abtech

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 30th, July 1st & 2nd, 2008. (Correction!)
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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: 170.00 per day per rider.

Deposit Required: 85.00 for one day, 170.00 for two days and 255.00 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: 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 full 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, 2008. 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 April 15th to reserve the dates.
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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: Kickstands must be removed from all bikes. No exceptions.
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Q. What type of safety gear is required?


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.

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Now in stereo
AAA doesn't only refer to the Auto Club . . .
and Seamus is awesome

gt702

Finally, the first real sign of spring. Can't wait.

Thanks Abtech

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Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.
Albert Einstein

CBR929RE

sweet
I have to remember to put in for my vacation when I get to work today. I keep forgetting to do it.

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if you can't fix it with duct tape, you haven't used enough.

Jetbdude

Can't wait to see everyone again!!!!!

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#20

evl_twn

Dibs on a garage. Are you keeping track of that in this thread, or starting another?

NorthernRR

Right on.

Got my holidays booked I just have to get paid this week and the cheque will be in the mail.

EVL, still up for company in your garage? I'll pay this time... hahaha

Thanks again for all the hard work.

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See you at Indy

abtech

I'll start another, but only official entries (with money) count toward garage reservations. Follow the instructions and I'll let everyone know before they run out.

__________________

Now in stereo
AAA doesn't only refer to the Auto Club . . .
and Seamus is awesome

DEPO

Are the garages lockable? I heard a rumor that a couple of Redneck, Basic Smoking, Hill-Billies got in to one of them and hung a bike by its rafters.

Then they tried to blame it on some, intelligent, good-looking, Italian, metor-sexual, guy who is pure as the freshly fallen snow.

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Welcome to the Dance!

TornadoB8

I just wanted to put this out there.

I will most likely not attend this year's event as it conflicts with my racing plans. Jul 4-6 is CCS Road America and makes my trip north way too long and expensive to attend both. I've never been to Road America and plan on making all the CCS GP region events I can in pursuit of a championship this year. Have fun and wish me luck. I'll miss you guys, but don't exclude me from the trash talkin just because I'm not there.

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CCS#27
Dunlop, Vortex, Vesrah, Silkolene

SheepOfBlue

Bummer but good luck and take the podium Now if you can jsned a replacement that likes RCs and looks better in a stretch suit that is single and female I will forgive you

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A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way

Heavy-Dee

Moi?

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Epic Fail

ONEvcs

Ron, if you need a pit helper and you're anywhere near Texas, just give me a call... Good luck and try to apply everything you learned from me last year smoothly and consistently.
I don't know if I'll be able to make it this year to Grattan but I'm going to give it my best shot.

luvtolean

The place is crazy, it took me half a day just to get used to going so fast so often...make sure your bike is fully fueled before each session.

And good luck on the season!

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Someone needs to present the facts and the physics rather than just the rhetoric. Poor old Carmelo doesn't understand the physics of a motorcycle. - Jerry Burgess, on spec tires and changing engine rules

nhfirefighter13

So DJChyck is still coming to Grattan, right?

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http://www.kezerphotography.com

"If thou hast not a sword, sell thy cloak and buy one." -Luke 22:36

TornadoB8

I'll miss you too.

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CCS#27
Dunlop, Vortex, Vesrah, Silkolene

nhfirefighter13

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http://www.kezerphotography.com

"If thou hast not a sword, sell thy cloak and buy one." -Luke 22:36

abtech

Yeah, I want to show her all the new pics of the studio!

__________________

Now in stereo
AAA doesn't only refer to the Auto Club . . .
and Seamus is awesome

tigerblade

I raced at Road America once. Didn't get over 50 degrees all weekend. 'Course that was back in the days when we ran it in March. Before disc brakes and all that.

ltl is right; it's hard to learn the track when you only get a few laps per practice session. Best advice: keep it pinned.

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Seems that doomsday's come early this year

maxib

May God bless you and your family abtech, and the owners of Grattan, for this is an announcement that I was truly hoping to see.

There are no more knees to replace, and mrsmaxib gave me an enthusiastic go ahead okay...and she'll give free hardanger, cross stitch and maybe quilting lessons to any ladies that are spectating, or that aren't on the track during a session, as well as show her surgical scars at 50 cents per view! So count me in unless I do something at Spencer's as I did at Kevin's and Grattan!

One question about the sidestand... (You know I had to ask...stop laughing Dave!) Would zip tying the sidestand like the passenger pegs be okay in the street group?

abtech

Not really, as these have a nasty habit of becoming spears in a crash. I would recommend that you hook up with someone and give each other a hand getting the bike on and off a rear stand or just get a Baxley and forget about it (they are a great solution).

__________________

Now in stereo
AAA doesn't only refer to the Auto Club . . .
and Seamus is awesome

maxib

Not a problem!

Jetbdude

wow, is that the only excuse you could come up with? I would had let you pass me you know.




































Good luck with the race my friend! I think racing would be one of the only reason I would miss Grattan. I guess I'll just have to print this full size and hang it in my garage. http://www.motorcycleaddicts.org/att..._7980-1200.jpg

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#20