The Sweet Smell

by Steve Toth

While supporting a client and SCCA SOWDIV member/racer Bobby Archer, I recently had the opportunity to visit a great track in western Michigan. GingerMan Raceway is located in South Haven, Michigan just two hours from Chicago, three hours from Detroit, two hours from Lansing and four hours from Indianapolis (and 45 miles from Kalamazoo). Surrounded by the rural countryside and forests of western Michigan, GingerMan Raceway is only minutes away from the resort communities of South Haven and Saugatuck.

Our friend, and Archer's Motorsports Manager Keith Moody, took the big black trailer on the long road trip to Michigan in support of the Viper Days racing program. I flew into Kalamazoo Airport on Thursday to meet him expecting to catch a cab to the track as it's only 45 miles from the airport. It turns out that the only way to get there is to use a car service at $75 each way. Hello rental car! In retrospect, that was the best choice, but more on that later.

Upon my arrival in South Haven, I decided to stop at the first fast food joint I came across to get some lunch. As I was standing in line to order, I noticed that the guy next to me was wearing a GingerMan t-shirt. I asked him if he was racing this weekend and he said no, he owns the place. He introduced himself as Dan Schnitta and began to extol the virtues of his track. "Great visibility for the fans, modern race facility, safety-safety-safety, nice staff, no trees to run into, big new garage spaces available…"

He was not kidding! What a nice place! The 11-turn, 1.88 mile road course has huge gravel run-off areas at the end of the long straights and it's 36 ft. wide. The visibility from the back spectator area offers an unobstructed view of the entire track. Although spectator seating is minimal, the grassy knoll would be a great place a lawn chair and a cooler full of your favorite libations.

Thursday was an interesting day that included me shooting 2 rolls of film at the track featuring a variety of subjects, as it was open track day at GingerMan. There was an ex-IMSA something-or-other with a big block Chevy power plant, a sweet 1970 914 with a 3.2 Carrera motor stuffed in between the fenders and a guy on a 3.5h.p. Briggs and Stratton powered bar stool pit vehicle, called the Bar-Fly.

Friday brought out some great Vipers and one hell-of-a storm. After getting soaked and almost blown into Lake Michigan, it was time to dry the track. Over the loud speaker system came the call for tow vehicles and rental cars. GUESS WHAT, I HAVE ONE OF THOSE! I got to turn 12 laps in my rented Dodge Stratus, chasing some guy in a Mustang. Although I never caught him, I did manage to stay on the pavement (hard for the members of the GoNads race team to believe, I know) and have a really good time.

As I got out of the Silver Bullet, as I so aptly christened it, I was greeted by the sweet smell of hot rental car brakes and the cheers of my imaginary fans. And as those of you who often rent cars know, that is a distinct and smile-broadening aroma.

If you ever have the opportunity to visit GingerMan, look for Dan. He will be happy to give you the tour and the pitch, you know, "The safest track in North America."

Copyright Steve Toth; all rights reserved.