The start of the NHRA Lucas Division 5 race season kicked off this weekend with the National Hot Rod competition at Great Bend’s S.R.C.A dragstrip. The Sunflower Rod and Custom Association is hosting the event, which concludes today after two days of qualifying, for the eighth year.
The Division 5 race has brought in 370 competitors from six provinces of Canada and 19 states, including Hawaii. This year features the Top Alcohol class. These cars will reach speeds in excess of 260 mph and could possibly set several national records this weekend.
  Race teams, with their tractor-trailers, began arriving days before registration. Drivers range in age from a student who is graduating from high school, driving a competition eliminator, to the seasoned driver that participated in the first national event held at the Expo complex in 1955.
Racers come from very diverse backgrounds. Even though the majority are involved in the automotive industry as mechanics and engineers. Among these thrill seekers are also private business owners, bus drivers, law enforcement officers, farmers, commercial air pilots, retirees and even a gentleman that developed his own fragrance line. Most of the teams include family members that help and support them managing various responsibilities from the car maintenance to travel coordination and tracking all the various statistics.
  The SRCA volunteers have worked intensely the last two months in preparation for the Lucas event. More lights have been installed throughout the Expo complex to improve visibility. The club also obtained a street sweeper to sweep the entire complex.
In order to maintain the runway area in front of Expo I and II, 250 yards of concrete has been poured. Various members of the community donated their time, equipment and skills to help complete the extensive repairs to the Expo complex.
  The Lucas Division 5 eliminations will begin this morning at 9. The gates open at 7. Spectators are welcome to walk through the pit area and see the race teams in action on and off the track. Come experience the thrill that began in Great Bend in 1955.