While I have never been to Gingerman, I will share my opinion on Grattan. My brother and I made the trip from WV to Grattan last summer for an STT LED. I had asked STT Track Coach Mike K. about the track prior to our visit. He smiled and said, "Let's say it has character!" He recommended it and we signed on. It is a fun track with some intresting features. (nice front straight, an off-camber turn, jump hump, the esses and the bowl) The character is in the form of some rough, patched sections. I would say about 20% of it is rough, mainly between turns 6 and 10. Nevertheless, we really enjoyed the track since were raised in south-eastern Ohio surrounded by curvy and occasionally rough roads...a motorcyclist's dreamland! (Rt. 26, 145, 800 and the famous Triple Nickel, 555) A real treat was the opportunity to run it backwards after lunch. That is essentially getting two tracks in one day. My brother and I preferred it backwards . It seemed to lessen the issue of the rough sections and the front straight is a blast when it drops out from under you in a blind right-hander. :shock: I have only ridden Mid-Ohio, Barber, Beaver Run and Grattan, but Grattan, while not up to the standard of Barber or Mid-O, is certainly an enjoyable track. I don't believe that it is a standard practice to run backwards but it is more likely to happen at an LED from what I have been told. Others will have that info. I don't know of your experience level, but if your are an Intermediate or Advanced rider you will have a great day at Grattan. Two edits---Man, could I use a speel cheker!
if it's your first track day, Gingerman. it's flat and has excellent sight lines. that said, I prefer Grattan, for the many of the reasons mentioned above. If it had a complete repave, OMG!!! bu, that's not likely to happen; still it's fun and challenging. Cheers, Lance
Grattan rocks compared to Gingerman. Just about very corner is either blind, off camber, has a decreasing radius or a combination of each. The surface is a bit beat compared to Gingerman but you'll learn some things there that you won't anywhere else. Gingerman is just a giant go cart track, which can be fun, but I prefer Grattan. The elevation changes are wicked too.
I haven't rode Gingerman yet, but I will be very soon. Grattan now that track is VERY technical and has ALOT of characther. It's difficult, but it can be VERY fun and it teaches you alot of stuff that makes you a better rider.
I haven't rode Gingerman yet, but I will be very soon. Grattan now that track is VERY technical and has ALOT of characther. It's difficult, but it can be VERY fun and it teaches you alot of stuff that makes you a better rider.
+1 Grattan, hands down. I would only go to Gingerman if there are no other track days to pick from. YMMV
GingerMan seems pretty straight forward at first, but get more complicated as you try to go faster. Grattan Backwards Rocks!
Gingerman or Grattan? Yes! Gingerman is better. Grattan is better. If you could date more than one hottie without either one getting mad at you for seeing the other, would you? And would you be comparing the two, or would you just be thanking your lucky stars that you had both?
:lol: Great analogy K3. You speak da trut mon. Keeping in mind that you're not on the track all the time, Gingerman wins hands down in the area of amenities. 1. You (and/or guests) may come and go at will without waiting to cross the track. 2. The bathroom/showers at Grattan (which there's only 1 near the track) has only recently been upgraded from third world country standards to back road gas station standards. 3. Not only can you buy food and drinks at G-man, the food's pretty good. Hot coffee in the morning is nice when you camp at the track.
I like Grattan a lot more than Gingerman. The combination of corners as stated earlier....blind, elevation changes, and the esses(my favorite part). The surface could be better, but I don't like the surface at Gingerman either with the gaps in the pavement. Those have unsettled me a few times.
Speaking of Gingerman. Is there camping at that track too?? I was also curious if there are any good campgrounds around there....Just in case I want a camp fire afterwards.(My Dad's most likely coming again....It's weird having a parent that likes watching, but then again he's the one that gave me stitches while riding me on a three wheeler as a kid. It was still fun. :x ) Anyways, is this track clockwise as well. Thanks again. I'm just asking my usual new track questions.
Bunny, There are very god camping facilities at Gingerman. their showers are clean, and you can get coffee at the concession stand, in the am, if that's your thing. G-man also has power outlets that you can rent for the weekend, if you want to power tire warmers, fans,lights or what ever. Have fun next weekend! Lance