Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/375982
September / October 2014 8 Hard to believe that summer is already waning and Labor Day is right around the corner. How did that happen? We have had a number of great summer events this year. I hope that you have been able to enjoy a bunch of them. We will be hard at it in the fall as well with our Shrimp Boil (Sept 20th) at the Hess' and one of Rudy's exciting autocrosses on September 28th, both do not miss events. One event that didn't happened this summer was our scheduled Club Race at Heartland Park Topeka. As a dedicated track rat, it really hurt for me to have to take the decision (with the Board) to cancel this event. I have communicated to you about that decision process which I believe was the only prudent and responsible action for your board to undertake. Heartland Park Topeka is our home track, right in our backyard; we should be running multiple events there each year to enhance the Porsche ownership experience for our members. Over the past several years, issues with the road course and other factors have resulted in the facility being under utilized and it was experiencing declining participation at the events that were being held. Topeka City Manager Jim Colson, recognizing that HPT is a fantastic asset and should be a large lever for economic development for the city began to flesh out a plan to improve HPT early this year. As part of that plan, he solicited direct input from customers of the track to get a clear vision of the issues from the customer's perspective. In early July, Dave Stadtmueller and I plus representatives from the KC BMW Club, Central Division of NASA, and SCCA met with Mr. Colson and his staff for a very frank discussion about HPT. In a follow up meeting, Mr. Colson outlined his plan which includes expanding the STAR bond district for HPT, purchasing the facility (and retiring the current bond debt) and selecting a new owner/ operator to drive progress at the facility. Mr. Colson solicited our support of his plan which has to be approved by a number of local and state agencies and will take about 6-9 months to complete. That support was enthusiastically given by all the groups present. On Tuesday August 12, I made a statement of support at the public hearing in front of the Topeka City Council for the resolution approving Mr. Colson's plan. The KC BMW club also made a statement in support of the plan as well. Last week, I appeared at the Shawnee County Commission meeting, again expressing support of the HPT improvement plan. The KC BMW club also was present to enter a statement into the record at the County Commission meeting. I am pleased to let you know that both the Topeka City Council and the Shawnee County Commission approved the resolutions in front of them, clearing the way for Mr. Colson to advance his plan for state approval. There is a long way to go but this is exciting news for all of us, a revitalized Heartland Park Topeka will mean a great deal to our club and that is good for everyone. One additional note; after the BMW representative and I had made our statements at the County Commissioner meeting, the County Attorney asked to speak. After being recognized by the chair he said "Mr. Chairman I would like to note for the record that this may be the first time in recorded history that a Porsche guy and a BMW guy ever agreed on anything!!. - bOb PRESIDENT'S COLUMN By Bob Wayman Summer Is But Gone.. LOTS STILL TO DO!