GingerMan Raceway Project Will Answer Club Racers’ Need for Speed SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. GingerMan Raceway is adding a new section of track that will dramatically increase top speeds and offer multiple configurations, including a new counter-clockwise layout that could make double-race weekends very interesting indeed. GingerMan has always been known as a technical track with excellent runoff areas. But for the past few years, owner Daniel Schnitta has been considering various options to raise the bar for club racers. With plenty of land at his disposal, the obvious solution was to add a new section to the track. Schnitta a longtime racer himself worked closely with SCCA Formula Mazda Champion Juan “J.R.” Marchand to come up with the final plan, which now provides a true top-speed straightaway, combined with a high-speed sweeper section and elevation changes that significantly change the track’s character, depending on which direction they’re run. The changes are consistent with GingerMan’s focus to provide a welcoming, challenging and affordable venue for club racers at various skill levels, as well as track day enthusiasts. This stands in contrast to the current trend of creating tracks with “country club” exclusivity and pricey luxury accommodations. “We were the first modern road racing facility in the Midwest when we opened in 1995,” Schnitta said. “We’ve focused on providing an easy avenue into club racing, and are proud of our excellent safety record. We live with this track every day, and our experiences as racers really helped us understand what we wanted to accomplish. We are bringing something new, refreshing and exciting to the racing community.” The new section continues past the existing Turn 7, and rejoins at Turn 10, adding 1,770 feet for a total of 2.21 miles per lap. The two new, long-track configurations will reward boldness and skill, said Marchand, who is about to launch a racing school at the track. “This addition is really designed from a racer’s perspective,” Marchand said. “Dan has learned so much over the years, from being an owner and a racer and from keeping his ears open! I had a lot of ideas as well. Together, we made a lot of sketches and walked a lot of laps before Dan finalized the layout.” The shorter configuration remains challenging, and contributed to his successful assault on the Formula Mazda championship, Marchand said, but it lacked the element of speed. “The new layout is going to be very challenging and it will have that top speed that everyone wants,” he said. “If you want to go 140 mph, have at it!” Personally, Marchand can’t wait to run the long configuration counter-clockwise. “There will be a long straightaway downhill, with beautiful views. The sweeper will be like a long carousel on a straightaway you’ve got to figure out where you need to be on the track in order to get it right. I think counterclockwise will be just as good or better than clockwise.” With generous runoff areas, the track will remain friendly to both cars and motorcycles, Schnitta said. And with two configurations in each direction, race and track day promoters will be able to offer multiple challenges over the course of a weekend. For a sneak peek of the GingerMan Raceway expansion, check out ~http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPcmq9XZEgo~. Check ~http://www.gingermanraceway.com~ for updates and race schedules.