THE REVIVAL TIMES

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.

Due to flooding, this year’s Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival (www.LGGPR.org) was rescheduled for November 9-11. It was a cold weekend (15 degrees at sunrise on Saturday) but three brave KC MG Car Club members took their TCs to the event. Robert Griffey took his ’46 TC, Chris Cassell took his ’47 TC and Russ Sifers took his ’49 TC to run at death defying speeds up to and including 60 mph in the Great Britain Group at noon. Jon Green always brings his ’38 TA but he was out of the country and Cleo Simmonds’ ’48 TC needed carb...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

The 1972 Lake Garnett Grand Prix program represents one of the later chapters in the event’s original history. Its pages reflect the continued passion for road racing at Lake Garnett and the enduring community involvement that supported it. This program stands as a reminder of the legacy built over more than a decade of competition. We thank Susan Wettstein for preserving and sharing this important historical document.

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...

Grace Harris was from Kansas City and loved racing airplanes and cars. She was the first FAA licensed balloonist. Grace knew Kansas Citian Mastin Gregory. Grace Harris won the 1959 Ladies Group at Lake Garnett in an English Elva MkII made by Frank Nichols. Elva was a corruption of “elle va” meaning “she goes.” Grace Harris won the Women’s Division of the Midwest Region SCCA in 1958, ’59 and ’60. In 1980 she wrote her book “West to the Sunrise” and has a scholarship in her name for female aviation students. Although this is not her car, it is very...

Will Toly come back to Lake Garnett for the 60th Anniversary? YES! Toly hopes to return to Lake Garnett and drive his 2002 Qvale Mangusta. Kjell Qvale (pronounced “Shell Kervahley”) was a Norwegian who came to the states and started selling MG TCs in 1947. He later sold Jaguars, Porsches, Rolls Royces, De Tomasos, Maseratis and Lamborginis among other cars. Qvale was responsible for the Jensen Healey, the Pebble Beach Concours and the Corkscrew design at Laguna Seca. When I asked Toly about his favorite race courses he mentioned Targa Florio and Elkhart Lake. Toly also had a major influence...

This documentary explores the early “street years” at Watkins Glen, when racing took place on public roads before the construction of the permanent circuit. Much like Lake Garnett, the original Watkins Glen races were run through everyday roadways, transforming quiet communities into high-speed motorsport venues. During the 1960s, Watkins Glen and Lake Garnett even competed for the opportunity to host National Championship SCCA events. Both shared similar beginnings — grassroots organization, passionate volunteers, and drivers eager to test their skills on challenging road courses. This film offers a compelling look at a legendary circuit whose early history closely mirrors that...

Editor’s Note: This story was written and submitted by sports car enthusiast Stephen J. England, who recently discovered the Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival through social media. After reconnecting with the legacy of Lake Garnett, he graciously reached out to share the memories of his family’s racing experiences at the historic raceway, and how he is looking forward to returning. We’re proud to feature his contribution as part of preserving and celebrating the history that continues to bring people back to Garnett. We welcome anyone who would like to share their stories of the either the original races or the...

Original Article Credit: https://www.davemacdonald.net July 7th 1963 – Dave MacDonald and the Shelby American team arrive at Lake Garnett Kansas and a full blown Cobra vs Corvettebattle is about to go down. Dave will run Shelby team Cobra CSX2128 Legend has it that racer Bob Johnson – fresh off a June 30th 1963 victory at Watkins Glenn NY, was hauling his independant Cobra out to Kansas for the July 7th Lake Garnett Grand Prix. Johnson had just won the USRRC event in NY finishing just ahead of two Shelby American Cobras driven by Dave MacDonald & Ken Miles. Johnson was...

Dear Lake Garnett Grand Prix Registrants: Thank you for your patience while we have sorted out the details on our 2018 event. It was gut-wrenching for us to have to postpone, but after receiving 11” of rain over a 36-hour period (and more intermittent rain over the weekend), the flooding at the track made holding the Revival an impossible proposition. As we previously announced, we have rescheduled this year’s event for Veterans Day weekend, November 9-11, 2018. We realize that an early November event in the Midwest is a roll-of-the-dice, but it’s historically been very pleasant that weekend, so we...

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...

Here are a few jpeg files of SCCA races in 1971/72 era. My dad, Glen Shepard, raced there in the 1960’s and 1970’s. I remember being at the last race when Ralph Miller was killed. My dad will most likely be attending this years gathering and I’m still trying to see if I can make it. I live in San Francisco and will have a long drive to get there. These were all shot on a movie camera by my dad, Glen Shepard. These are screen grabs that i spruced up to be presentable pictures. Glen went there as a...

Congratulations to Kevin Hinckle and Russell Dickey as the 2023 recipients of the Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival Spirit of the Event Award. This recognition honors individuals who go above and beyond to support the modern revival event — whether through leadership, volunteer service, advocacy, or simply showing up year after year with enthusiasm and dedication. The continued success of the Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival depends on people like Kevin and Russell who help make the weekend memorable for participants and spectators alike. Their commitment reflects the energy and community pride that define the LGGPR today. (Picture hopefully coming...

I want to thank Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival Board members for helping with this effort. They put on a fantastic event every year and they are also helping to bring that same spirit to kids who don’t have the chance to zoom around. About Geeks for Kids Geeks for Kids builds custom electric cars and other assistive devices for kids with movement limitations; we empower kids to explore their world independently – often for the first time in their lives. With this freedom, they are no longer sitting on life’s sidelines, passive observers from strollers and wheelchairs.  Last year,...

Mustang is the featured marque at this year’s event, and organizers of the LGGPR are putting out a call to owners of all years of Boss 302, Boss 351, and Boss 429 Mustangs – in street trim or race versions. Participants and Mustang enthusiasts will be treated to special displays and track groups dedicated to the “World’s Most Popular Ponycar”. Scott Ward, LGGPR President said, “The Mustang crowd has consistently been one of the largest supporting groups at the Revival, and we felt it was fitting to give them the honor of being the featured marque this year, especially since...