THE REVIVAL TIMES

Toly Arutunoff raced at Lake Garnett in 1959 with a ’57 Porsche Carrera Speedster GS listed at 100 HP.  I had a fun interview with Toly.  He said his Speedster was fun, nimble and had good brakes.  Toly remembered staying at someone’s house in Garnett.  He remembered the course as having a narrow bridge, a dip but no chicane back then.  Toly said people took the train from Tulsa to come to Lake Garnett.  Toly remembered KC’s Tom Newcomer as a friend, Bob Aylward from Wichita who was later murdered, KC’s Harvey “Woody” Woodward who put his car into the...

This red metal-on-wood plaque is a unique piece of Lake Garnett racing history. Featuring a detailed map of the lake with labeled corner names, it reflects the layout of the course that hosted multiple forms of motorsport during the 1960s. The plaque notes that the event was “Sanctioned by I.K.F.,” most likely referring to the International Kart Federation, a national karting sanctioning body established in the late 1950s. Kart racing events were held at Lake Garnett during the same era as the original Grand Prix road races, though they were separate competitions with their own organizers and sanctioning structure. While...

Larry Stipe is the son of Hal and Mary Stipe, two of the early organizers who helped bring the Lake Garnett Grand Prix to life in 1959. Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, with his younger sister Susie, Larry grew up surrounded by sports cars, SCCA racing, and the beginnings of what would become one of Garnett’s most memorable chapters. He is now 78 years old, and this is his story.  “I became interested in sports cars at the age of 5 as a result of my parents’ involvement with the Sports Car Club of America and Lake Garnett...

by Jason Pendleton View Original Document Freedom, freedom, freedom” chanted the swelling crowd of young people that had converged on the courthouse square to voice its anger over the arrests of its peers by local police. Late into the night of July 6, 1963, the local police and sheriff’s authorities stood face to face with an angry mob of more than two thousand. Acutely aware that the situation was moving beyond their ability to control, the local authorities sought assistance from the state police and the governor. Highway patrolman and other law enforcement authorities from as far away as the state capital raced...

This newspaper article, written by Dane Hicks and published in The Anderson County Review, highlights the return of the Lake Garnett Grand Prix through the modern-day revival event. The piece captures the excitement surrounding the renewed celebration of Garnett’s racing heritage, connecting today’s community with the historic road races that once drew national attention. Coverage like this reflects the continued local pride and growing interest in honoring the legacy of the original Grand Prix. We appreciate the thoughtful reporting and support in helping share the story of the Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival.

Congratulations to Susan and Don Wettstein and Kim Wittman & Family as the 2022 recipients of the Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival Spirit of the Event Award. This award honors those who generously give their time, energy, and support to help make the revival event a success. Whether through preserving history, volunteering, or strengthening community involvement, their contributions play an important role in keeping the Lake Garnett Grand Prix tradition alive. We are grateful for their continued dedication to the event and the Garnett community.

This scanned program from the original 1959 Lake Garnett Grand Prix offers a detailed look at the event as it was presented to spectators more than six decades ago. Spanning approximately 28 pages, the program provides insight into the race schedule, participating drivers, sponsors, and the atmosphere surrounding one of the early years of the Grand Prix. It captures not only the competition itself, but the community support and organization that made the event possible. We are grateful to Susan Wettstein for preserving and sharing this remarkable piece of Lake Garnett Grand Prix history.

Congratulations to Bo Harris, Stacy Smith, Scott Ward, and Matt Harris as the 2024 recipients of the Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival Spirit of the Event Award. Each year, this award recognizes individuals whose dedication, energy, and behind-the-scenes efforts help make the revival event possible. From planning and organizing to supporting drivers and engaging the community, their contributions strengthen the experience for everyone involved. The Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival continues to grow because of people willing to invest their time and passion into preserving and celebrating this special tradition. We thank them for their commitment to the event and...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 1, 2024 — Lake Garnett, USA In a shocking turn of events at the 2023 Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival (LGGPR), Russ Sifers, the beloved owner of Valomilk candy company and connoisseur of speed (or lack thereof), managed to secure the highly coveted black flag during his daring drive in his vintage 1949 MGTC. Known for its leisurely pace, the MGTC boasts a top speed of 45 to 50 mph on a good day, making it the envy of garden snails worldwide. However, this didn’t stop Sifers from igniting the track with his version of breakneck...

The weather was less than perfect this past November, but it still happened.  Due to issues with water over the dam, the 2018 Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival had to be rescheduled to one of the COLDEST NOVEMBER WEEKENDS EVER! Nevertheless, the 5th annual vintage auto event was another huge success thanks to all the volunteers, the Committee Chairs, fans, sponsors and supporters who gave their time to make this event so worthwhile. In past years, LGGPR has donated thousands of dollars to area charities or civic groups, and this year three local organizations reaped the benefits of the 3-day affair.  $500...

Yesterday marked a significant milestone as the resurfacing of the Lake Garnett Raceway was officially completed, ensuring the track’s legacy will endure for years to come. To celebrate this achievement, Tracy Modlin, president of the Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival (LGGPR), presented a check for $90,428.60 to the Garnett City Commission last night, with the funds coming directly from the “Save the Track” initiative.  This fund, made possible by the generous donations of countless supporters, plus major contributions from the City of Garnett, Goppert State Service Bank, Kansas Tourism, Thrive Allen County, and McAnany Construction Inc., is a testament to...

Please join us as we celebrate the life of a man who meant so much to so many. This year would have marked Tracy’s 14th year with the Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival. To honor the passion, dedication, and heart he poured into the Revival, we will be lapping North Lake 14 times. One lap for each year he helped make this incredible event what it is today.  Saturday, August 1 Begin gathering after 2:00 p.m. – Track will close and memorial laps will start at 3:00pm East Shelter House – North Lake, Garnett, Kansas For our LGGPR family, we’ll be parking...

Here is some of the crew recruiting at the All Speed Expo for 2020. We had a great turn out and met lots of great folks while getting to talk about this years event for Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival. We are holding the event October 9th, 10th and 11th which is the second weekend in October. The second weekend is always our goal unless, mother nature tells us otherwise. Look forward to seeing you on the track. Enjoy a few pics

The 1968 Lake Garnett Grand Prix program reflects a later chapter in the original run of races. Its pages document the competitors, schedule, and community partnerships that kept the event thriving. As the racing world continued to evolve, Lake Garnett remained an important venue for drivers and fans alike. Thank you to Susan Wettstein for preserving and sharing this historic program.

This image captures a published article from Victory Lane Magazine highlighting the history and spirit of the Lake Garnett Grand Prix. Written by longtime participant and sponsor Russ Sifers, the piece reflects both firsthand experience and deep appreciation for the event’s legacy. Russ has been an integral part of the Lake Garnett Grand Prix community for years, and his article helps share that story with a wider audience of vintage racing enthusiasts. We are proud to see the Grand Prix recognized in print and grateful for Russ’s continued support of the event.

The Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival is now in its 13th year. Many of the people who sat around that table in January 2014 are still involved. The event has grown, evolved, and taken on a life that the founding group could only imagine when they were building track schedules on spreadsheets and debating port-a-potty placement. Two of the three founding members are gone. CB Harris, the man who opened the gates in 2013 and made everyone believe this was possible, passed away several years ago. His wife Cheryl – who was beside him at every meeting, every event, every...

Lake Garnett is an old historic “Ghost Track” at Garnett, KS that held famous SCCA races from 1959 to 1972. Many of the sports car greats raced there: Dave McDonald, Don Yenko, Ken Miles, Jack Hinkle, Jim Hall, Bob Johnson, Bob Aylward, Toly Arutunoff and KC legends Bob Hindson, Tom Newcomer, Grace Harris, Joe Egle and Woody Woodward. I never had the opportunity to see the races at Lake Garnett in the old days, but now I have the opportunity to actually run my 1949 MG TC on the very same road course as legends of sports car racing did....

The 2025 Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival Spirit of the Event Award recognizes an outstanding group of individuals and organizations whose dedication helps make the event possible each year. Congratulations to Paul Yeager, Scott Ward, Willie Helms, Rick Feuerborn, TT&T Towing (Mike Topp), the City of Garnett (Kris Hixx), Garnett Fire Department, St. Luke’s Anderson County Ambulance, Jon Mensie, and Rick VanTuyl. This award honors those who give their time, expertise, and support to ensure the revival runs smoothly and safely. From logistics and safety to behind-the-scenes coordination, their efforts reflect the strong community partnership that defines the Lake Garnett...

Nobody fully anticipated what the morning would look like. Cars started arriving early, and despite the printed signs on every approach road, the directions to the track created a problem that nobody had fully planned for. The phones didn’t stop ringing. Confused drivers stacked up on the approach roads, and by the time the committee realized what was happening, there was a two-mile traffic jam backed up toward town. The local police showed up. They were aware of the event and supportive of it, but the message was clear: sort this out, and sort it out fast. They did. The...

It’s time for our annual volunteer drive.  Here are some specific positions we are looking to fill for 2021 but if you have some other way you can help, just let me know.