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:83500Are there any places to do a track day in the Indiana area? Im in Fort Wayne to be exact. If not, how far do I have to go to find one?:83500
Track Day??
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Putnam is about 40 minutes west of Indy and the track has a pretty cool layout. Our organization (CCS) hasn't raced there in a number of years so I couldn't tell you of current conditions there.
Gingerman is about an hour or so into Michigan from the Indiana border about 10 miles from Lake Michigan. It's also a fun layout that is pretty safe like Putnam. The main issue with both those tracks is the wall along hot pit lane as you exit the last turn doesn't leave alot of run off area, but it shouldn't be a problem.
Gratten is an older facility with a unique layout and is located in the Grand Rapids central portion of the state in Michigan as well. The track surface has been very questionable in the past, but the track design is very challenging and can actually be run in either direction. This track has quite a bit of elevation change and the designer tried to incorporate every type of situation he could into the design.
Blackhawk Farms is one of my favorite tracks and it's located in the same county as I am near Rockford Illinois, close to the Wisconsin border. This track was paved a few years ago and is fun to ride at speed. There are some safety concerns in some areas with limited run-off area, but most who race here like it quite a bit.
Road America is located about 45 minutes North of Milwaukee Wisconsin and is the largest road racing course in the USA at 4 miles long. This track is not very technical, but it's one of the fastest, and has 3 areas that you can top your bike out. The facility is beautiful and park-like and has been making on going improvements over the last several years. If you feel like scaring the crap out of yourself buzzing thru the woods at 170 mph this is the perfect place to do it!
Gateway is located in St. Louis and is a Nascar oval that has a road course version they can run. The road course is kind of fun, but there are serious safety concerns at that place with concrete walls in bad locations. I have seen people hit the walls before, not a pretty picture! But if it were available to you at a steal I would probably go and just be very careful.
Hope this helps, have fun!
Gingerman is about an hour or so into Michigan from the Indiana border about 10 miles from Lake Michigan. It's also a fun layout that is pretty safe like Putnam. The main issue with both those tracks is the wall along hot pit lane as you exit the last turn doesn't leave alot of run off area, but it shouldn't be a problem.
Gratten is an older facility with a unique layout and is located in the Grand Rapids central portion of the state in Michigan as well. The track surface has been very questionable in the past, but the track design is very challenging and can actually be run in either direction. This track has quite a bit of elevation change and the designer tried to incorporate every type of situation he could into the design.
Blackhawk Farms is one of my favorite tracks and it's located in the same county as I am near Rockford Illinois, close to the Wisconsin border. This track was paved a few years ago and is fun to ride at speed. There are some safety concerns in some areas with limited run-off area, but most who race here like it quite a bit.
Road America is located about 45 minutes North of Milwaukee Wisconsin and is the largest road racing course in the USA at 4 miles long. This track is not very technical, but it's one of the fastest, and has 3 areas that you can top your bike out. The facility is beautiful and park-like and has been making on going improvements over the last several years. If you feel like scaring the crap out of yourself buzzing thru the woods at 170 mph this is the perfect place to do it!
Gateway is located in St. Louis and is a Nascar oval that has a road course version they can run. The road course is kind of fun, but there are serious safety concerns at that place with concrete walls in bad locations. I have seen people hit the walls before, not a pretty picture! But if it were available to you at a steal I would probably go and just be very careful.
Hope this helps, have fun!
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871 Posts
He's the one I'm going to on Saturday 8/20
www.sportbiketracktime.com is having a trackday, weekend really, at Gingerman Raceway in South Haven Michigan. It's about 3 hours from Fort Wayne, on the west coast. They are 8/19-21. You can do one day or multiple days.
What do you need? A bike. To sign up. Money, $30 to become a member of STT, $145 for Saturday. You can rent the leathers for $75.
This is from their site and it shows what you need:
Rider Gear Requirements (No, shorts and flip flops won't cut it....)
1) Damage free DOT or SNELL full-face helmet with face shield.
2) Riding boots that fully cover the ankle.
3) Gauntlet style gloves with full wrist coverage.
4) One or two piece leathers. Two piece leather suits must zip together for intermediate or advanced groups. Ballistic nylon suits such as Joe Rocket, AeroStitch etc. are acceptable in the Novice and Intermediate Group only provided they are either one piece or zip together with at least 50% zipper contact with reinforced and padded shoulders, elbows, hips, and knee areas. No chaps.
Bike Preparation (Also know as "101 uses for duct tape")
1) All bikes MUST pass technical inspection prior to admittance to the track. If your bike DOES NOT pass tech inspection, you will NOT receive a refund.
2) Tires and brakes must be in good condition. Tires should be at least 75% of new condition. Any tires that are bluing from excessive wear will be disallowed. Slicks are allowed in 85% plus condition. We will have on site tire service at each track day, so if your tires don't pass, you will have the opportunity to put on replacement tires to pass tech.
3) All glass, headlight, turn signals, and plastic lenses must be taped over or removed. Side mirrors must be removed for the advanced group and at least taped over for all other groups.
4) We recommend, but do not require removal of center stands. No bikes with center stands will be allowed in the Advanced/Racer Group due to the ground clearance issue.
5) All machines must have an operational handlebar mounted kill switch/button and self-closing throttle in good working condition.
6) Advanced and Intermediate group riders MUST use water or water wetter in place of coolant at all events.
7) All valve stems must have caps.
8) Wheel balance weights must be well-secured.
9) License plates must have bolts taped or be removed.
10) No Fur Allowed.
www.sportbiketracktime.com is having a trackday, weekend really, at Gingerman Raceway in South Haven Michigan. It's about 3 hours from Fort Wayne, on the west coast. They are 8/19-21. You can do one day or multiple days.
What do you need? A bike. To sign up. Money, $30 to become a member of STT, $145 for Saturday. You can rent the leathers for $75.
This is from their site and it shows what you need:
Rider Gear Requirements (No, shorts and flip flops won't cut it....)
1) Damage free DOT or SNELL full-face helmet with face shield.
2) Riding boots that fully cover the ankle.
3) Gauntlet style gloves with full wrist coverage.
4) One or two piece leathers. Two piece leather suits must zip together for intermediate or advanced groups. Ballistic nylon suits such as Joe Rocket, AeroStitch etc. are acceptable in the Novice and Intermediate Group only provided they are either one piece or zip together with at least 50% zipper contact with reinforced and padded shoulders, elbows, hips, and knee areas. No chaps.
Bike Preparation (Also know as "101 uses for duct tape")
1) All bikes MUST pass technical inspection prior to admittance to the track. If your bike DOES NOT pass tech inspection, you will NOT receive a refund.
2) Tires and brakes must be in good condition. Tires should be at least 75% of new condition. Any tires that are bluing from excessive wear will be disallowed. Slicks are allowed in 85% plus condition. We will have on site tire service at each track day, so if your tires don't pass, you will have the opportunity to put on replacement tires to pass tech.
3) All glass, headlight, turn signals, and plastic lenses must be taped over or removed. Side mirrors must be removed for the advanced group and at least taped over for all other groups.
4) We recommend, but do not require removal of center stands. No bikes with center stands will be allowed in the Advanced/Racer Group due to the ground clearance issue.
5) All machines must have an operational handlebar mounted kill switch/button and self-closing throttle in good working condition.
6) Advanced and Intermediate group riders MUST use water or water wetter in place of coolant at all events.
7) All valve stems must have caps.
8) Wheel balance weights must be well-secured.
9) License plates must have bolts taped or be removed.
10) No Fur Allowed.
Look around on google and do a few searches. There are some descent sites with all the tracks. I just don't have any book marked. Mid-America is another track not far from you. I have done no track days yet, but soon. I have heard Mid-America can be difficult with the transitions from different racing surfaces. There are actually a lot of tracks within a easy days drive.
Look around at the different clubs. Sportbike Track Time and NESBA are just two of many.
Good Luck.
Look around at the different clubs. Sportbike Track Time and NESBA are just two of many.
Good Luck.
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