Remember When The West Michigan Grand Prix Was A Thing? [Video]

In 1998 and 1999, the Grand Rapids closed off the downtown streets and turned them over to the Sports Car Club of America, who hosted the West Michigan Grand Prix on the Scott Brayton Memorial Street Circuit.

I'm sorry I missed this, as apparently one of the main curves was right outside our building on Monroe.

Scott Brayton was an Indy Car driver from Coldwater who was tragically killed during a practice run for the Indianapolis 500 in 1996. In his honor, the SCCA organized the West Michigan Grand Prix, which ran for two summers downtown in 1998 and 1999. The event attracted over 100,000 spectators during its two year stay downtown. The event was held in late July both years.

The event failed to get corporate backing for the 2000 race season, and amid complaints about the noise the race caused, the event folded. Grand Haven's city council talked about picking it back up, but that never materialized.

This looked like a great event. What are your memories of the West Michigan Grand Prix?

Here's a look at some of the cars racing around the curve at Fulton and Monroe, and then shooting back up Louis.