Looking Ahead: ’23 GingerMan Time Trials National Tour
Looking Ahead: ’23 GingerMan Time Trials National Tour
Racetracks are all the same, right? There are corners and straights, tire walls and fences, an entry gate, a paddock, and places to watch colorful cars zip by. But those who’ve been around motorsports for a bit know each racing circuit is actually unique.
One distinctive destination is GingerMan Raceway found in the lakeside resort town of South Haven, MI. It’s a comfy slice of awesome where the Tire Rack SCCA® Time Trials National Tour at GingerMan Raceway Powered by Hagerty (TTNT) will visit once again July 21-23, 2023.
In fact, GingerMan is such a cool place that SCCA wants to give as many fans of #funwithcars the chance to come out and play there with friends. That’s why a daytime Track Night in America Driven by Tire Rack (TNiA) will also take place at the venue Saturday, July 22, and is open to track newbies and advanced drivers alike.
Click the button below to find more information about both the TTNT and TNiA events going on at GingerMan. Then reserve your seat for the party before this opportunity passes you by.
On the Go at GingerMan
GingerMan Raceway’s 2.14-mile, 11-turn course simulates a country road while maximizing driver and vehicle safety. There are short sprints and high-speed straights, tight apexes and sweeping corners, light and heavy braking, and lively elevation change as the circuit curls through rolling landscape. What results is a circuit perfectly suited for drivers of any ability to learn the ropes or push thresholds.
Because the course is such a favorite amongst enthusiasts, TTNT has made several visits to the venue over the years. As such, there’s a record book filled with fast laps for the various TTNT car classes. Currently, the fastest TTNT lap at GingerMan is a 1:31.545 laid down back in 2021 by Unlimited 1 driver Grant Walker in a Mazda Miata.
The current record holder in Max 1 is Shilun Wu, who managed a lap of 1:36.146 in a Ford Mustang. Then there’s Bart Surowka, who drove a Porsche 911 around the track in 1:38.116 to set the current Tuner 1 record. And let’s not forget Michael Kubiak, owner of the Sport 2 record after posting a lap of 1:39.788 in a Chevrolet Corvette.
If you need some convincing of how thrilling GingerMan can be, just check out the in-car video below.
Running TTNT at GingerMan
A TrackSprint is not possible at this event, but there will be loads of TrackAttack sessions on the full GingerMan course Saturday and Sunday. On-track action begins Saturday at 8:30 a.m. local time with two 20-minute practice sessions for all drivers.
Saturday afternoon is when things get real and lap times count as challengers head back out on course for two more 20-minute TrackAttack sessions. Then to close the day, it’s bench racing time during the Hagerty Social Dinner Party open to all participants.
Sunday is filled with time on track as a total of four TrackAttack sessions will be conducted for all drivers throughout the day. The best times from the two Saturday afternoon sessions, the first two sessions on Sunday, and the final two sessions on Sunday will then be combined to determine finishing order. The top three in each class are then lauded during the KONI Podium Celebration.
Click the button below for a closer look at the GingerMan TTNT schedule.
Photo by Geoffrey Bolte
