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2011 Inaugural Nitro Nite Consultants Challenge

Kansas City may have Nascar and Clint Boyer but Topeka has Heartland Park and a never before seen group of competitive racers, thanks to an event hosted in May by GO Topeka. Twelve Site Location Consultants from across the country converged on Shawnee County to participate in the Inaugural Nitro Night Consultants Challenge. The racers were in town to take part in a two day visit to Topeka and Shawnee County that included exclusive suite seats to the NHRA’s (National Hot Rod Association), Summer Nationals at the famous Heartland Park Topeka Raceway. Also included in the event was an autograph session with Don, “Big Daddy” Garlits, a legend in the motorsports world, private receptions, business tours, a private lunch with the Governor and a competitive racing challenge that gives winner David Sours, CB Richard Eillis- Dallas, a full year of bragging rights. Even a slight change in schedule due to rain didn’t dampen the enthusiastic spirits of the first racing class. Those who Mr. Sours beat in the grueling challenge included: Don Holbrook, the Vercitas Group, Hunter Blanks, Colliers International, C. Paige Webster, Foote Consulting Group, LLC, Alison Benton, Aliquantus Consulting, Stephen Hemphill, Mohr Partners, Michael Michalski, The Vercitas Group, David Schrock, NAI Global, Jean Bartman, RSM McGladrey, Inc., Kevin Foral, RSM McGladrey, Inc., Kathy Mussio, Atlas Insight, Alicia Janesko Hutchings, Kansas Department of Commerce.

Participant Reviews

“Thank you so much for having me in Topeka last week. I am truly amazed by the success, attitude, and bright future of Topeka. I can’t wait to share more about what I have learned with other brokers and clients.”—David Sours, First Vice President, CB Richard Ellis- Dallas

“I wanted to thank you for such a wonderful trip to Topeka and want to commend the GO Topeka staff and Board of Directors. You all did a wonderful job hosting us. I learned quite a bit about Topeka with a little fun added to the trip! It was a pleasure meeting you and I think your inaugural event was a hit with my colleagues!” – C. Paige Webster, Site Selection Consultant, Foote Consulting Group, LLC

“Thanks again for a wonderful time at (the Nitro Night event). I truly enjoyed it from the tour of the race track to having lunch with the Governor. I can’t imagine how much work went into this and GO Topeka pulled it off without a hitch.” –Stephen Hemphill, Managing Director, Mohr Partners

“What a great time had by all! I really enjoyed myself at the (Nitro Night) event”.—Hunter Blanks, Executive Vice President, Colliers International

“Jean (Bartman) and I wanted to thank GO Topeka for the hospitality last week. We really had a good time and enjoyed learning about what a great community Topeka is”.—Kevin Foral, Supervisor State and Local Taxes, RSM McGladrey

Participants in the Nitro Night Consultants Challenge get tips from racing legend Don, “Big Daddy” ,Garlits before their competition. Racers pictured in the photo shoot include left to right: Cindee Williams and Dawn Wright, GO Topeka, Hunter Blanks, Colliers International, Jean Bartman, RSM McGladrey, Inc., Stephen Hemphill, Mohr Partners, David Sours, CB Richard Ellis-Dallas, Kevin Foral, RSM McGladrey, Inc., Don Garlits, Don Holbrook, The Vercitas Group, Alison Benton, Aliquantus Consulting, Alicia Janesko Hutchings, Kansas Department of Commerce, Michael Michalski, The Vercitas Group, David Schrock, NAI Global, Paige Webster, Foote Consulting Group, LLC.  Not pictured is racer Kathy Mussio, Atlas Insight.


Kansas Governor Sam Brownback presented special “Speed Demon” Certificates to all the Nitro Night Challengers. Hunter Blanks, Colliers International, accepts his award during an exclusive private lunch with the Governor as part of the two day event.


The Inaugural Nitro Night Consultants Challenge crowned its first winner and runner up at the May 2011 in Topeka. David Sours, CB Richard Ellis- Dallas was named Champion and Alison Benton, Aliquantus Consulting- Dallas, was named Runner Up. Steve Jenkins, CEcD, Senior Vice-President for Business Development, GO Topeka Economic Partnership gave out the trophies during a special recognition ceremony.  David’s accomplishment was the feature of a full page ad in the July 2011 Site Selection Magazine.


Nitro Night Challengers listen to Topeka Harley-Davidson Management discuss their extensive restoration business that is just one of the many departments in the Topeka store. They also have a replica of the first H-D factory in their lower level Museum named Yesterdays.  Challengers were treated to a private breakfast and tour of the facility by owner Mike Patterson during their two day visit to Topeka.