Chanute "Chute-Out" May 15-17th
Anyone within a couple hundred miles of eastern Kansas may be interested
in this event. It is the fifth annual "Chute-Out" in Chanute. Steve
Fickel is the host of the event. The gist of it is that Saturday
morning, from 9 to noon, one of the taxiways at the local airport is
closed to airplanes so that we can run our LBCs down a 5/8's mile
straight to see how fast it'll go.
I am not affiliated with the event other than a participant for the last
few years. It is the only event I find all year long that you can hammer
the car if you want to. Truly, if your top speed approaches 130, you
shouldn't participate unless your brakes and braking skills are very,
very good. But that pretty much leaves it wide open for most of our
cars.
Typically you drive in on Friday night and check into the Holiday Park
Inn (800-842-9910 or 316-431-0850). The hotel is okay but beware that
the back parking lot is often full of pudgy, talkative, and inebriated
owners of British Cars until late in the evening. (Bring your own lawn
chairs, asprin, & Malox.)
Early Saturday morning the Jaycees put on a breakfast at the airport
(edible and cheap) followed by the speed trails. The afternoon is an
impromptu car show in their quaint and cute downtown. That evening is a
group dinner that benefits charity and drains everyone's coolers. The
evening closes with a trip to the world famous Jesse's tavern for pool
and table shuffle board competitions.
Sunday events are usually mostly medicinal but, this year, Steve may be
having a morning event.
Every year there is some whining that the event is unsafe, the
officiating is to amateur, etc. Everyone has a right to their opinion
and I encourage those people to stay home and vent all they want.
The cost of the event is $15 a car and $10 a plate at the dinner. Make
checks payable to the Chanute Automobile Club and mail to Stephen
Fickel, 402 So Lincoln, Chanute, KS 66720. Steve's number is
316-431-0515.
It's always been a hoot in Chanute and I will certainly be there in the
old TR6 if not the decrepit C/GT.
Bob Allen, Kansas City, '69CGT, '75TR6, '62Elva
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