A Note from Otsego

In December of 2006 Osprey S.A. Ltd, a Private Equity firm based in Brighton MI acquired the Otsego Club. Since that time Osprey has invested more that $10,000,000 into the property and sought to expand the Club’s recreation platform beyond Golf and Ski. After a several year hiatus, snowmobile racing returned to the club in March of 2009. The snowmobile racers and spectators enjoyed the resort so much, that a non-winter form of powersports seemed like a logical progression.

Jason Biber, of Osprey a motocross geek contacted his good friend Patrick Grzebenski of Baja Acres. Pat was on site two days later. The first words out of his mouth were “HOLY $$$#”, the rest is history.

We welcome the motocross commuinity back to Otsego Club and Resort for the 2010 Otsego Great Lakes Motocross Grand Prix. This year we've added a dodge ball event for even more family fun - teams will compete until the last man stands! Furthermore we will have great racing on an extended track compared to last year, with more wood sections and different downhills/uphills. The entire Baja Acres and Otsego Club staff look forward to hosting you the weekend of October 2nd & 3rd!

Facility Description

Located just a half mile from downtown Gaylord, the Otsego Resort looks very inconspicuous from the road. Don’t let initial impression fool you, as beyond the humble entrance, a motocross paradise awaits. In fact, one look from the huge picture windows on the backside of the lodge and the first thought through your mind will likely be the same as Pat’s – “HOLY $$$#!” Your second will be “I wanna ride it.”

Spanning the Sturgeon River Valley you will see one of the largest elevation changes in Lower Michigan. Just below the lodge, right in the middle of what is informally referred to as “The Main Bowl” is where the start/finish line, as well as a half-mile of the track, will be located. Just off to the left you’ll spot the foundation for what will be one of the five largest half pipes in the United States, and temporary training camp for some of the 2010 Olympic snowboarding teams.

With a facility like no other, the Otsego and Baja Teams are providing a race like no other. A race that can be universally enjoyed by all disciplines of racers: Motocross, Harescramble, and enduro riders alike. Thus the saying, “The Grand Prix is more than just a race, it’s an experience.”

Track Description

Circulating throughout the 1100 acres that makes up the resort, the track will be approximately 3.5 miles in length. Patrick’s design concept is to emphasize the natural terrain already in place and doing “as little dirt work as possible”, thus creating a true “old school” racing experience.

Various sections of the track will incorporate features and obstacles from all the different forms of off-road racing. Options like woods vs. whoops or table tops vs. trees will give riders the freedom to choose which section best suits their style, or simply to try new lines with every lap they make.

One thing we guarantee, “you ain’t ever ridden a track in Michigan with hills like these”. Check out the teaser on Baja’s website and pause it at the 27th second. When Nick Wey is hanging a left to go up the hill, the top of the hill that you can see in this frame is about a third of the “Wey” up… Can you say “fifth gear – WIDE FREAKING OPEN” for 3/10s of a mile!!!!!!!!

Race Format

Racing will take place on both Saturday and Sunday in independently scored events. So take your pick as to which day works best, but we suggest both as the track will be changed substantially offering up new experiences from one day to the next.

Utilizing an old-school GP format, the race will be a single moto of 35 minutes. Race order is now finalized, and laid out to allow maximum recovery time for those looking to run two classes.

There will be a paced sighting lap before each race and a separate track for 50’s and small bike beginners.

Race Classes

This is a points paying GLMX race, so all the regular classes found at Baja plus the following exhibition classes will be running:

• Enduro – We didn’t want our friends from the woods to scare the MX guys with their headlights so we gave them a chance to shine (Get it???) independently. Rules: Must have a permanently attached head and tail light powered by the bikes engine. Sorry Lichtle and Lorenz, flashlights taped to the bars don’t count so don’t even think about it. Please note that all “Woodsies” are welcome to come out and have a shot at the moto guys in the standard classes as well, just don’t shine them in the eyes!!!
• Clydesdale Class (stolen from Mountain Biking World) – The rules are simple: you gotta be over 30 years old and you gotta roll in excess of 2 bills (200lbs) wearing only your birthday suit. Protests are welcome in this class and the scale will be prominently situated on the main lodge’s front deck. Rosanna (Pat’s lovely Bride) looks forward to judging and properly disciplining any “stickman” offenders who try to sign up. (Dave Bowman of Tech-Care fame says he is bulking up specifically for this class).

Spectator and Entertainment

While by no means is the entire track visible from any one point on the property (3 and a half miles is a lot!!!) we have made major considerations in our track design to provide optimal spectator viewing and accommodation. This should be an all time high for spectators as we are hoping to fire up a few of the ski lifts for the event (please be advised that we have run into a couple of legal snags on that front – stupid lawyers – but we are working on it). At a minimum there will be shuttles circulating people throughout the main spectating points.

One of the primary spectator areas is what we refer to as the “River Cabin”. Located just over a mile from the main lodge the River Cabin serves as “party central” during ski season. For the race, it will allow a look at several points of racing (including the chicane before the bridge) as well as live announcing, food and drink, two fire pits, and real restrooms.

• Otsego is offering a special package priced at $199 that includes the following:
• *Hotel room on Friday & Saturday Night (*standard room, taxes and fees not included, subject to availability.)
• Full access to the resort amenities (swimming Pool, work-out room, skate board features, etc.)
• Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday Morning

• RESERVE A ROOM FOR THURSDAY NIGHT ONLY $59!
• Call 989.732.5181 or Toll Free: 1-800-752-5510
  You can also email us at reservations@otsegoclub.com

• Camping all weekend is free. While tent camping will not be permitted, parking for RVs, Camper’s, and Trailers will be designated close to the resort (no utility hookups available). read the Rules section below!

• Friday, October 1st: 7am - 1am
• Saturday, October 2nd: 7am - 1am
• Sunday, October 3rd: 7am

• $10.00 per person per day ages 13 & up, all riders any age.
• $5.00 Non riders ages 4-12 per person each day.
• 3 & under free

• Located in the main lodge, hours as follows
• Saturday at 7am till 1 hour prior to your moto
• Sunday at 7am till 1 hour prior to your moto
• $30.00 per class

• -The Otsego Club is a facility Licensed by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. DO NOT BRING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OF ANY KIND FROM OFF SITE. Alcoholic beverages will be made available for purchase at several locations throughout the property in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan and the MLCC.
• -All Food and beverage that you bring in must be kept at your camper or your pit area.
• -No pit riding allowed outside of the pit area, first gear idle only in the pit area. Violators vehicles will be immediately impounded or the offending party removed from the property
• -No glass containers.
• -No engines started before 8:30am
• -Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian or have a notarized permission slip.
• -No jumping/passing in yellow flag areas.
• -No jumping/passing, wheels stay on ground in red cross flag areas.
• -Any violations in flag areas subject to disqualification or loss of position.
• -Must show proof of A.M.A. & GLMX membership.
• -All pets must be leashed.
• -Fires are not allowed on property other than in areas already designated by the Otsego Club and Resort.
• -QUIET TIME 10:00 pm
• **Let it be known that anyone participating in lewd behavior of any kind will not be tolerated, and will result in ejection from property (no questions asked).

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• this information is subject to change!