A Lap of Grattan Raceway

by Kent Williamson

Taking the green flag at the starters stand (S/F), which is about a third of the way down the straight you head into turn 1 (map note T1, 120-degree right), don't apex too early. Since the track was repaved (1995 fall) the entrance no longer is wavy and a driver may now go far left to begin the turn.

Up a slight rise to corner 2 (map note T2, 90-degree right) letting the car go wide left after the apex, but you must bring the car back across to drivers right to set up for the unbelievable corner 3 (map note T3, 130-degree left, downhill, off camber apex with an uphill exit). After not believing you actually made it through 3 you must bring the car back to drivers left to set up for corner 4 (map note T4, 90-degree right).

Hard on the gas, downhill (Sound control is here on the drivers left, and Grattan has a 103dB limit for 1997), uphill and a crest, see picture of lower paddock (wait for the car to settle before braking!) then a series of right left right esses (map note T5, T5A). If you did not wait for the car to settle before braking you will go straight not right (not the fastest line, especially if it has been raining and you get stuck). After the esses corner 6 (map note T6, 140-degree left, with 25-degree banking), know as the "..bowl" (use sugar or toilet as preface). Hard on gas for corner 7 (map note T7, almost a straight but with a slight turn to the right), the track has been repaved here and is a lot wider than it used to be (and a lot faster). The trees are now protected by a guard rail from corner 6 through corner 8. You will be going downhill to a completely blind apex at corner 8. Yes, you actually turn before you can see the corner.

Corner 8 (map note T8, 115-degree right, blind apex) has a fast line that is not what is expected - most who try are hit from the inside, some are put on their heads. You need to hold the car in slightly, do not allow it to drift left at the exit. The fastest way is to brake harder going in to the corner and the get on it on the exit. Too high an entrance speed and you will be very badly out of line on the exit and have to brake to pull the car back, this is where you get in trouble if someone who took it right will pass you (hit you). Now it's uphill with a quick left and right, then corner 9 (Map note T9, 70-degree increasing radius left) and onto the straight to the finish line located not at the starter stand but in front of the timing and scoring tower. The pit in is located at turn 9 (drivers right).

Last updated by Dayle Frame on Monday, September 11, 2006