STT > Grattan Michigan, May 16

[Buffalo Bill]

Bought a ticket for Saturday, 5-15.
Sportbike Track Time
Grattan Raceway Park is tough tight course with a 3000' straight. it mess wit yu hehdd…

 

[Buffalo Bill]

Got my 1st track day of 2020 soon, Saturday 5-15.

Riding today, to get accustom to the power, shiftier, boots and helmet.
The hard seat and suspension gave me a sore butt.

 

[Dogma]

That looks like a very fun track, with those elevation changes. I don't know how I feel about that long straight. I'd probably be a coward in that braking zone.

 

[Tom R]

The straight is nothing.... try a Down hill, blind, reducing radius, double apex turn....lol.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

Yeah, the long straight is very fast but the right turn at the end is very wide, so not so scary. The blind over the bluff into a slow negative camber left is chilly.
The double SS messes up my timing, a fast long right into a right hairpin, then flat out up a hill into a blind right then left onto the straight.
Found this youtube, but the wide angle lens makes it all look flat and slow.
In real time and real eye vision, everything looks short, fast and in your face. With the G force pushing your helmet down so all you can see is the pavement.
I think this will only be my 3rd time on this track. I find it kinda brutal. Many riders say it's their favorite.

 

[93Bandit]

Wow, that looks fun. I may have to ride across the Mitten some time to cheer you on. I don't have big enough hardware to get on a track, if you know what I mean.

 

[Carter Turk]

Looks to be an exciting layout, but wonder, are those tar strips? No cones or apex curbing.

Must get sketchy on a hot day, smearing about.

The repave patches would mess with my head personally as to grip levels and feedback from the tires.

I planned to go to the Ridge on 5/10-11, but still in lock down here.

Bike has been sitting since September, the bike gives me that look each time I walk in the garage.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

Hey Carter, They worried me too my 1st time on the track, so I asked the coach. He said those are patches of high grip compound.
I rode my GS1100G the first time on that track and did not have any issue, and never since on my GSX. Have not seen anybody loose grip.
Rumor is, it's a bad track in the rain.

 

[Spyder]

Looks like a really fun track. How much does that cost?

 

[Buffalo Bill]

Looks like a really fun track. How much does that cost?

$205 per day & $10 at the gate.
Spectators welcome, just pay the gate fee.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

Looks like the weather will be kinda rainy…but with a window of dryness Saturday morning, chance of showers after 2:00 pm.
Decided it would be safer to camp, so I don't have to drive at 4 thru 6:30 AM during a rainstorm.
I rather be in a tent in the rain, getting whatever sleep I can.
6 feet apart in the pits and on the track.
Bring your own food or starve.
Gotta bring my own pen too, so I can sign the wavers.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

Saturday weather was great, sunny, dry 68?.
Camped the night before. Grattan Raceway is a very pretty race track like some in the UK.
Took these videos of the 1st session, so riders were taking it ez.

Main straight:

Turn 3 (blind downhill reverse camber):

 

[Carter Turk]

I checked the weather in Grand Rapids yesterday, hoping the weather would hold out for you.

How'd it go?

Washington is back on for track days next week. Getting excited.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

I checked the weather in Grand Rapids yesterday, hoping the weather would hold out for you.

How'd it go?

Washington is back on for track days next week. Getting excited.

My day was Saturday. Weather was ideal, 70? sunny, track was clean, dry and mechanically swept of any sand Friday.
My goal was just to learn the track better. I got all the funky corners down and did well, wore my legs and arms out.
I was nervous until I finally got on the highway to the track, then I was cool the rest of the weekend.
Camped out and had asthma in the tent because my blankets were dusty, plus the 100% humidity. So I slept sitting in the car. I felt better after the 1st session.
Face masks started to disappear as the day went on. Too hard to hear people with unmuffled engines ripping by, plus earplugs. You have to read lips or shout into each others ear.
Had some friendly conversations with my neighbors in the pits. So nice to be among reckless people again. HA!!
Amazing, I don't remember a single crash all through Saturday's sessions.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

Here's some videos I made Friday evening, looking over the track as it was being swept clean.