)
| HOME > HOBBIES > PORSCHE 911 > TRACK > GRATTAN RACEWAY 1 |
|---|
|
We've been doing the same tracks over and over so we were ready for a new
challenge. This time we ventured deep into Michigan near Grand Rapids.
This is the site of a neat
little track called Grattan Raceway.
This even was sponsored by Western Michigan Region PCA.
Does the weather have to suck for just about every track event? The first
day was pretty decent, a little hot and humid but at least the sun was out
for a while. The second day, however, was rainy from morning then turned to
torrential downpours by noon. I only went out for a couple laps in the
morning during a break in the rain but it was too crowded and I didn't
feel comfortable with all those cars around.
This being my first time on this track ever I wasn't as much concerned about getting a really good lap time. At first I thought I'd never learn this course! It's so technical I was referring to it as a 3D autocross course! There were a lot of tight turns, most of them off-camber, decreasing radius, uphill, downhill, etc. There was only one straight!! My best lap time was 1:46.30 which isn't that great. When I reviewed the video I identified quite a few places I could go quite a bit faster.
|
||
| Click on thumbnail to view full-size image | ||
|---|---|---|
) The drivers meeting was both informative and entertaining. |
) Our cars ready to go. |
) Lots of cars. |
) Jason relaxing between sessions. |
||
| Click on thumbnail to view full-size image | ||
|---|---|---|
) Looks pretty good from this angle. |
) Interesting back end. |
) Notice the big opening in the front for cooling. |
) And here is where it comes out. |
) The interior. |
|
) |
Once again here is some video of me taking a rather slow lap around
Grattan. The beeps are back again mostly due to the track being very
bumpy in places. The video just doesn't give the track justice. There
is a lot of stuff going on, the track undulates, drops out from under
you in a turn, etc!!!
QuickTime Movie - Approx. 6.4M |
|
) |
There were some great places to watch the action. One of my favorite was
the stands near the end of the paddock where you could get a great view
of the "esses". The video below is of some cars going through the esses.
QuickTime Movie - Approx. 5.6M |
|
| Click on thumbnail to view full-size image | ||
|---|---|---|
) Jason coming out of turn 6. |
) Jason in turn 5. |
) And again just over the jump. |
) Jason being chased by a very fast 914 in turn 5A. |
) Jeremy coming out of turn 6. |
) Jeremy going through the esses. |
) Antonio's dad's new 996 C4. |
) And again just before turn 5. |
) A Viper. |
) I rarely see a 356 on the track. |
) One of the many 928s at this event. |
) Bright red 993. |
) A 944 braking into turn 6. |
) One of the BMWs at the event. |
) A 635 on the track? |
) A really fast C4S. |
) A 996 cab. |
) Some really fast group 1 cars. |
) Two 928s and a 911. |
) A 928 and 944 in the esses. |
) A 928, 996 and Subaru? Did I mention there were a lot of 928s at this event? |