THE REVIVAL TIMES

Some moments from the past are worth revisiting — especially when they capture the roar of engines, the swirl of dust off vintage tires, and the unmistakable thrill of competition. The 1963 Lake Garnett Grand Prix stands as one of those unforgettable slices of motorsport history. This original footage doesn’t just show a race — it immerses you in it, placing you trackside with drivers, cars, and fans from a time when grassroots road racing was alive and thriving in communities across America. Watch closely and you’ll see why these early races helped spark a tradition that continues today with...

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our friend, our president, and one of the guiding forces behind the Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival, Tracy Modlin. For many of us, this loss is difficult to put into words. Tracy wasn’t just a member of our board. He was one of the people who helped build the Revival into what it is today. A lifelong Garnett resident, he attended some of the original Lake Garnett races as a young boy. Decades later, he dedicated himself to making sure those races would never be forgotten. From the very...

This feature article, published in Southeast Kansas Living (Spring 2025), highlights the vibrant racing heritage of Garnett and the continued impact of the Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival. The piece captures both the rich history of the original races and the renewed energy surrounding the modern event. Coverage like this helps share the story of Garnett’s motorsport legacy with readers across the region. To discover more stories from Southeast Kansas, subscribe to Southeast Kansas Living and receive each issue in your mailbox: www.sekliving.com. Submitted by Susan Wettstein.

Take a look around from these birds eye point of view images. If it is your first time to the track or want to learn more about it, you can get oriented really easy using these images. Thanks to JP Peck for submitting them. If you are interested in getting any of these photos or services contact mpeckable@gmail.com Different images from the track Shots from the car show and paddock Example run at the Autocross https://vimeo.com/1021575808

Contributed by Brooks Laudin from the Cobra Experience They say a picture is worth a 1000 words. Some pictures are worth more than that, including this one (good for 2400 words) which was brought to our attention by a recent visitor to The Cobra Experience. Dan Haugh is from Kansas, was at this race as a 10-year old, and came out of his seat when this image from the 1963 race at Lake Garnett crossed the screen during our in-house movie at the museum. Like others before him, he suggested there was more to the story behind a simple image,...

Registration for the sixth annual Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival will open a lot earlier than in previous years. . . and close a lot earlier as well. Organizers of the vintage sports car event have restructured registration in anticipation of a greater number of participant applications for the 2019 Revival as the Ford Mustang is the featured marque. Commemorations will be taking place for not only the 50th Anniversary of the Boss Mustang, but also the 60th Anniversary of the Lake Garnett Raceway. The new registration format and important dates are: Another reason for the change is to keep...

Save Victoria British from Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car October, 2012 – Words and Photography by David LaChance Little British sports cars, you might have noticed, have a lot going for them. They’re fun to drive. They’re blessedly free of snob appeal. They’re usually inexpensive to buy. And they’re cheap to keep, too. A Kansas City engineer named Leo Long noticed all of these things three decades ago, when he launched a parts business for some of the more popular British cars. He called his company Long Motor Corporation, but did business under a name chosen to evoke Old Blighty:...

There is something special about watching racing history come alive on film. In 1958, the quiet roads around Lake Garnett transformed into a high speed circuit filled with sports cars, open exhaust notes, and the unmistakable energy of American road racing’s golden era. Long before modern safety barriers and digital timing systems, drivers relied on raw skill, courage, and mechanical intuition to navigate the winding lakeside course. This original footage captures the Lake Garnett Grand Prix as it happened — not recreated, not retold — but preserved in motion. A Glimpse Into 1958 Road Racing The late 1950s were a...

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...

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...

The founding group knew immediately that they couldn’t do it alone. The event needed the car club community behind it – not just as participants, but as organizers and owners of the outcome. Darren reached out to every club he could identify, invited representatives to come and sit at the table, and made the case: this is your event too. The response exceeded what any of them had hoped for. On January 14, 2014, the first formal committee meeting was held. The room filled up. Ten clubs sent voting representatives, and a formal organizational structure was elected on the spot....

The 1961 Lake Garnett Grand Prix program provides a window into another exciting year of road racing at the lake. From event details to participating drivers and local sponsors, the program captures the atmosphere surrounding the growing popularity of the Grand Prix. Documents like this remind us how thoughtfully organized these early races were. Many thanks to Susan Wettstein for preserving and contributing this historic program.

We are proud to share that great grandsons Trevor and Derek were featured on the back cover of The Sacred Octagon, the official magazine of the New England MG T Register. The Register is an international organization, and its publication is distributed throughout the United States and Europe. The photograph was taken during last year’s Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival, capturing not only a special family moment but also the spirit of vintage motoring that defines the event. It is exciting to see Lake Garnett represented on an international stage, highlighting the next generation of enthusiasts who continue to carry...

There is a unique thrill in watching vintage racing footage — especially when it captures a moment in time that helped shape a community’s passion for motorsport. The 1961 Lake Garnett Grand Prix sits squarely in that place where history, enthusiasm, and pure racing spirit intersect. Just a few years after the original events began, this race showcased drivers and cars at the height of early American sports car competition — raw, spirited, and deeply connected to local fans. This video is more than moving images. It’s a window into a bygone era where the roar of engines echoed across...

Ever wonder who took the green flag at the 1969 Lake Garnett Grand Prix? This original entry list offers a fascinating snapshot of the drivers and cars that lined up to compete that year. From familiar names to forgotten contenders, the document captures the depth and diversity of the field during one of the later years of the original races. For longtime fans, it may spark memories. For newer enthusiasts, it provides a glimpse into the competitors who helped shape the Lake Garnett Grand Prix legacy. Take a look and see what names you recognize.

Before permanent race facilities became the norm, many of America’s most famous circuits were run on public roads — including Watkins Glen. This video looks back at the original Watkins Glen road races from 1948 to 1952, when competitors navigated everyday roadways much like they did at Lake Garnett. In the 1960s, Watkins Glen and Lake Garnett were even competing for the opportunity to host National Championship SCCA races. Both venues shared similar roots in grassroots road racing, built on community effort and a love of motorsport. It’s a fascinating look at another legendary “ghost track” that once stood alongside...

The LGGPR was delayed until November which brought snow and 14F weather! A few of the HVR drivers came from TX, OK, KS, and MO to overcome the cold and enjoy some great camp fire time and fun driving on the track! HVR truly appreciates being able to participate in this one of a kind event! See you in 2019!

The original Lake Garnett Grand Prix was sanctioned by the SCCA from 1959 to 1972.  It is a 2.8 mile public road course around a fishing lake in a small park in Garnett, KS (population 3,253) which is about 75 miles south of Kansas City.  Lake Garnett has quite a history, but as sports cars became more powerful and faster, the course became too dangerous, so the races were stopped, and it became a Ghost Track. In 2014 C.B. Harris and others revived the Ghost Track, added a car show, an autocross and rides around the course at speed for...

This 1969 event program offers a detailed look at one of the final years of the original Lake Garnett Grand Prix era. Inside are driver rosters, race information, and sponsor acknowledgments that illustrate the scale and organization of the event. Programs like this serve as lasting records of the dedication behind the races. We appreciate Susan Wettstein for helping keep this history alive.

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.