[Wichita-SCCA] Speaking of sites

[Rocky Entriken]

Ah, children, the lore of Hutch was mostly before your time.

(Donning Old Fartz hat now)

Official name was Sunflower Aerodrome, a former Naval Air Station. Yes, unfortunately, there is some history with the owner -- enough so that, as I understood it. it finally reached a state where Wichita Region chose to race there no longer. It is probably among reasons Wichita is a part of Ark Valley Race Group and calls Hallett its home track now.

Wichita Region raced there from the early '70s to the '90s. In fact, I won my very first race there, a Showroom Stock race in my daily-driver Pinto in 1972. It was site for some of the Midwest Division combo races where each region supplying workers got a cut of the profit (intended to help out the have-not regions). Not only were Regional and National races run there, but also at least one MiDiv solo divisional, one Solo II National (1978 -- the "long course" was almost a 2-minute run!), and the 1989 Solo I Nationals. 

Several different course configurations were used, but eventually the place became so rough that despite several Wichita Region work parties there it became too much for the region to maintain virtually by themselves. Back when I had limited slip in the Spitfire, I'd snap a rear axle about once a year or so but I could always soldier on with one-wheel drive. A race at Hutch was the only time I ever broke BOTH axles in the same race (not at the same time). 

Considering the past history with the owner, it would be surprising if Wichita Region would want to do business with him again. Too bad, as Hutch was really a nice place to go. Friendly town. Actually, the track was just south of Yoder, a tiny Mennonite community with a great bakery. Menno families going to church in their horse-drawn buggies Sunday morning would smile and wave at us heathens towing race cars the other direction. 

--Rocky Entriken
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Robert 
  To: Webmaster 
  Cc: Wichita Region SCCA. 
  Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2007 9:19 AM
  Subject: Re: [Wichita-SCCA] Speaking of sites


  There was a good article a couple issues ago in the Sportscar that featured Afton, Ponca, and the "Hutch"

  Didn't sound like it was in very good shape. 

  Also, I understand there is some history with the landowner.

  -- 
  Robert Foster / '93 Saturn this week...
  http://motorpride.com/dsp83gti/
  Wichita Region SCCA - http://wichitascca.org/ 

   
  On 5/3/07, Webmaster <webmaster at wichitascca.org> wrote: 
    Speaking of new sites....

    Bill Dayton has just recommended that we check out the Hutchinson Naval
    Air Base.  It's just south of Yoder, and it's an abandoned Air Station.
    It has been used for races in the past, by several different clubs.

    Here is a satellite shot of it...

    http://maps.google.com/maps?daddr=Naval+Air+Base,+Yoder,+KS+%4037.928491,-97.908524&saddr=2443+regency+lakes+ct,+wichita,+ks&f=d&hl=en&sll=37.927308,-97.907367&sspn=0.012322,0.015557&ie=UTF8&ll=37.926901,-97.907066&spn=0.024644,0.031114&t=h&z=15&om=1 

    Anyone know any more about it?  It's only about 40 miles from Wichita,
    straight up K-96.  Any more information/discussion would be helpful.

    --
    Guy Roberts
    Webmaster at wichitascca.org
    #14 - 1994 Polo Green Corvette







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