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 Grand Prix.

“When I turned 14, I got my first job at Bill Riggs Plaza Mobil Service, an import repair shop, learning the trade by working on everything from Borgwards and Simcas to sleek Jaguars.  I then worked as a technician in Kansas City at British, Porsche, Honda and Subaru car dealers.  I then went to American Honda Motor Co., where I retired as District Parts & Service Manager.

“Over those years, I raced in many SCCA events in the ‘70’s, driving an Austin Healey Sprite, a Formula Ford and a Super Vee.  I have also owned British Cars, Porsches, Japanese cars and currently a C8 Corvette that Susan, my wife of 40 years, enjoys as much as I do.

“In May of 1952, my Parents, Hal and Mary Stipe, purchased a shiny new MG TD and immediately joined the Kansas City Region of the Sports Car Club of America.  They were very active in SCCA from the very beginning, entering road rallies, gymkhanas and even a few sanctioned races.  In 1953, Mary entered her first and only race in Chanute, Illinois where she finished 3^rd!  [And I still have the trophy.]”

The Stipes soon decided that driving race cars was not the only thing that piqued their interest, and they decided to become active in officiating local races.  Hal was the Starter, Course Marshal and Tech Inspector at several races, and his first race as Chief Steward was in St. Joseph, Missouri in 1955.  Over the next eight years, he went on to be Chief Steward for over 30 races throughout the Midwest.  Mary was right beside him, tracking every driver, every final position and every winning time as Race Secretary.  

“In 1959, Mom and Dad and two friends, Dale Duncan and Bill Ong, got together to talk about a new and different race in Garnett, Kansas.  I am not sure who brought the idea to the others, but I do remember meetings in our dining room with the three men discussing the plans while Mom kept their glasses full of tea and took notes on all the ideas each of them presented.  I also remember traveling to Garnett with Dad to meet with Mr. Stith and Mr. Crippen.  We went to their homes, and I would sit quietly while they talked about the plans for the newly formed Lake Garnett Grand Prix.  

“As a 12-year-old, this was all very exciting.  My parents were obviously very passionate, and involved in the whole process.  As it evolved, more members of the Kansas City SCCA got involved.  I remember lots of meetings, and the vision started to expand to a whole community of volunteers.  I remember Dad saying on many occasions that this event could be on the same level as Watkins Glen in New York and Elkhart Lake in Wisconsin.”

The group’s first race at Lake Garnett was in 1959 in which Bill Ong was Regional Executive of the KC Region; Dale Duncan was Race Chairman; Hal Stipe was Chief Steward, and Mary Stipe was Chief Scorer.   Hal was Chief Steward for the next five years, Director of Racing in 1964, and thereafter was in the group of “Stewards of the Meet”.   Mary was Race Secretary from 1960 through 1964, and she worked at every remaining race in one capacity or another until Lake Garnett Grand Prix ended.

“The last race I believe Dad held the Chief Steward position was at Wentzville, Missouri in 1965.  After that, he participated mostly in an honorary position for several years.  Mom worked at races every year until her passing in 1978.  In the mid-1980s, the Midwest Division of SCCA started an award for the most devoted worker of the year.  It was called the “Stipe / England Award”, named after my Mom and Margaret England of the Oklahoma Region.”

Hal and Mary Stipe were an important part of the birth of Lake Garnett Raceway and all the excitement the races brought to this lovely rural community.  Of course, the City of Garnett and the Kansas City Region of the SCCA provided much needed manpower, promotional assistance and funds.  The Stipes certainly had a passion and vision of what the races should be like, and they saw that happen.

“We often talked and reminisced about this great adventure in SCCA racing, and they were especially proud of their part in the Lake Garnett Grand Prix.  They remembered when the Scarabs and the Cobras came to Garnett, and they also remembered all of the local drivers who had become close friends over the years.   They were proud to be a part of it all.”

As they should be.  And as Larry should be too.