Kansas City Area Thread

[turbophil]

Originally Posted by MikeRoberts44

Anyone want to meet in KC, caravan over with a stop in Lawrence?

Sure. I'd like to get there a little early so I have some time to get settled. The weather is supposed to be awesome tomorrow

I'll probably leave from my house and grab a bite to eat in Lawrence or the CMG (Chipotle Mexican Grill) at college and 69... It seems to take an hour and 20 mins or so door-to-door without meals. So leave around 1:30 or 2 with a stop for food sound good? We could meet at CMG off College if just us or eat in Lawrence if Dave wants to meet up since he's already half way there from where I live...

Thoughts?

Babak, I hope you're going!

[darkSol]

I'll have to play it by ear since my mother-in-law is at the KC Hospice @ 120th & Wornall right now - and I might have to change plans suddenly when she passes...

I'll "trackify" the car tonight when everyone's asleep just in case I can make it.

[turbophil]

Originally Posted by darkSol

I'll have to play it by ear since my mother-in-law is at the KC Hospice @ 120th & Wornall right now - and I might have to change plans suddenly when she passes...

I'll "trackify" the car tonight when everyone's asleep just in case I can make it.

Sorry to hear that Dave. Not a big deal, we'll touch base with you when we figure something out...

Best,

Phil

[MikeRoberts44]

Originally Posted by darkSol

I'll have to play it by ear since my mother-in-law is at the KC Hospice @ 120th & Wornall right now - and I might have to change plans suddenly when she passes...

I'm sorry to hear that, too. You know that KC Hospice is about 50 yards from my house? If you need anything, or just need to crash for a while, you are welcome and we are very close.

[MikeRoberts44]

Originally Posted by turbophil

Sure. I'd like to get there a little early so I have some time to get settled. The weather is supposed to be awesome tomorrow

I'll probably leave from my house and grab a bite to eat in Lawrence or the CMG (Chipotle Mexican Grill) at college and 69... It seems to take an hour and 20 mins or so door-to-door without meals. So leave around 1:30 or 2 with a stop for food sound good? We could meet at CMG off College if just us or eat in Lawrence if Dave wants to meet up since he's already half way there from where I live...

Thoughts?

Babak, I hope you're going!

Works for me. 2:00 (earlier?) at CMG? Of course I can flex with Dave's needs.

[Drjest]

Southern Route:

2 ways :

35 South to Edgerton, then onto 56 for a straight shot across to 75 through Baldwin, Overbrook. etc. Really straight, really boring, many speed traps.

or

K-10 to Lawrence, take 6th street west to Hwy-40 / 45th street. This is the Road to Stull which has more hills, turns, and used to be the faster route before I-70 became 85mph*.


* Not legally of course, but seems to be the going rate.

[darkSol]

Had a blast last night guys.

Sorry if I was a wee bit distant - lots of things on the mind with my mom-in-law passing away and stuff.

After I get new tires (corded both rears last night) I'll be "bright-eyed-and-bushy-tailed" for the next event.

[turbophil]

Originally Posted by darkSol

Had a blast last night guys.

Sorry if I was a wee bit distant - lots of things on the mind with my mom-in-law passing away and stuff.

After I get new tires (corded both rears last night) I'll be "bright-eyed-and-bushy-tailed" for the next event.

I was happy you were still able to show. You didn't seem distant at all, so don't sweat it. A great time had by all...... except for that poor guy driving the trans=am that smacked the wall. OUCH!

I personally feel like I came a long ways. I feel like I've got a much better feel for 10,11,12. They are tricky...
I also found my limits.Nothing quite like a spin in the top of third to get me all "bright-eyed-and-bushy-tailed" Hopefully that's out of my system now. In hindsight, I'm not sure why I didn't pull out of that since I was under power and on the exit of the turn... Oh well, maybe next time

Mike and I ventured the south route taking 56 through Baldwin ont he way home. A VERY straight and easy drive as mentioned earlier, and probably a better drive than 70. It took about the same amount of time. I may try the alt Lawrence route Drjest mentioned next time... I'm with Mike-- I hate the highway too...

Have a great day!

Best,

Phil

[turbophil]

Has anyone looked into this? I just got off a long phone call with them and I'm interested!

The track looks great and your assured to have access 7 days a week. There's actually two tracks. One of the two tracks can be rented, but they will always keep a track open for member to have open track day. The North track is full of long straights and the south track is slower and technical. There's a 75 foot range in elevation as well. There are zero concrete walls and wide spin-off areas. The entire track is 3.7 miles and can be broken into the two smaller tracks I mentioned earlier...

Yes, it's expensive...sorta... If you get on as a founding member, it's not as bad as the prices suggest since you get an equity position and then never have to pay a fee again. Not to mention it's tax deductable as a business expense.

You can take guests for free and they can bring their own car. You also get free access to the karting track and they will have a fleet of race karts (125cc I think) available for free as well (for founding members and their guests).

www.kcimotorsportspark.com

I've got a bunch of notes that elaborate on the details if your interested... I still have some questions to get ironed out that they couldn't answer on the phone and I'm not 100% sold just yet, but it does look interesting...

Best,

Phil

[MikeRoberts44]

I, too, enjoyed the HPT track experience. I did not get much in the way of pictures, but have attached a few. The first is the three KC area Elises that were there. We missed you Babak! Second is Darksol at speed. Third is TurboPhil taking pictures. I hope he got better pics than I did. Last is me getting ready to go out. I can't believe I missed the best pic of all. Darksol had the cords showing on both rear tires. Hope he made it home!

I liked the US 75 to US 56 to I-35 route better than K-10 through Lawrence and I-70. I think I tried K-10/US 40 a couple of years ago. US 40 was nice and twisty, but some construction and routing made it seem like it took an extra half hour. I wouldn't mind trying it again, though.

[noel_audio]

Dang hectic job. Maybe we should put a phone tree together where everyone calls me so I can keep up
Anyway looks like it was a blast, wish I could have attended but was stuck in Norman Oklahoma looking over the basketball and football venues.
Loving this weather!
We should do something soon (that I will be able to be around for!)
Cheers
Noel

[turbophil]

I know Mike posted, but pics are just so much fun.
We had a great day at the Heartland Park. The temps were in the lower 70's and humidity was very low. Mike , Dave, and I were the only Lotus guys there, as Babak couldn't make it. We missed ya Babak!
This was an important day for me, as I learned that my car DOES have grip limitations. I had been pushing the car hard. Real hard. My car is equipped with 225 RA-1s up front, which lend well to good drivers as they all but eliminate the understeer the Lotus engineers built into the car with the smaller stock front tires (195s). The emphasis here is -good drivers-, which I am not. I was pouring the coals on in 3rd pre apex going into to turn 7, which is an uphill sweeper. I usually lift slightly to the settle the car and drop the speed a touch.I decided to push harder this time around. I didn't lift this time. As I neared the exit of the turn, I realized that I had picked a line too wide for the asphalt I was given. Seeing the edge of the track near, I decided to turn the wheel in a bit more. All but knowing that I was on the threshold of traction. At that moment the rear came loose and here came a 720 degree spin. With both feet in (clutch and brake), I spun straight and stayed on the tarmac. A lucky spin for sure... I'm glad that's out of my system!

Dave also spun his car, but it was likely due to the fact that he wore his A048s down to the cords! At least he had an excuse.
Mike is veteran to the race track. He stayed smooth and consistant the entire time. Way to be Mike!

Here are a few pics...Most of them are of Dave. Mike and I were on the track at the same time, so no pics. Sorry Mike!

Several more at http://boefabrication.com/index.php?...d=30&Itemid=37

Best,

Phil

[darkSol]

OK folks... who am I missing here?

Trying to list it in chronological ownership order...

1/22/2005? - Bobby's (babak) in Topeka, KS (Chrome Orange)
3/2/2005? - Mike's (MikeRoberts44) in KC MO - 119th & State Line (Ardent Red)
? - Scott's (scottmartin) in Blue Springs, MO (Black Exige & Blue Elise)
6/5/2005 - Lisa's (lrichmtg) in Olathe, KS (Arctic Silver)
8/26/2005 - David (darkSol) in Shawnee, KS (Graphite Grey) <- ME
11/30/2005? - Phil's (turbophil) in Overland Park/Stanley, KS (Graphite Gray)
9/30/2006 - Ben's (noel audio) in Shawnee, KS (Starlight Black)
? - Eric's (flyinaroundstl) in KC MO - 44th & Troost (Arctic Silver)
? - Jeremiah's (jlj3394) in KC MO - 77th & Ward Pky (Graphite Gray)

That's 10 cars... (Scott has 2).

I also know of four other owners who USED to have Elises but have since gotten rid of them. Two of these folks were at one time on ET but have not been listed since they're not active anymore.

Can anyone amend this list?

Did I miss anyone? (sorry in advance!)

[def]

Thats one high density area for GG

[jlj3394]

I see a bordeaux red one all the time on Kansas Avenue in front of a laundromat.

[MikeRoberts44]

As I recall, Babak picked his up a week or two before me.

I have seen another Ardent Red car (he passed me in mine on State Line at College) some time ago and have heard of other sitings. Don't know if he is still around.

[flyinaroundstl]

Although I was surprised not to see any of the area Lotus owners at the MG show that was in Overland Park a couple weekends ago.

Oh, and while there, I saw a flyer for the All British Car Show in STL in September, more details available at http://www.stlouismgclub.com/

[darkSol]

Originally Posted by MikeRoberts44

As I recall, Babak picked his up a week or two before me.

Tweaked the list. I remember both of our Lawrence meets - but forgot who got who's first...

[babak]

Yep, all of you who got through registration easy owe me a beer. Took me a bit to convince them to not levy the property tax based on the previous lotus in the database, the esprit!


thread moved to central plains region forum

[darkSol]

Originally Posted by babak

Yep, all of you who got through registration easy owe me a beer.

Consider it done.