Yesterday's open-riding session at Grattan Raceway in Grattan Township ended in tragedy when a 39-year-old man from DeWitt was killed in a motorcycle crash, authorities said. Deputies were called to the track at about 3:15 p.m., and the rider was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials said he had been wearing a helmet and other protective gear at the time of the crash.
According to the FOX 2 Detroit report, the Kent County Sheriff's Office responded to the incident and confirmed the rider, identified only as a 39-year-old DeWitt man, died at Grattan Raceway. The sheriff's office said it is investigating the circumstances of the crash and had not released further details as of yesterday.
About the Track
Grattan Raceway, located at 7201 Lessiter Road NE in Belding, operates a two-mile road course along with separate motocross facilities, according to the Grattan Raceway website. The venue regularly hosts SCCA events, club races and open-track days that attract riders from across West Michigan.
Investigation and Safety
The Kent County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation into the single-vehicle crash, officials told FOX 2 Detroit. Track-day organizers typically require helmets, safety gear and pre-run briefings for participants, guidelines reflected on event listings such as Track Night in America's Grattan page. Authorities had not said by late Sunday whether equipment, speed or any other factor played a role in the crash.
