Satellite shot of GM's Wixom Proving grounds. Michigan Autobahn complex

[A HERETIC I AM]

Below is a photo i captured from Google Earth of the General Motors Proving Grounds in Wixom, Michigan, about 50 or so miles NW of Detroit.


The perfect circle to the left is a high banked "constant speed" track. The circle is so perfect and the banking so precisely parabolic in cross section that depending on the speed and where the driver places the car on the track, a complete circuit can be made without touching the steering wheel. According to Google Earth's measuring tool, the circle is 1.42 miles in diameter. At the bottom of the photo is a paired straightaway with high banked turning loops at each end. I used the measuring tool and captured the shot before i erased it. That is why you see the a very white line and the red square to the right end of the straightaway. The straights are almost exactly 3 miles long. Fascinating place. I delivered prototypes there a few times in the 90's when i hauled cars for a specialty carrier. Security as tight as a military base.

[Big Pappa]

1. That place

is huge!

[baldguy]

2. Automotive Disneyland.

[A HERETIC I AM]

5. OOOH! A Ford Product!

Niiice. DB 7?

Ford has a large facility in Arizona, just off I 40 near the California line. Ford also has a small test facility in Dearborn, at one of their engineering centers, not far from the headquarters building.

Chrysler has a rather large facility in Chelsea, MI, about 65 or so air miles south west of the Wixom site.

[baldguy]

6. V12 Vanquish

I'm sure they wouldn't mind a bit.

[gatorboy]

3. I'm sending this to a buddy. Thanks!

[napi21]

4. Great shot of a really neat place. Thanks! n/t