Chris Haldane leads Stevie Patterson (15), Thomas Wilson (691) and other riders in a WERA sprint race at Grattan Raceway in July of 1991. (Larry Lawrence photo)
Dutchman Racing’s Chris Haldane came to Grattan Raceway in July of 1991 to race Suzuki contingency races, the Michigan Grand Prix and a special Dean Durkalski Memorial Endurance Race, honoring a WERA racer who was struck and killed by a drunk driver in a street accident.
It was Haldane’s first time on the twisty and challenging Grattan course, a track much like Willow Springs, Sears Point or Loudon, which favored a number of local specialists.
Haldane turned in an excellent ride, taking third in the Michigan Grand Prix behind the King of Grattan Fritz Kling and Thomas Wilson, who would go on to become a factory Superbike rider for Harley-Davidson.
This photo is Haldane leading one of the local specialists Stevie Patterson (15), Thomas Wilson (691) and several other competitors in the Michigan Grand Prix.
Not many people know this, but Haldane was the first racer to test the famous Britten racing motorcycle, built by fellow New Zealander John Britten. The maiden Britten test didn’t go well. Something broke on the front end of the bike, causing Haldane to crash, leaving him injured. After racing here in America, Haldane went on to be multi-time New Zealand Superbike champion.
Rider Files 
Great shot Larry.
Lots of stuff from Grattan lately. I have never been there, is it a good spectator track?
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Joel
Grattan is a great spectator track. I would love to see an AMA Superbike event there. They’d have to do safety improvements and bring in temporary seating, restrooms, food vendors, etc., but man what a track. Elevation, jumps, fast turns, bowl turns, esses, you name it.
LL
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