Thread: FAQ for Grattan 2007

Q. What is it?

A. Three fun-filled days of track time at Grattan Raceway in Belding, Michigan where you get to hang out with other MotorcycleAddicts.org members.

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Q. When is it?

A. June 25th, 26th & 27th, 2007
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Q. Where is it?

A. Grattan Raceway, Belding Michigan. Grattan Raceway

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Q. How much does it cost? / How do I sign up?

The track raised the price this year and we are now providing an event T-Shirt and cool "all area" passes for all paid entries.
A. Pricing for the event is as follows:

Total Cost: 160.00 per day per rider.

Deposit Required: 80.00 for one day, 160.00 for two days and 240.00 for all three.

Sign Up Procedure:

Two steps are required before you are signed up for this event:

Step 1:

A deposit (see above) must be sent to the following address:

Grattan Raceway Park
ATT: MotorcycleAddicts.org Days
P.O. Box 413
Belding, Michigan 48809

Checks must be made payable to: Grattan Raceway and you should write MotorcycleAddicts.org on the check memo.

You must include a note that has both your “real” name and your .org handle. This is very important, so make certain you include this information.

Step 2:

Send me an e-mail with the following information to: abtech@motorcycleaddicts.org :

1: Your real and screen name
2: The number of days you have paid for
3: The amount and date of your check
4: UPDATE: The size of T-Shirt you want

NOTE: Do not send me a PM and call it a day. I need an e-mail to the above address to handle your entry!

The balance will be due at the gate when you arrive, and the track can handle cash or checks (at this point plastic is a real problem, so please bring cash or check).

You are not signed up until both of these steps are complete. I will e-mail you back with an acknowledgement once I have confirmed receipt of the check from the track.

Also, Garages will be available for the event. They are first come/first served and as anyone who was at past Days@Grattan knows, each garage can comfortably accommodate 3 to 4 bikes, so get any sharing setup before you decide.

You must include payment for a garage with your deposit, but REMEMBER to write + Garage on the check and include that information in the e-mail. Garages are $100.00 each for all three days and must be paid in full with your deposit to secure your reservation.

The final cutoff for refunds will be May 1st, 2007. After that date your deposit will be forfeited if you can’t make it (although in the past some people were able to “sell” their deposit to late comers after the cutoff).

UPDATED INFORMATION: We need at least 25 entries no later than March 15th to reserve the dates. I will begin a list of entries in another thread sometime prior to January 31st.

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Q. What do I have to do to my bike?

A. We are not requiring any safety wiring for the track days, BUT everyone's drain plug will be inspected as well as the filter checked for tightness. If there is even a hint of leakage, you will have to take care of this by either safety wiring the drain plug, replacing the drain plug (these tend to strip out over time) or other appropriate means.

B. Antifreeze is not an option. Your cooling system must be flushed thoroughly and filled with distilled water or distilled water/water wetter. NO exceptions will be made to this rule!

C. All lights must be disconnected (or fuses pulled) and lenses taped.

D. Passenger pegs need to be removed or zip-tied.

E. License plates must be removed.

F. Tires must be new or in near new condition (less than 25% wear front and rear).

G: Mirrors must be removed.

H: We are not allowing kickstands this year except in the street group. If this presents a hardship for you, we will make Baxley stands available for a few riders if you contact me at the above e-mail address.

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Q. What type of safety gear is required?

I am relaxing the "SNELL ONLY" rule again this year.

Due to popular demand, any helmet that meets all of the basic requirements (age, condition etc.) and is certified by Snell, or meets the ECE 22.05 standards (with current BSI or equivalent sticker) will be allowed for use at this event.

A. Full Face Snell/ECE 22.05 approved helmet no older than 5 years with good shield in excellent (non crashed) condition. NOTE: This means any major scratch indicative of helmet to asphalt contact will render that helmet useless for this event. All helmets will be thoroughly inspected for qualifying certification, “Born on” date and condition.
B. One or two piece leather suit, or reinforced leather jacket and pants that zip together. (Aerostich suits are okay as long as you stay in the "Street Riders" group.) Leather or synthetic leather boots at least 8" tall. Gauntlet style leather gloves that fit over the wrist portion of the sleeve of your suit or jacket. I recommend a back protector as well.

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Q. What are Grattan's rules?

A. The first rule that is a bummer of sorts is "NO Pets". If you are planning on bringing your dog, you may want to reconsider. This rule is for very good reasons including health department regulations, as most spectators sit on the same grass that the dogs use for the bathroom.

No race engines before 9:00 AM or after 6:00 PM

No motor vehicles of any kind on the track except when the track is green. If you want to rollerblade, or bicycle after hours, no problem, but you need a helmet and pads for rollerblading, so keep this in mind.

No unsupervised kids. The kids have a great time at Grattan, but due to the nature of the facility, they must be under a parent or guardian's control at all times.

No kids on any type of motorized vehicles anywhere on the premises.

If you are under 18 and want to ride on track, then we will need a waiver signed by your parent or guardian before being allowed on the track.

Speed limit everywhere except the racing surface is 10 MPH. This rule will be enforced without exception. Anyone violating this rule will be asked to leave the event.

No unsupervised campfires and anyone wanting to have a campfire must inform the track management prior to "light up".

Everyone must sign the track waiver.

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Q. What facilities are available at the track?/Can we stay at the track?

A. You are welcome to camp at the track. There are bathrooms/showers and an RV dump/fill station. There is a decent motel located less than 10 minutes from the track. Information can be found at Candlestone. Rooms fill up fast during the summer (this hotel is on a golf course, and they sponsor tournaments), so advance reservations are recommended. Grand Rapids is only 20 minutes away, and has over 75 hotels and motels if you are looking for something a bit more cosmopolitan. The track has special rates for some of these hotels, so ask when you call about reservations and mention "Grattan Raceway".

Fast guys and gals have been known to stay at the Radisson in Grand Rapids (888-201-1718 US Toll Free) , about 25 minutes from the track. If you want to stay at the Radisson, be sure to ask for the “Grattan Raceway” special rate!

Lunch will be served every day at the event at no charge for all riders. Lunch is available for all guests as well for $5.00 each. If you are bringing guests and they would like to have lunch at the track, please let me know in your e-mail when you make the deposit. The payment for guest/family lunch can be made at the track.

A dinner for all riders and their guests will be held on the second evening. Plan on a lot of fun and the “dreaded” awards ceremony. Again, guests are not a problem, but please let me know if you will have guests for the dinner and I will work out any additional costs based on the expected turnout.

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Q. What are the basic "rules of the road"?

A. Since racebikes don't have rear view mirrors, and turning around to look behind you is never a good idea at speed, the basic "rules of the road" are as follows:

The rider in front ALWAYS has the right of way without exception.

It is the passing riders responsibility (and theirs alone) to make their way safely past another rider.

It is the leading riders responsibility to not make sudden, abrupt or unexpected changes in their line through any corner (barring an unforeseen on track obstacle, crash in front of them etc.).

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Q. Are friends/family allowed to attend?

A. Yes, your friends/family can attend at no charge, as long as they sign the track waiver.

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Q. Will awards be given out?

A. Yes! Award categories are TBD, and will be presented at the dinner on the second evening.

Hells yeah....just one more reason to dread the slow tick of the clock. I'll be planning on bringing Mrs. TornadoB8. If she backs out this year after I bought her ALL THE GEAR for the two-up sessions I'm calling a lawyer.