Previous LightningFest Events

LightningFest, a Concept:

The whole idea for Lightning-specific event was conceived while waiting for our second run at WFC4. Although the Lightnings are the largest single class at the WFC, we are always treated like the stepchildren and last to run etc. After WFC, some of us decided to attempt a Lightnings-specific national event. Jerry Hart contacted different tracks and found a free date, at a track in the center of the USA that had both a Drag Strip and a Road Course. We took the open date and thus started the saga of LightningFest.

LightningFest 2003
LightningFest 2003 was the first national event presented by the NLOC. None of us had attempted to put on a racing event, and it was quite an eye opener. The 2003 event was two days long and a full but tiring time. The event was held at Heartland Park Topeka (HPT) and the Capitol Plaza was the event hotel...nice! The event had all of the Drag Racing on Saturday, and the Open Track/Auto Cross was on Sunday. Saturday was also the scheduled time for the Truck Show, so participating in both Drag Racing and the Truck Show was not possible. There was Grudge Racing and the 1st annual Golf Cart race on Saturday evening after the Drag Racing awards ceremony.

Lightning/Harley TruckFest 2004
Lightning/Harley TruckFest 2004 was presented by the NLOC. We expanded the event to cover three full days. We had drag racing on Friday and Saturday, with the On-Track/Autocross and Truck Show being held on Sunday. Once again the On-Track/Autocross did not have enough participants to make the event pay for itself. We will drop the On-Track/Autocross events for 2005. We also changed the event name in 2004, to include the Harley Davidson trucks, but had a disappointing HD turnout. Thus the event name will be changed back to LightningFest, although all HD trucks are invited to participate.

LightningFest 2005
LightningFest 2005 was a three day event again. Friday and Saturday were scheduled to be drag racing days, with Sunday reserved for the Truck Show and grudge/friends & family racing. Friday saw the first rain day in three events. It rained on and off until late afternoon, but dried off to allow our BBQ and the tracks scheduled Friday night drags. Many of the LightningFest participants used the Friday night drags to tune and sharpen their reaction times for Saturday's competetion. We started very early Saturday morning, and with Donald and Shawn's planning, managed to squeeze Friday AND Saturday's events into just one day!

One of the 2005 highlights was the tailgating at the hotel parking lot. I am sorry to say that the HGI is still searching for another security guard to replace the one that was ruined by some of our group. We also want to thank those that provided the entertainment and special refreshments during the evenings festivities. Needless to say, we will be staying at a different hotel in 2006.