Shelby Charter Township in Shelby Township in Macomb County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Made for Speed
The Test Track at the Proving Grounds
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 3, 2019
1. Made for Speed: The Test Track at the Proving Grounds Marker
The high-speed testing track was the key.
The 2 1/2-mile oval had 31-degree banked curves which allowed drivers to reach high speeds. On June 14, 1928, after winning that year's Indianapolis 500, race car driver Leon Duray drove his Miller Special to a record lap speed of 148.7 miles per hour, a record that held up until the late 1940s. The Timing Stand at the east side of the track provided observation areas for timing and other test measurements. Miles of nearby off-road courses challenged Packard automobiles with pounding conditions, including sand traps, suspended railroad ties, water baths and hill climbs.
You Auto Know
Through 28 years of vehicle performance testing, no driver's or mechanic's life was lost at the Packard Proving Grounds.
Erected by MotorCities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 14, 1928.
Location. 42° 39.676′ N, 83° 2.298′ W. Marker is in Shelby Township, Michigan, in Macomb County. It is in Shelby Charter Township. Marker can be reached from
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Extreme Testing (a few steps from this marker); Packard Takes Flight (within shouting distance of this marker); In Times of War (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Vincent Family (approx. 0.2 miles away); "Quality First" (approx. 0.2 miles away); Base of Operations (approx. 0.2 miles away); Packard Proving Grounds (approx. 0.2 miles away); Packard Motor Car Company / Packard Proving Grounds (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shelby Township.
Photo courtesy of The Packard Motor Car Foundation., August 3, 2019
2. Made for Speed: The Test Track at the Proving Grounds Marker - upper left image
A 1949 Super Eight sedan on a curve of the test track.
Photo courtesy of The Packard Motor Car Foundation.
3. Made for Speed: The Test Track at the Proving Grounds Marker - lower far left image
Packard President Alvan Macauley and others in the timing stand checking the performance of a 1932 Packard Twin Six seven passenger sedan.
Photo courtesy of The Packard Motor Car Foundation.
4. Made for Speed: The Test Track at the Proving Grounds Marker - near lower left image
A 1936 Packard Twelve leaving the track after testing.
Photo courtesy of The Packard Motor Car Foundation.
5. Made for Speed: The Test Track at the Proving Grounds Marker - near right image
A 1937 Super Eight sedan plows through the water-bath testing area.
Photo courtesy of The Packard Motor Car Foundation.
6. Made for Speed: The Test Track at the Proving Grounds Marker - far right image
In this performance test across railroad ties, mounted lights show the degree of bounce in time-lapse photography.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 3, 2019
7. Made for Speed: The Test Track at the Proving Grounds Marker
View looking to the west. The marker is at the end of South Proving Grounds Boulevard. What remains of the test track is in the background.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 3, 2019
8. Made for Speed: The Test Track at the Proving Grounds Marker
Close-up of the timing stand.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 3, 2019
9. Made for Speed: The Test Track at the Proving Grounds Marker
View looking north showing the remaining 458-foot section of the test track.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 239 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 8, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on August 9, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
