Awesome event in Lockhart, Tx - Lonestar Grand Prix

Robby Mott · Advertiser Joined: 20 Aug 2001 Posts: 308

Just want to say that this was a pretty awesome event!! Rob Miller and crew did an outstanding job putting this event together. Most understand how much work goes into a street race especially..........and from what I saw, the event went off great.

The feeling walking around the town was excitement and anticipation from the store and restaurant owners.........welcoming the racers with open arms. It looked like the the city got behind the event and did a lot to help make this happen.

Most folks in this area had no idea what karting is all about. This was a good display of a professional karting event with great racing and I think the town is excited to see it again next year.

Although I was not racing the event myself...........I heard nothing but good things about the track and the layout.

The smell of barbeque and 2 stroke oil in the morning...........a beautiful thing Smile

What did you drivers think about the track and the event?

Robby Mott
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Tyson Henry · Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 11:18 am Post subject:

Track was AWESOME. Really great layout with a good mix of elements. The streets were bumpy but totally tolerable. The bumps also really add to the intensity level.

Curious as to what top speed others were seeing on the straight. On facebook they showed a picture of a cop with a radar gun and the caption said the fastest they saw was 84. I know I was over that as right before the big bump on the straight multiple laps I was at 85-88. Hard to really tell after that because the bumps caused the rear tires to lift and obviously skew the mph reading.

Wonder what the S1 guys were hitting. Anyone have GPS speed readings?

Brad Johnson · Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 11:28 am Post subject:

It was an awesome event. Went off almost on schedule, little bit behind but should have been expected. Track was cool, a couple big bumps but it's a street circuit. If we go back maybe they can clean those two up just enough to elimiate the "air time". Nothing like Fair Park though. The city is an awesome old Texas town, the police that were working the traffic were always nice, I tried to thank each different one I saw.

It was cool to see so many specators and young kids out. Except for the one lady sceaming at a driver who got into the bales (which took me out) and wrecked. That was a bit weird.

Can't wait to go back.

Bill Choice · Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 12:55 pm Post subject:

We had a great time and will definitely come back next year! Rob, his crew, and Lockhart did a fantastic job and for a first run in a new town it was impressive. There were of course some lessons learned, but Rob and Lockhart will work together to make it even better next year.

I spent a lot of time talking to locals and they were all very impressed with the event and even more with us! Many people had no clue what to expect and couldn't believe how fast we were running around their city streets. I believe for the most part, all of the vendors and business owners were on board and enjoyed having us there. I spoke to a very nice city council member who is already looking forward to next year! Will and I had our own fans after spending some time with a few of locals and they went out of their way to check in on us during the event. The hospitality was incredible, I'm proud to say, and typical for small Texas town!

I'm also proud of our Karting community! From what I saw, we were all very gracious guests and by the looks of the busy shops and lines at restaurants, we helped out the local economy.

Great job to all and we will see you next year!

Choice Family

Rick Renaud · Joined: 18 Oct 2011 Posts: 5

Get a grinder on the bumps for next year and the track will be even better.
Talked to many locals and they all were excited about the event.

Patrick Roth · Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2013 11:15 am Post subject:

It was a fantastic event and I attribute most of it to the city of Lockhart due to its charm and the excitement generated by its residents! It was awesome to race in front of a crowd that big. I really enjoyed the autograph session where there was even more direct interaction between the drivers and the spectators. I can't say enough good things about Lockhart and what they did for this event!

Rob and the organizers did a fantastic job setting up the event! I would've liked more seat time but in reality it had virtually nothing to do with the organizers, rather it was the karters that kept wrecking and shortening the schedule. I don't know how you could improve this but I'm sure it will be part of the discussion for next year.

The track was a blast as the change in pavement added an extra challenge in going from high grip to low grip to off-camber to bumps and all sorts of stuff. It would be great to grind down the big bump on the straightaway but at the same time it encouraged us to funnel before turn one.

I have plenty of stories from the event including some great racing, battling clutch problems, taking friendly abuse from my crew cheif, watching the challenge of recovering from a wreck, meeting the people of Lockhart, enjoying the BBQ, trying to find a friend who was camoflauged by the hay bail he hit, and my personal favorite, as I watched a friend lay on the ground in pain from a wreck that mangled the front end of his kart, he smiles and says "I'll be hitting you up for a tie rod later on"... (he's fine)

Great event and great experience that I would recommend to every karter!

Anthony Honeywell · Joined: 09 Jul 2008 Posts: 79

Just wanted to say thanks to Rob Miller, Rick Fulks, Jim McMillen, the numerous others, & the town of Lockhart, TX for putting this race on!

There were spectators lining the fence on both sides all the way around the course. Seemed like the entire town and several other communities all came out in full force for this event. All for a go kart race!!! Very cool!

The track layout was a lot of fun, cant wait to go back next year.
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Anthony H.

Honeywell Competition
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Lyle Clark · Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2013 3:35 pm Post subject:

Being stuck in the scoring tent, usually I only get to see a small part of what is going on. This time I was able to watch the computer as the KRN crew was in the tent with me. The one camera in the last corner at kart level was my favorite.
Working the event, I can't give enough praise for the city and city crews. If we needed something, they were on it. Thanks to them and to Rob's crew.

By the way, if you haven't seen Rob "Howdy" Howden in a cowboy hat, you really should.

Lyle
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David Pergande · Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2013 5:26 pm Post subject:

I wasn't able to race, but was there to tune. My opinion, it was a great event & great people. The last turn through half way down the main straight was 4-5 rows deep with people on average through the day. I will be there next year and just like any other barrier/street race, have to keep it straight! Great job to Rob Miller for promoting this event. Great for promoting karting as well! Autograph session was a hit.

PS...cool sound of the weekend, lap leaders coming into the hairpin...sounded like a tunnel roaring at a F1 street race....ok, not exactly, but still pretty cool!
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Rob Miller · Joined: 14 Oct 2011 Posts: 178

Thanks everyone. The team worked really hard to make it work.
We certainly learned some things and will incorporate them into our planning if Lockhart is up for another karting invasion in 2014.

We really appreciate everything the racers and sponsors did to help us make this a great event.

We have heard of two spectators so far who are buying karts.

It is truly amazing to see what happens when karters work together.[/u]

Mark French · Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 8:59 am Post subject:

I totally ECHO everyone. This was by far one of the coolest kart races our family has been to. The AWESOME BBQ to everyone in the town we were treated like celebrities. Everywhere you went people were talking about karting and where could they learn more about it. One of the coolest things was Jake’s victory lap and hearing the crowd yell and scream all the way around the circuit. Jake said he could hear them yelling too…

Rob Miller, to have the obstacles of a new place, street course, multiple classes and lots of racers I thought you and your team handled it very well!

Let’s not forget the debut of the Become One movie!!! John you captured our sport perfectly and this movie will help everyone understand what makes karting one of the best forms of racing in the world.

Thanks to my beautilful wife, DRT Racing, Pole Position Racing and Brian Fisher Racing Engines for making it even more special for us.

Here is a on-board video with Jake winning the Stock Honda Light class.

http://youtu.be/_Fk99QzXneU

The French Family

Lyle Clark · Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2013 10:28 am Post subject:

For those that couldn't find it.

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Rob Howden · Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2013 10:25 pm Post subject:

Mouth full of ice cream and I still make that hat look good.

Lyle, I would warn you not to mess with a guy who owns a server, know how to use Photoshop and a website with 20,000 viewers. Wink

I'm sure I could do wonders with a simple headshot of you. LOL Wink

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Lyle Clark · Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2013 6:55 am Post subject:

Just couldn't pass up a shot of a wonderful guy wanting to be a Texan for a weekend. Laughing

LC
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Lyle Clark
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877.604.7381
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Check out TattleTale
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Dennis Tapp · Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2013 8:54 am Post subject:

Were results from this event posted anywhere?