing up the parking lot of a Sam’s Club. That seems to be the prevailing attitude of most serious drivers. The street offers high stakes, and unexpected challenges, but you will never truly perfect your skillset when you are worried about consequences. For that, you need prepped surfaces, proper run-offs, and expert tutelage.

But with the nearest track being in another state, lot of people don’t want to run the risk of breaking down out there, and being stranded. Alfaro believes that this is causing the drift scene in Kansas City to be far behind that of other comparable cities. Because of this lack of venues, most in the area view drifting as a fun habit, at most, maybe a hobby. But nobody seems to take it as seriously as Alfaro. He told me that he is the first guy out of KC to build a serious competition car, the first to travel hundreds of hours for full ProAm event series, and the first to get their FD Pro2 license.

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Even while the scene itself is in its infancy, Alfaro believes that Kansas City is prime to really take off. The enthusiast base is certainly here. Every month, hundreds of performance cars descend on our local Cars and Coffee meets hosted by !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . We’re also chock full of companies like !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . We have the fans, the companies, and Kansas City itself has been ranked as one of the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! so there is even money here. So why no slidey slidey?

Simple, we need a figurehead to show us the way. Every new scene needs an ambassador. The Beatles paved the way for British musicians in America, Christopher Nolan paved the way for Zack Snyder, and Alfaro is paving the way for Kansas City drifters. You know a man is serious about cars when his daily driver is an E46 M3 on coilovers. That’s the daily. His last drift car was the most classic choice, a Nissan 240SX.

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While Alfaro admits that the 240 had seen every terrible trend and fad, it became a very serious bit of kit. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , but I’ll try to hit the highlights. LS7, T56, coilovers, hydraulic handbrake. If that alone doesn’t rustle your jimmies, you might be on the wrong site. From the streets of Kansas City, to the skidpad of Heartland Park, to competing at Gateway Motorsports Park, the humble Nissan had seen it all. Sadly, it has since been sold. But he has a new project: another Nissan. This time a 350Z. So if that 240 was the first attempt, the Z will surely be quite a thing to behold.

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Confidence is high in the Alfaro camp, and that confidence is a key part of his success. The man has zero fear on the track, whether he’s running the slowest car on the field, or the fastest. But it’s not all the reckless confidence of youth. Does it make me sound old if I chastise the younguns? What if I use the word “younguns” in a sentence? Either way, Alfaro certainly knows his strengths, but he also knows that his inexperience can hurt him if his luck changes. While his driving is top tier, he’s comfortable telling me that he does not have the team to do large scale repairs under time constraints at the track. Luckily, the cars have been exceptionally reliable so far. Build it right, and it won’t break.

The eventual goal is to continue to grow enough to compete in Formula Drift, but the current goal is much simpler: “keep drifting fun”. There’s something honest there. Too often we get bogged down in profit margins, point standings, and reputations. But at the end of the day, if you aren’t having fun, what’s the point? Alfaro got into the scene in the beginning because he watched the Drift Bible DVD back in the day, and thought it looked like fun. That idea of playfulness, mixed with the camaraderie of building ridiculous things with your friends is what continues to drive him to this day.

So keep your eyes open for the cloud of smoke coming from the Midwest, he’s not done yet.

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Photos courtesy of Travis Carroll at !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Video courtesy of David Mullis at !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Fails is a freelance photographer who sometimes pretends to be literate. You can follow him on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! or see his portfolio !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . He is talking in third person because it makes him feel mysterious.


DISCUSSION (89)


Kinja'd!!! they-will-know-my-velocity > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 09:01

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Consider my jimmies rustled.

And I consider myself lucky that not only does Formula Drift visit Texas regularly, we have a wonderful Lonestar Drift series that has events all over the state.


Kinja'd!!! mattwoodski > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 09:06

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Plenty of dirt tracks to hone driving skills on in MO.

http://www.racingin.com/track/missouri…


Kinja'd!!! Jdrentarol > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 09:11

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Kansas City! Finally, my hometown gets some Oppo respect.


Kinja'd!!! Andrew Fails > Jdrentarol
02/18/2016 at 09:15

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I'm in KC, and always trying to show it some love.


Kinja'd!!! Jdrentarol > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 09:17

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I feel KC is an understated city. I mean, we have the World’s Tallest Water Slide, and many McLarens.


Kinja'd!!! LodestarRunner > they-will-know-my-velocity
02/18/2016 at 09:21

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And TXSL! Even if they did let a ProAm car walk away with it last year.


Kinja'd!!! KmartSmart > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 09:27

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Maryland is the same way... we have some drag strips but that is about it. I wish I was able to find the time to travel to the bordering states to visit their road tracks but it seems that the Baltimore DC area is void of fun... there aren’t even fun roads here.


Kinja'd!!! Gray Irwin > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 09:45

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Im a young car guy in Kansas City, and it is really cool to see stuff like this coming out of here. We really do have a fantastic car culture, but no safe ways to race. The track is too far away to comfortably drive your car there to race when it might break. I used to be heavily against any type of street racing at all, but now that I am in the position of wanting to race and not being able to, I get it. I wont participate, but I get it.


Kinja'd!!! jayhawkracer > Jdrentarol
02/18/2016 at 09:48

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Kansas City checking in!

I’d like to give Missouri a little credit. They do have the 100 Acre Wood Rally.


Kinja'd!!! Andrew Fails > Gray Irwin
02/18/2016 at 09:48

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I hear you. I'm looking at driving multiple hours to a track this year for some seat time.


Kinja'd!!! MoparMap > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 09:49

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Being from around the KC region myself I can agree with the lack of any kind of motorsport tracks. Heartland Park is a pretty nice setup with multiple different types of racing venues (road course, drag strip, dirt track, etc.), but has fallen into disrepair and has changed owners more times recently than I can remember. The nearest road courses for me are upwards of 3-5 hours away, and that just doesn’t work for a track day when 10 hours is burned just traveling there and back. We used to have KCIR for another drag strip, but it was recently closed as well. You’d think there would be more in the middle of the country, but people seem to like dirt more than asphalt around here (true with karting as well I’ve found).


Kinja'd!!! Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 09:50

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Awesome to see some KC love on the front page! Cars and Coffee here has been a phenomenon. We must’ve had 400 cars last month, and just a year ago we were lucky to see 20. FCTC has done an incredible job.


Kinja'd!!! DreiPorscheguy > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 09:50

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I lived in KC for (too) many years; move somewhere else and your life will improve. I seriously doubt the bible thumping, bbq stuffing Chiefs fans are going to embrace the drift scene. That KCIR closed and nothing has replaced it should tell you something and drag racing is much more mainstream than drift will ever be. Not that you shouldn’t hope or try but honestly, if you are serious, you should move.


Kinja'd!!! Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > Jdrentarol
02/18/2016 at 09:50

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And the world’s best BBQ.


Kinja'd!!! Gray Irwin > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 09:51

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What track? Once my car is a little more reliable I may have to try it.


Kinja'd!!! Gray Irwin > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
02/18/2016 at 09:52

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It was a fantastic show last month, I cant wait to see how it gets in the summer months


Kinja'd!!! Jdrentarol > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
02/18/2016 at 09:52

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Ohhh yea baby


Kinja'd!!! Andrew Fails > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
02/18/2016 at 09:53

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Yep, Steven at FCTC is a networking machine.


Kinja'd!!! Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > Gray Irwin
02/18/2016 at 09:54

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The road course at the Speedway isn’t bad, from what I’ve seen/photograhed, but you need to hook up with NASA or someone if you want to drive it.

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Kinja'd!!! Andrew Fails > Gray Irwin
02/18/2016 at 09:56

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Mid America Motorplex in Iowa.


Kinja'd!!! Gray Irwin > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
02/18/2016 at 09:57

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It is a cool track, I got to see one of the NASA events this summer. Hopefully we can get some track days opened up there


Kinja'd!!! PARTS+ACCESSORIES > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 09:59

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Kansas City for the win!


Kinja'd!!! Gray Irwin > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 10:03

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Thats not that bad of a drive. Even if I dont race, it may be worth driving up there to spectate.


Kinja'd!!! davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 10:04

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Congrats on the front page! Well deserved.


Kinja'd!!! Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > Gray Irwin
02/18/2016 at 10:05

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Seriously. I think we’re eventually going to end up at Arrowhead if we keep growing this fast.


Kinja'd!!! Gray Irwin > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
02/18/2016 at 10:07

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Its really crazy how fast its grown since the first few at the museum. Hopefully when the museum moves they will get a very large lot so they can host again.


Kinja'd!!! Thisnewformatisrubbish > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 10:09

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KC love.


Kinja'd!!! Thisnewformatisrubbish > Gray Irwin
02/18/2016 at 10:10

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Still pissed at the kemper family for closing down kcir.


Kinja'd!!! Andrew Pickle > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
02/18/2016 at 10:17

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Where is cars and coffee usually at? I’m still sad KC Trends is done with Fast Fridays.


Kinja'd!!! Andrew Pickle > DreiPorscheguy
02/18/2016 at 10:18

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Bye Felcia! We haven’t missed you.


Kinja'd!!! Gray Irwin > Thisnewformatisrubbish
02/18/2016 at 10:19

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I think everyone is


Kinja'd!!! Scaggnetti > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 10:20

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So happy to see KC getting some love. KCK resident here. We def have a scene and cars and coffee has been getting larger and larger. If somebody with some cash could build a track in the metro, they would make money hand over fist.


Kinja'd!!! Andrew Fails > Scaggnetti
02/18/2016 at 10:23

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If you or any of your friends with interesting cars want to get featured, hit me up.


Kinja'd!!! Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > Andrew Pickle
02/18/2016 at 10:30

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Rosana Square shopping center, OP.

https://www.facebook.com/KansasCityCars…

And yeah, it was sad about Fast Fridays. Just too many snooty neighbors complaining.


Kinja'd!!! ABoogiemonster > Scaggnetti
02/18/2016 at 10:49

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What if KC and STL united and built a track between the two cities? We could pick drivers as tribute and start the driver games. To remind us of the days when disorder reigned.


Kinja'd!!! turbo_corolla > Scaggnetti
02/18/2016 at 10:59

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There was a strip for a long damn time, but then some snobby bitches moved right next to it and complained about the noise. It closed the year before I was able to compete in the high school drag races.


Kinja'd!!! turbo_corolla > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 11:01

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You say Sam’s club, I say either the target in Bolton or one of the closed schools.


Kinja'd!!! mr2gud2u > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 11:16

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I love how much press this city has received over the past 2 years. The Royals have given this town new life and sort of a new start . This town is no longer just a fly over city. Andrew, you should come to our KC oppo get togethers some time. Do you make it out to C and C much?


Kinja'd!!! OrphanCarsR-Us > MoparMap
02/18/2016 at 11:16

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It’s all pretty darn sad really. Kansas is dotted with a lot of tiny little drag race tracks and various dirt circle tracks (world of outlaw quality, etc). There is a fairly active SCCA scene as well. Heck, the site of the first NHRA nationals was out in Great Bend. NHRA wanted to fund and build a much larger track in Great Bend but the locals (oil money) wouldn’t hear of it at the time. Instead the region eventually got the Heartland Park facility. That track was a very good track and boasted of a couple NHRA events a year plus numerous local SCCA events and the SCCA Runoffs. When the Runoffs moved up to Omaha it was a sign. The track owners were facing lean times (like so many of us) and just didn’t want to put any money into the facility. Plus as has been rumored they didn’t value the other race events at the facility beyond drag racing. Its become a political nightmare with several entities vying to purchase the track but needing either more time and/or money while the city of Topeka juggles the use of tax bonds or outright purchasing the facility. If the local paper would have you believe, the track is the biggest boondoggle the city has ever had and the vast majority of people in the area are against it. The whole issue receives barely any mention on media other then the biased newspaper. Its a complete mess but somehow there will be racing this season even though the future remains unknown.


Kinja'd!!! allpurposeben > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 11:17

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I’ve love to see racing through Swope Park and the park stretch of Gregory between Cleveland Ave and 435, I wont buy a car until I’ve taken it on a spirited jaunt through there.


Kinja'd!!! allpurposeben > Gray Irwin
02/18/2016 at 11:20

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We used to have pretty good and regular AutoCross at Arrowhead but the local SCCA chapter right and royally fucked that up a while ago (and head office didn’t care enough about their backyard to do anything about).

There’s some small racing at the PDC in Independence, and decent karting if you’re into that too.


Kinja'd!!! Andrew Fails > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 11:22

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I try to make it to C&C when I can, but I don't make it to many events.


Kinja'd!!! Andrew Fails > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 11:23

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I've always said I want to see a grand prix run in between Union Station and Liberty Memorial. The fountain there makes a great chicane.


Kinja'd!!! allpurposeben > ABoogiemonster
02/18/2016 at 11:26

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We used to have I70, but that was more for the circle track crowd.


Kinja'd!!! MoparMap > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 11:33

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Yeah, I’m glad to see NHRA is at least sticking around for now (hopefully). My family and I have made it a tradition to go to Friday night qualifying for the past probably 10 years or so. I get one new top fuel piece every year and have joked I’m slowly building an engine one piece at a time. Actually got a block and cylinder head last time because I’d never seen one for sale before and thought it might be the last time they’d race in Topeka.

I swear if people complain it is too loud though (like KCIR), I will go on a rampage. It is directly next to a freaking AIRPORT. I only made it out to KCIR one or two times, but when people move in next to a race track and then complain about the noise, they should be publicly shamed for being idiots. The track was there first, you should have known.


Kinja'd!!! Thisnewformatisrubbish > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 11:39

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I wonder what it would take to get I70 speedway rebuilt for gokart, supermoto and road racing.


Kinja'd!!! Andrew Pickle > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 11:44

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Awesome, thanks for the link! See ya’ll out there next time!


Kinja'd!!! Thisnewformatisrubbish > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 11:45

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None of the cocksuckers who are responsible even live there anymore.

They literally did it so they could sell at a higher price.


Kinja'd!!! Wander > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 11:46

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I work just across the street on Grand. From my view Pershing to Kessler would make an amazing track.


Kinja'd!!! DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
02/18/2016 at 11:47

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As another KC Opponaut, who moved up here from the south, I agree. Completely.


Kinja'd!!! DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 11:56

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I’m loving the KC love. Seriously, I moved up here from Nashville, and there’s just no comparing the car scene, or the BBQ. Kansas City wins, hands down.


Kinja'd!!! William Byrd > KmartSmart
02/18/2016 at 12:01

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What part are you in? There are a bunch of autocross events, but yeah to get to some open track action you’ve easily got to drive a couple of hours.

Pretty good car scene in the DC area though, the site this was posted on originally is “based” out of there. Full disclosure, I manage it, so I’m biased. :)


Kinja'd!!! Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 12:04

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You’re not the only one.


Kinja'd!!! Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > Wander
02/18/2016 at 12:04

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https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set…


Kinja'd!!! Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > allpurposeben
02/18/2016 at 12:09

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My favorite is Blue River Road between Red Bridge and Blue Ridge.


Kinja'd!!! TheGreatGouki > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 12:09

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I spent many summer nights “drifting” on gravel roads here in Missouri. Often, it wouldn’t end well. Especially for my street tires... We really need some good (non-dirt oval) tracks out here. Like, a LEGIT course. That’d be nice. I live on 40 acres. I have a feeling that’s not enough space for a good track though.


Kinja'd!!! Jay Lauer > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 13:17

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You’re in KC? How have I not met you yet?


Kinja'd!!! dagibby > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
02/18/2016 at 13:35

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Came to post this- the Folly was hella fun.


Kinja'd!!! Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > dagibby
02/18/2016 at 13:40

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Guh. You were there? I was two states away and a few months from birth for the last one. I’d love to see it return.


Kinja'd!!! dagibby > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
02/18/2016 at 13:44

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Both years, the blue Cobra 289 was owned/driven by a friend of my dad’s. He was also one of the organizers, so yeah- laminated pit pass. The 300sl was owned by a friend of mine’s stepfather, that’s her in the photo.


Kinja'd!!! Andrew Fails > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 13:50

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Haha, yep, I'm in KC. Don't make it to many meets/shows though.


Kinja'd!!! Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > dagibby
02/18/2016 at 15:15

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That’s so awesome! It would probably be a hard sell to the city, since the Speedway is right there, but it would be really cool to work with SVRA and HVR to get it going again. Charge for entry like Rockfest, but not much. Raise some serious bucks for some cause or another.


Kinja'd!!! Andrew Fails > Jay Lauer
02/18/2016 at 15:39

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Haha, yep, I’m in KC. Don’t make it to many meets/shows though.


Kinja'd!!! Jay Lauer > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 15:53

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Gotcha. Well maybe we’ll see you around.


Kinja'd!!! Spit Grtzr > Andrew Fails
02/18/2016 at 15:54

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you must have missed the vintage races they had around that area some time back (20 years?)


Kinja'd!!! AM3R shamefully returns > KmartSmart
02/18/2016 at 15:59

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Lots of fun roads out in the suburbs in Northern VA :)


Kinja'd!!! Andrew Fails > Spit Grtzr
02/18/2016 at 16:27

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I don't remember that. Must have been before I was into cars.


Kinja'd!!! Scaggnetti > turbo_corolla
02/18/2016 at 20:04

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Poor Heartland Park... I got to do 2 years of high school drags before it closed. Sucks. That place is just sitting out there rotting.


Kinja'd!!! turbo_corolla > Scaggnetti
02/18/2016 at 20:17

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Pretty much, yeah. It was supposed to be turned into a park, but of course, that won’t happen any time soon. Or ever.


Kinja'd!!! KmartSmart > William Byrd
02/19/2016 at 09:18

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Where are the Autocross events. Im from Baltimore county but I'd more then willing to drive to the DC area for some fun!!! I'm just sick of not having anywhere to really hammer my car lol


Kinja'd!!! KmartSmart > AM3R shamefully returns
02/19/2016 at 09:19

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Yea I have heard about Northern VA but I'm always nervous in VA due to the crazy strict speeding rules there.


Kinja'd!!! AM3R shamefully returns > KmartSmart
02/19/2016 at 09:22

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The roads I usually frequent never have me going higher than ~60ish, Lots of turns. Yeah the speeding thing sucks here in VA but I've managed to not get a ticket so far. All depends on how well you know the area I guess.


Kinja'd!!! KmartSmart > AM3R shamefully returns
02/19/2016 at 09:40

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What roads do you frequent... I might take my bike or car down there when I have time and check them out. Is there anyway you might be able to link a google map or something?


Kinja'd!!! dagibby > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
02/19/2016 at 09:52

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The WWI museum and Union Station can always use the dough. Insurance is the issue, and why it only happened twice. Imagine the chicane around the fountain and expanding the track because we have permanent pedestrian crossings now. Get the Halls on board and run it down Grand. Make Main a paddock/pits and Concourse. Gatsby party at Union Station that night. Dude, let’s do this!


Kinja'd!!! Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > dagibby
02/19/2016 at 09:56

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Perfect. It would probably be easier to insure with lower speed cars. Maybe a kart track?


Kinja'd!!! dagibby > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
02/19/2016 at 10:03

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No- vintage iron, they’re inherently more cautious (also cooler). And getting the city on board for a go cart race is a non-starter. Just make the track slower: curves.


Kinja'd!!! dagibby > dagibby
02/19/2016 at 10:06

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Shit- you’ve got the streets closed, do a celebrity go-cart race. I’ve got some friends heavily involved in Big Slick... and I’m a scheming MF. Should we start making t-shirts?


Kinja'd!!! Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > dagibby
02/19/2016 at 10:15

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Yeah, adding some chicanes would help. The noise would be a hard sell. Vintage muscle cars are some of the loudest I’ve ever heard on track.


Kinja'd!!! William Byrd > KmartSmart
02/19/2016 at 10:29

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Mostly Frederick and Waldorf. I’ve run at both locations and they are both solid (both minor league ball parks I think). SCCA may still does events at FedEx Field as well.

http://www.capitaldrivingclub.com/schedule.php


Kinja'd!!! dagibby > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
02/19/2016 at 10:32

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Nobody minds the Blue Angels...


Kinja'd!!! Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > dagibby
02/19/2016 at 10:37

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Actually, I head several snooty people complaining about the noise while they were practicing last year.

Man, that air show was a total catastrophe.


Kinja'd!!! dagibby > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
02/19/2016 at 10:40

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Catastrophe, how so? Besides no fat Albert RATO- i thought it went off fine.


Kinja'd!!! Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > dagibby
02/19/2016 at 10:52

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I was there for hours and hours, and I think I only saw three acts, including the Blue Angels. There was one water fountain for 20,000 people. Transportation was a trainwreck. Some terrible excuse for a country artist was mewling the whole time. Just a really long, expensive day with very little reward. I got the distinct impression that the organizers had no idea what they were doing, and that they expected a tenth of the crowd.

The Angels themselves were great, but we had to start walking back to the buses halfway through the show to make sure we got a seat before the mad rush when they were done. We were right. People packed in behind us. I didn’t even get a seat and got separated from my group. I had to walk across the bridge and call for a ride once I got to the River Market.

Just a disaster on every level. But I heard Sunday was better.


Kinja'd!!! dagibby > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
02/19/2016 at 11:09

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Oh- you actually went. Next time I suggest picnic at waterworks park or the Lewis and Clark statue. some guys even put boats on the MO.


Kinja'd!!! Sportsfan927 > Andrew Fails
02/19/2016 at 13:42

Kinja'd!!!1

Having been a racer myself for the past 15 years, and living in the Kansas City-area for almost 10 years now, I would love to see a purpose-built road course facility much closer to the city. Unfortunately, I don’t know if the city itself if big enough to support a country club-style race track. The reopening of Heartland Park Topeka is a huge boost to the local car scene. I would recommend that everyone that is part of the car community in KC ‘like’ the track on Facebook. Then, be sure to tell your friends to do the same. The next step is to let the management know you and your friends are interested in the creation of a track day program. Showing there is demand for such a program is the best way to make it happen and show the facility management folks that improving the road course is worth the time and money. Having been lucky enough to work full-time in the racing industry, building a new facility is a huge investment from a money, time and political perspective. Supporting the current facilities, like Mid-America Motorplex and Heartland Park, is the best way to show the true strength of the motor racing culture in KC.


Kinja'd!!! welcome_to_level_3 > Jay Lauer
02/24/2016 at 16:43

Kinja'd!!!0

also in Kansas City. loved this.


Kinja'd!!! OrphanCarsR-Us > Andrew Fails
04/13/2016 at 20:01

Kinja'd!!!1

Hey thanks for reminding me that I posted a little comment on Heartland Park in February Andrew! A little update on the situation. It would seem that despite the newspaper and the local track haters that a regional group has indeed acquired the park. They have been extremely active in terms of communication with race fans and with renovations. The park is gaining large sponsors once again and a season slate of drag racing events has been scheduled. Further the ownership has announced they are currently working on plans to refurb the road race course for future events. I’m hoping they are a major success and will continue not only with the NHRA tradition but will attract NASA and/or SCCA events as well.


Kinja'd!!! Andrew Fails > OrphanCarsR-Us
04/13/2016 at 22:32

Kinja'd!!!1

I just saw that other comment, my apologies for not getting it earlier. I did indeed see that HPT is doing some drag racing, but it’s good to hear that they are refinishing the road course as well. I’d love to try out a track day, without driving 3+ hours.


Kinja'd!!! OrphanCarsR-Us > Andrew Fails
04/13/2016 at 23:57

Kinja'd!!!0

That’s more then cool. I’m just happy when I have posts noticed. I was going to try to make the NHRA Nationals next month over at the track but unfortunately they scheduled the event on a weekend where I have a prior engagement. Same here, if I get either the Etta or the Merkur ready I’ll give the road course a try too.