2007 Michigan GS500 Meet & Group Ride

[darb85]

28th that is

[vantec6040]

Cool, okay, 28th is still a go for me.  Has anyone ever been around the Grattan area? Any good spots to meet?

Seeing as how we are all kind of coming from different directions, should we meet at Grattan Raceway then go riding? Or meet at a agreed location, then take a long route around and then back to the Raceway?

The schedule at Grattan Raceway doesn't specify a time, simply states "April 27-28-29 . . . . . Audi Quattro Car Club".  So hopefully it will kind of be a whole day thing, and not limit our time frame.

Okay, so whos going to be able to make it? SO far its:

darb85
vantec6040 (with maybe 2 others max)
denman
allone( do you have the weekend of the 28th off?)

[manofthefield]

I should be able to go so...


darb85
vantec6040 (with maybe 2 others max)
denman
allone( do you have the weekend of the 28th off?)
manofthefield

[allone]

the week end of the 28, i have to work

[vantec6040]

the week end of the 28, i have to work

Trying to plan these are difficult!  lol

[manofthefield]

Here's some more info on what's happening at Grattan 4/28:  Audi Club Drivers school... looks like school/trackdays for the Audi club
http://www.audiclubmi.org/events/event_info/grattan/packet_content.htm

[RedShift]

the week end of the 28, i have to work

Trying to plan these are difficult!  lol

Tell me about it.     I've been quiet for the past two weeks trying to get a handle on how the end of April will consume my time.  I'm busy the weekend before, out of town 'til Thursday, and yet feel I should get out there on April 28th and explore Grattan raceway with you folks. I hope my family will still love me.   

I'm probably 70% with you folks unless something happens.  Unless someone knows the area and can recommend a better place, I suggest we meet at the Raceway -- one benefit of attending an Audi race day is that there will be very few motorcycles.  Meeting there gives us the flexibility to be entertained with the activities while the late arrivals make their way to the site.  Should be easy to spot a bunch of guys carrying helmets and wearing Motorcycle gear.   

We should take in the event, the track, ask questions about motocycle events, and gather information.  We can chat, have lunch, then a ride around the area, then head home.  That's my vision -- anyone else have ideas??

Roy...

PS. Hey, thanks for the link ManOfTheField.  The Schedule for Drivers School shows the cars take the track starting 11:30.  Should work out quite well to get bored after lunch and go ridin'. 

[RedShift]

Hate to give anyone more ideas, but just in case you've reviewed the Grattan schedule and spied Track Days liberally distributed. I found some information.

Seems these days are organized by SportBike Track Time.  They seem to host events all over the place, Grattan included. If the idea of running your GS500 on a track ever interested you, explore this link.  That information, plus whatever we may learn on April 28th may push you to give this a go.

(Come on -- who among us doesn't at least mildly entertained the idea of getting on a track?)

[denman]

im not, but my friend runs his zx6 there on track days,this coming sat is a track day.

[manofthefield]

I hope they have a plow at the track for this saturday's trackday

[RedShift]

   Yeah, I'd be really pissed if mother nature spoiled my day on the track.  Let's hope it melts as fast as it accumulates -- I'm sick of 26°F temperatures and that white stuff.

[vantec6040]

(Come on -- who among us doesn't at least mildly entertained the idea of getting on a track?)

I actually have been really wanting to get some track-time . . . but the more I look at the requirements and the money thats needed (possible damage, transport, tires . . .) the more I kind of shy away. Especially considering my budget.

"All glass, headlight, turn signals, and plastic lenses must be taped over or removed." - thats at least a 1 day job for my incompetent hands.

"NO AUTOMOTIVE ETHYL GLYCOL BASED COOLANTS ARE ALLOWED." ( I dont even know how much coolant I have, let alone what kind lol)

I'll be sure to stand in the crowd cheering you on though RedShift . . . lol 

But yeah, the 28th is getting closer and closer but the weather seems to be getting worse . . . maybe we should all meet on snowmobiles??

[RedShift]

I actually have been really wanting to get some track-time . . . but the more I look at the requirements and the money thats needed (possible damage, transport, tires . . .) the more I kind of shy away. Especially considering my budget.

Yeah, I hear your pain.  I would have to get a new front tyre and a different jacket/pants (leather or textile) that connect.  I'm thinking at least $400-$500 would need to be invested, that largely outweighs the $140 for the track time. I had other plans for that dough, and I tend to have expensive tastes.   

"All glass, headlight, turn signals, and plastic lenses must be taped over or removed." - thats at least a 1 day job for my incompetent hands.

"NO AUTOMOTIVE ETHYL GLYCOL BASED COOLANTS ARE ALLOWED." ( I dont even know how much coolant I have, let alone what kind lol)

Most everyone just tapes over their lights (et al).  Would take, what, 20 minutes, in a way so you can remove it again?   As far as coolant, our GS500's have that covered, right out of the box.

I'll be sure to stand in the crowd cheering you on though RedShift . . . lol 

You might be the only one.  I don't think my family would see the fun.  They don't get this Motorcycle interest I have.

But yeah, the 28th is getting closer and closer but the weather seems to be getting worse . . . maybe we should all meet on snowmobiles??

Well, at least you're not in the middle of it as our friend Darb85 (Brad). 

[denman]

i may have mised it but what time are we meeting.      i got my new tire today,im geting itchey to ride.

[RedShift]

Denman, I don't think we got to that decision yet.

I suggest that 10:00 at the Racetrack sounds right.  We're coming from all directions and some of us will have an hour or two of riding to get there.  No doubt it will start off as a cool ride (temperature-wise) -- best to let the sun come up and heat the way.  The group will likely to arrive at plus/minus 15-20 minutes from whatever time we set.  Gives us a good 45 minutes to talk and look around before the track action starts.

If anyone has other opinions, I'm open to other views.

_________________________________________________________________

Another point to consider is the route to take for a group ride.  Any of you folks who live closest to the track have any opinions on where to go?

[vantec6040]

10:00 sounds good, though depending on how much the weather warms up, I might suggest maybe 11:00 AM so its a little warmer when we leave.

7 am is freaking cold. 

[RedShift]

Looks like you have the farthest to travel.  I'm not adverse to an 11:00 meeting time.  Okay with everyone?

As to where, I haven't a clue -- never been there before.  As mentioned, I suspect we will be the only bikers attending an all-auto event -- at least the only GS500's.    

Should be easy to spot ourselves.  The first guy there should find a reasonably obvious place and make themselves conspicious.   

[vantec6040]

Oh, and that reminds me. Are we going to have to pay to enter the Raceway? I think I remember seeing something on their website about Grattan/Belding residents getting in free. But nothing about visitors.

Oh well, if we get locked out, i'll just give out my cell # before we leave and we can decide on a different path (maybe breaking & entering?)

[RedShift]

I'd pay up to the price of a movie, but if it's more then I'd wish those folks a nice day and be on my way.

We came to look around and not to participate. Would be a shame if we couldn't examine the raceway without paying a tribute, but I'm curious enough to pay for parking.  We'll have to play this by ear.  Cell Phone #'s would be a good idea, or perhaps hanging outside the gate for the rest of us is another option.

It might be worth a phone call to the track next week to find out.

[darb85]

Kill me! 28th just got shot to hell for me.  we have to plan another one for this year! I was really looking forward to this!

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