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
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 South Proving Grounds Boulevard. Marker is at the end of South Proving Grounds Boulevard in the former Packard Proving Grounds, about 0.25 miles west of Van Dyke Avenue. There is no street sign for South Proving Grounds Boulevard, which is about 0.4 miles north of 22 Mile Road. The grounds of the Proving Grounds behind the main gates are not always open to the public. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 49965 Van Dyke Avenue, Utica MI 48317, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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.
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 240 times since then and 12 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.