A Great Visit To Gingerman
By Paul Szedziewski

About a dozen Badger Bimmers ventured out on Father’s Day and found their way to South Haven, Michigan for the Driver’s Education day at Gingerman Raceway. When the track first opened, Badger Bimmers were some of the first to explore and enjoy this 1.88 mile road course in southwestern Michigan. In those days, the track looked like it was built in sand dunes, complete with blowing sand, and the rumble strips at the apexes and track outs consisted of formwork waiting for the concrete to be poured the following week.

2003 brings us grassy area, real rumble stips, extended pavement at track out, and REAL down south Gumbo. The attending club members joined up with another dozen or so drivers and the CGI Motorsports crew who ran the event. CGI was a group new to most of the members who traveled east. Phil Morenda and his crew organized and ran the event, keeping the run groups on time and provided instructors as needed. John Vassos, the service writer for Acura of Brookfield was also at the track and was available to assist as an instructor or help out with car related issues.

The response from those attending was greatly positive. And, even though there were a few episodes of agricultural driving, no one damaged their cars. A few of our members had a chance to bring their convertibles to the track to enjoy. More then enough track time was available and some folks even packed up early for the ride back to Wisconsin, skipping the last session.

Next time you bump into them, ask folks like Sarah Erdmann, John Lofgren, Alex Blok, Charles High, John Smith or Bob Prellwitz about their experiences, CGI even accommodated a ‘true first timer,’ Nic Gorgan who one week later was planning a return to Gingerman and another CGI driving day in the near future. Rounding out the group of participants was David Schnitzer and Jeff Joy as well as this writer.

The downside: you have to go thru Chicago! Sad but true. Well, the trip back on Monday night was quick paced 3-1/2 hours and allowed me to roll into Milwaukee before the sun set. I avoided the one lane Skyway on the way back. But, if reports are true, next year you will be able to AVOID Chicago and breeze over to South Haven via Muskegon on the newly promised HIGH SPEES FERRY which is planned to leave out of Bay View. So watch the calendar for next year’s events. My hope and plant is to schedule another CGI Motorsports event at Gingerman in 2004 AND also book the ferry for the group.

Now the Gumbo. Chicken, sausage and veggies including okra all swimming in a fine sauce of spices and jus, enjoyed at a picnic table, overlooking a pond sharing lively conversation with other participants. We even got to watch an un-named club officer, known to be vegetarian, not only enjoying his gumbo but also a significant slab of BBQ ribs with no shame. A sight to be seen. Some of the best track food around!!!

Also, South Haven is a fine port, similar to Door County but without all the congestion. So, you can take the family to enjoy the area while you are motoring around the track.

See you there next summer.


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