GOVERNOR’S PROCLAMATION FOR KANSAS RACING TEAM

On March 7, 2016, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback issued a Governor’s Proclamation creating a brand new auto racing team known as the “Kansas Racing Team” as fielded by the Kansas Auto Racing Museum of Chapman, Kansas.  The project is one of the most unique projects in the nation from the standpoint the Kansas Auto Racing Museum in conjunction with JPI Racing will work directly with Chapman High School (Unified School District #473) for educational purposes to enable students from various classes at Chapman High School including video production, journalism, accounting and automotive to be actively involved in the development of, marketing and performance of a race car in the Super Cup Stock Car Series.

Kansas Auto Racing Museum President Doug Thompson stated, “In 1994, then Governor Joan Finney designated our team as the official Kansas Racing Team in the NASCAR Goody’s Dash Series.  We became the first Kansas based team to qualify for the Daytona Dash 200, we finished 19th nationally in points including a 10th place finish in the first NASCAR event held at Homestead Speedway in South Florida.”

Thompson further stated, “For 2016-17 season, we are working with the students of Chapman High School and JPI Racing to develop a quality entry for the Super Cup Series.  The car we are using is a former NASCAR race car.”

Students in multiple classes at Chapman High School will have the unique opportunity to be a part of the racing team.  Students in automotive, accounting, journalism, video production and more will be involved in the development of the racing team.  This will be an excellent opportunity for students to be involved in “hands on” racing team.  The team will bring the project to life by allowing students to be involved in the development of the racing team.

The project will continue for multiple years as the team develops.  Students who are now sophomores may very well be involved in the maintenance, marketing and promotion of the “Kansas Racing Team” as millenniums showcase their show and marketing skills to a new generation of millennium consumers.

Thompson stated, “In addition to the development of a high quality race car the students will be marketing the team.  Students will learn real life experiences in marketing, promotions, automotive maintenance, accounting while developing the project into a 30 minute TV program to be broadcast across Eagle Communications to their peers and racing enthusiasts as the team progresses.”

Jeremy Petty of JPI Racing stated, “What an amazing opportunity for students to work on a former NASCAR race car and develop it into the “Kansas Racing Team” for competition. Students will interact with potential sponsors just like a NASCAR Cup team would do.  We will follow the same process as a big league racing team would.  The biggest advantage for the students is they will have a 30 minute television show of their exploits, efforts, successes and failures.”

The race car will be maintained at Chapman High School.  Both Thompson and Petty will work with the students in every capacity to develop a high quality, professional racing team.

No school or school district funds will be used for the project.  The project will be funded through the Kansas Auto Racing Museum and marketing efforts specifically targeting Kansas companies and advertisers for the television show, website and web broadcast.

For further information concerning the project, contact Doug Thompson at the Kansas Auto Racing Museum at 785-922-6642 or by email at karm@eaglecom.net