Grand Haven, Michigan Grand Prix??: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Feb. 7, 2012 8:44 a.m. xflowgolf New Reader

I had heard some rumors of this but apparently it's making progress. A proposal floated over the past few months cleared the official first hurdle with the city council. As of last night it's now advancing to a proper feasability study:

News clip: http://www.wwmt.com/articles/grand-1401433-haven-move.html

"GRAND HAVEN, Mich. – Race cars may soon be zooming through downtown Grand Haven.

On Monday night city leaders unanimously decided to move forward with a study that will examine the possibility of hosting a Grand Prix there."

Anybody involved with this on here?

I think this would be a blast! Grand Haven would be a great venue for a race through the downtown and with the harbor and waterfront as a backdrop, so long as they can keep the locals on board. Apparently it's the same promoter that ran the Grand Rapids Grand Prix back in '98/'99. I imagine it would be easier to pull off in a smaller city due to cost reasons versus the red tape to clear in a major city like the former Grand Rapids or Detroit events.
Feb. 7, 2012 9:41 a.m. Grtechguy SuperDork

I wish they'd bring it back to Grand Rapids. It was a great time, only problem was sucky parking. But that's Grand Rapids.

This poster from the West Michigan Grand Prix hangs in my office at work.
Feb. 7, 2012 10:54 a.m. Maroon92 SuperDork

Since they didn't specify, it looks like it's going to be IndyCar?

Doesn't compute...they already have a street circuit in Michigan at the Belle Isle circuit...

Why two in MI? Is open wheel really that big of a pull there? I say IndyCar should go back to MIS if anything... (I don't like oval, but at least it adds another facet to the championship...)
Feb. 7, 2012 11:00 a.m. Tom_Spangler Reader

Maroon92 wrote:

Since they didn't specify, it looks like it's going to be IndyCar?

Doesn't compute...they already have a street circuit in Michigan at the Belle Isle circuit...

Why two in MI? Is open wheel really that big of a pull there? I say IndyCar should go back to MIS if anything... (I don't like oval, but at least it adds another facet to the championship...)

Grand Haven is on the other side of the state and would probably pull folks from Chicago.
Feb. 7, 2012 11:30 a.m. oldsaw SuperDork

Maroon92 wrote:

Since they didn't specify, it looks like it's going to be IndyCar?

Doesn't compute...they already have a street circuit in Michigan at the Belle Isle circuit...

Why two in MI? Is open wheel really that big of a pull there? I say IndyCar should go back to MIS if anything... (I don't like oval, but at least it adds another facet to the championship...)

The article indicates a race in May. Aside from the planning and logistics problems to host an event in 5 months, IndyCar has a kinda big event already on the schedule.

Think more towards TransAm, a series that no one (apparently) wants to let die and keeps popping-up. Besides, there are a lot of old tube-frame GT cars around the Midwest that don't have many opportunities to play.
Feb. 7, 2012 12:08 p.m. xflowgolf New Reader

oldsaw wrote:

The article indicates a race in May. Aside from the planning and logistics problems to host an event in 5 months, IndyCar has a kinda big event already on the schedule.

They're proposing this for 2013... so a year and 5 months out.

oldsaw wrote:

Think more towards TransAm, a series that no one (apparently) wants to let die and keeps popping-up. Besides, there are a lot of old tube-frame GT cars around the Midwest that don't have many opportunities to play.

That's my understanding. In '98/'99 the Grand Rapids event was an SCCA Trans Am event. Not sure who else would play in 2013 but imagine similar sanctioned race cars comprising the majority of the race as opposed to IndyCar.
Feb. 7, 2012 12:34 p.m. oldsaw SuperDork

xflowgolf wrote:

oldsaw wrote:

The article indicates a race in May. Aside from the planning and logistics problems to host an event in 5 months, IndyCar has a kinda big event already on the schedule.

They're proposing this for 2013... so a year and 5 months out.

You may have more relevant info than what the article provided........
Feb. 7, 2012 2:38 p.m. thunderzy Reader

I vote yes!!1
Feb. 7, 2012 3:22 p.m. xflowgolf New Reader

oldsaw wrote:

You may have more relevant info than what the article provided........

ah... sorry, wasn't trying to be misleading. Google'd and had read a few different news sites and just picked a random one to link.
Feb. 7, 2012 4:06 p.m. Ranger50 Dork

I've driven downtown GH.. WTF are they going to race?!?!?!?!

I remember the first WMGP... I had free tickets via a contributing race sponsor. The city never gave it a chance and killed it.
Feb. 7, 2012 4:45 p.m. Grtechguy SuperDork

Ranger50 wrote:

I've driven downtown GH.. WTF are they going to race?!?!?!?!

I remember the first WMGP... I had free tickets via a contributing race sponsor. The city never gave it a chance and killed it.

I imagine down N&S Harbor drive to howard to 5th and back would be a decent loop.