General Information
by Kent Williamson
| Street Address: | Phone Numbers: |
|
7201 Lessiter Road |
616-691-7221 (voice) |
|
Belding, Mi 48809 |
616-691-7221 (fax) |
Grattan Raceway is located just west of Belding, Michigan; just north of the Village of Grattan, about 25 miles northeast of Grand Rapids (see map here).
Coming from the east (Detroit, Lansing) take I-96 to exit 52 (Lowell). At the end of the off ramp, turn right and follow Alden Nash Road to Lowell (about 5 miles). In Lowell, Alden Nash Road becomes Lincoln Lake Road. Follow Lincoln Lake Road north to M-44 (flashing red light, about 10 miles). Take M-44 west towards Grattan (about 1/3 mile). Turn right heading into Grattan. As the road bends back to the left, turn right onto Lessiter Road. Be careful as its easy to miss. Follow Lessiter Road for about 1 1/2 miles to track.
Coming from the west (Chicago) take I-196 to US-131. Go north on US-131 to Ten Mile Road (Rockford exit) Follow Ten Mile Road east for about twelve miles (you will T into Lessiter Road). Turn right on Lessiter Road, it's about 1 1/2 miles to track.
From the north or south - use US-131 to Ten Mile Road and follow the directions spelled out above.
Grattan Raceway is a 2.0 mile long winding, hilly road course with 10 very challenging corners. Uphill, downhill ascending and descending radius turns, Monza bowl, esses, a hidden apex hairpin, and even a downhill reverse camber corner, combined with a 3,200 foot straight makes for a very FUN course. Grattan has excellent spectator viewing. When seated in any one of the bleacher sections you can see 70% to 90% of the track surface. Restrooms, with showers, are kept very clean. Paved paddock spaces as well as garages are available for rent. Grattan is the only track in mid-America, if not the US, to have a SWIMMING POOL available for your use. The grounds are kept clean and mowed - so much so, that it is sometimes mistaken for a golf course.
Grattan two inner paddocks, one paved (Upper) and the lower paddock which includes the island.
If you wish to rent a garage ($120 per weekend for a regional race and $150 per weekend for a national race) you are given an upper paddock space.
If you wish only an upper paddock space (paved) the cost is $15 for the weekend. You may not punch holes in the asphalt so be prepared to have some other types of anchors available for any canopy. The inner lower paddock has paved access roads and is for the most part a sand base, which means it is very quick draining and for the most part dry, even in the rain. All gasoline and oil must be disposed of in the available containers, not into the ground
The high outer paddock is the flat hill from Corner 9 to the Start/Finish line, and while it is possible to enter and leave at will (no need to cross the track) no facilities are close by - you must go out to the registration paddock or cross the track to the inner paddock. The registration paddock has ALL the extra special features of Grattan. Clean restrooms with showers, a swimming pool, YES A SWIMMING POOL, an RV dump station, and bleachers just up the hill to watch 70% of the track. The family can swim and have fun at the pool, watch you race, and when done you can leave at any time to go into town.
Registration is located just inside of the main track entrance. The false grid is located behind the starter stand on the road going out to turn 3. This is where all track entrance is done for practice, qualifying, and the race. The race uses a 1 and 1/2 lap pace. For practice only, the checker flag will be displayed at turn 8, leave the track at the pit in (turn 9). For qualifying and the race the checker will only be shown by the starter. The black flag station is turn 8 (and of course, start). All track exit is done through the pit lane (turn 9). Tech (impound) is located at the tech building near the concession stand in the upper inner paddock. For races with very large entries, Showroom Stock and American Sedan will paddock behind the registration building.
At every SCCA race there is a dinner provided free to all workers, competitors and crew. It is one of the best, no it is the BEST in CenDiv. No half cooked brats or warm beer. It usually consists of chicken, beef, pork, sauerkraut with sausage, meatballs, fresh rolls, baked potatoes, potato salad, macaroni salad, Cole slaw, corn, beer, pop, and wine coolers. If you leave hungry, it's your own fault. AND IT'S FREE!!!!
The Friday before each SCCA race weekend is a practice day. This is a track activity and not sanctioned by SCCA. The track provides corner workers and an ALS with paramedics. For the practice, track entrance is done at corner 5 and track exit is corner 3, through the false grid. Pit lane is closed for all practice. You must have a valid racing license to participate in the practice sessions. Each session is 25 minutes with a five minute break between them. If there are a lot of cars, the sessions will be open wheel and then closed wheel - otherwise they are open to all cars. Cost is $125.00 for regionals, $200 for the national. The track is available from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The practice fee is reduced at 2:00 PM by 50%.
Last updated by Dayle Frame on Monday, September 11, 2006
