Grattan Raceway May 11 (Near Grand Rapids MI) Options

[StanIROCZ]

A friend of mine is putting together a track day at Grattan Raceway, which is east of Grand Rapids and NW from Lansing Michigan. It is an open day. 4 heats of 10 cars. So far we have 9 registerd but they are filling up quick so you might want to register soon to reserve your spot. Cost is $125 and the date is Thursday May 11.

For more information about the track day and to register visit http://events.kzoorice.com/

For more information about the track see http://www.grattanraceway.com/

[nape]

I'd love to go if it was on a weekend, but I can't take any time off work right now.

I want to get to Grattan some time after seeing a video, it looks like it'd be a challenging course.

[StanIROCZ]

I'd love to go if it was on a weekend, but I can't take any time off work right now.

I want to get to Grattan some time after seeing a video, it looks like it'd be a challenging course.

yeah, the track sounds sweet. It has some elevation changes, blind apex etc. The coolest thing about it is it has 1/2 mile straight away coming out of a 50 mph turn! That is what really sold me. I have 3rd gen with a 700R4 so I am getting the full throttle upshift into 4th kit from GM since my 3.42's will limit me to about 120 in 3rd. I can't wait!

[nape]

yeah, the track sounds sweet. It has some elevation changes, blind apex etc. The coolest thing about it is it has 1/2 mile straight away coming out of a 50 mph turn! That is what really sold me. I have 3rd gen with a 700R4 so I am getting the full throttle upshift into 4th kit from GM since my 3.42's will limit me to about 120 in 3rd. I can't wait!

Get a big ol' trans cooler too. My 700R4 wasn't fresh when I roasted it, but it sure sucks to end a track day less then half way through because you've only got 1st and 2nd.

Or, roast it for an excuse to put a T5 in. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[StanIROCZ]

you are the 2nd person to tell me that so I just may do that. I just bought some sythetic ATF which should help with the heat but the cooler couldn't hurt either.

Just take a day off! Come on!

[nape]

you are the 2nd person to tell me that so I just may do that. I just bought some sythetic ATF which should help with the heat but the cooler couldn't hurt either.

Just take a day off! Come on!

I wish I could but I just started two weeks ago, a little too soon to take time off already.

Anyway, another conclusion that I've jumped to (since I don't have any hard data) is that the fluid wasn't hot (from being driven around) when I checked the full level. I don't claim to be a 700R4 guru, but having fluid push out around the pan gasket couldn't have been good for it.

I'm not sure whether it was the heat or having too much fluid in it that killed it. After I lost 3rd, I realized it was pushing fluid out all over the place.

This post has been edited by nape: Apr 6 2006, 12:32 AM

[StanIROCZ]

Call in sick, they won't fire you the first time. But seriously I understand. Too bad you can't make it.

I found out some more information today. We are allowed to camp out at the track the night before so we don't have to wake up and leave in the wee hours of the AM to get there at 8:00. We will have a car pool of 11 cars coming from Royal Oak meeting at 5:00 on Wednesday.

So far there are 13 cars registered and probably another 10 that are coming but just haven't registered yet.

[StanIROCZ]

Last call!

2 spots left (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[ERVRCG]

The long straight away is cool but the coolest is the jump. If you don't know the jump you will. I've only managed to take the jump flat out 2-3 times and still make the right hander after landing.

It's one of the funest track I've ever driven. Just don't get frustrated when a civic is faster then you everywhere except the front straight.

A good time with a stock car and 16" (255/50/16)race tires is in the 1:33 range. When you get good I've run 1:30-1:31.

It's a drivers track.

A good exit will give me about 131MPH on the front straigt with 3:42 gears.

This post has been edited by ERVRCG: May 1 2006, 03:01 PM

[StanIROCZ]

1 week away.

131 mph? I was wondering about this. I have have a 3.42 axle as well and my TPI redlines at 5500 and I have the auto trans. I'm good for 120mph in third. It looks like you drive a 4th gen with an LS1 so you have about 50 more HP than I. I bought the full throttle upshift kit but I probably won't have time to install. I may be alright with out it. I have bigger problems deal with now.

[nape]

I may be alright with out it. I have bigger problems deal with now.

You will be fine with the OD upshift kit. Did you get a trans fluid cooler yet? I just don't want to hear that you had to find a roll back to get a ride home.

This post has been edited by nape: May 7 2006, 12:59 AM

[ws6transam]

Wow this sure sounds like fun and it's only 90 minutes from my house!
I've always wanted to try out Gratten.

..Too bad I still have the car in pieces.
Maybe next time, eh?

[StanIROCZ]

Maybe next time, eh?

We got the track again for July 28th. Will you have the car back together by then? I was on your site a few weeks ago and thought about emailing you about the event since I saw that you are close, but couldn't find your email or something.



To re-cap the event... It rained the whole time, but it still ended up being a great time. The best part was how much I improved throughout the day. It should pay off on a dry day.

I got up to about 108-110 mph in the striaght. Could have gone faster if I waited to the last minute to brake, but there is no reason to risk it so I took about 2x as much stopping distance as I needed since it was wet.

Believe it or not the faster car out there (besides the Spec Fords) was my buddys FWD Supercharged Honda Prelude. He was the only one who could accelerate in the rain. (we had about 12 C5 vettes and he was passing them). There was a M3 that was fast but he didn't tangle with him.

Grattan is a great track, way better than Gingerman. I look forward to going back in July. Hopefully some guys from this board can come.

[StanIROCZ]

You will be fine with the OD upshift kit. Did you get a trans fluid cooler yet? I just don't want to hear that you had to find a roll back to get a ride home.

I put in a small B&M cooler 5x11x.75. The way it sits it will get a lot of airflow. I'm sure it didn't get too hot since I didn't ride it too hard b/c of the rain and it being a cold wet day. I don't know if that cooler is enough for a hot day. I also put in synthetic fluid which should help.

Heater core went out on me however. That ment a cold wet ride home. I didn't get the upshift mod installed in time but it turns out that i didn't need it.

[QUASAR]

I was there and had a great time. It was my first RR track day after wanting to do it for years. I wished it wouldn't have rained, I put the car into the grass twice (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I was running a non-optimal RR setup (heavy Strange Dana 60 35 spline rear, the big boxed poly LCA's, stock shocks & springs, and drag radials...yes drag radials). I was trying to take it easy but it got away from me under braking a coulple times after hopping the axle. I could not lay power down anywhere, even on the sraight, it would spin the tires in 4th (4.10 gear) and the hydroplaning kept me from looking at the speedo so I couldn't tell you how fast it was going. Ohwell, thats what I get for bringing a drag car to the RC haha lol.

I will be at the next one, hopefully better prepared with a better blend of handling components vs drag components. The track is awesome, the elevation changes make it a great experince. It was like a roller coaster. The jump was definitely interesting and I was wayy to big of a wuss to brake after it, and it was probably a good idea I didn't try. I brought it home in one piece minus an axle bearing (drag bearings).

See you at the next one. I will come say hi StanIrocZ. I was there with the guys in the 2 blue z06's.

[StanIROCZ]

I was there and had a great time. It was my first RR track day after wanting to do it for years. I wished it wouldn't have rained, I put the car into the grass twice (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I was running a non-optimal RR setup (heavy Strange Dana 60 35 spline rear, the big boxed poly LCA's, stock shocks & springs, and drag radials...yes drag radials). I was trying to take it easy but it got away from me under braking a coulple times after hopping the axle. I could not lay power down anywhere, even on the sraight, it would spin the tires in 4th (4.10 gear) and the hydroplaning kept me from looking at the speedo so I couldn't tell you how fast it was going. Ohwell, thats what I get for bringing a drag car to the RC haha lol.

I will be at the next one, hopefully better prepared with a better blend of handling components vs drag components. The track is awesome, the elevation changes make it a great experince. It was like a roller coaster. The jump was definitely interesting and I was wayy to big of a wuss to brake after it, and it was probably a good idea I didn't try. I brought it home in one piece minus an axle bearing (drag bearings).

See you at the next one. I will come say hi StanIrocZ. I was there with the guys in the 2 blue z06's.

I remember you, you had the red forumla that looked like you should be at the drag strip. I heard of one of your spin outs. I'll look forward to seeing you in July.

I'm shopping for some used road race slicks and a cheap set of wheels. I'm starting to road race (been to 2 so far) and it is just silly to burn up my ~$700 street tires. I'm thinking of going to some races and just offering to buy used slicks from teams with good budgets. This might be a good idea for you as well. I was thinking of going to Waterford since it is close.

I see that you're from Detroit, where at exactly? I'm in Royal Oak.

[QUASAR]

I'm in Sterling Heights.

I'm running the NItto 555r-II Extreme Road Race tires in front, and 555r drag radials in back. I think i'm gonna get 2 more of the r-II's for the rear to make it a complete set. The drag radial has worked pretty well for me over the years on the street, and the r-II is just a stiff sidewal version of that. If they last me about 8-10k miles on the street with 3-4 road race events each year thats all i'm looking for.

I'm thinking about going to Mosport for a 2 day school/time trial thing next month. I have to get the lowering springs on and if funds are there switch to a better shock like a koni and maybe a set of swaybars.

I do plan on running the July Grattan race though. Can't wait to go back!!!!