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Tim McGrane has a long, varied career in the automotive industry. It’s steered him to his current role as the CEO of M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan. The 87-acre playground for auto enthusiasts includes the world’s largest community of Private Garages and a 1.5-mile Performance Track with its own private Motorsports Club.
A native of England whose previous experience tenures at Blackhawk Museum in Danville, California, and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, McGrane is my guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-host Bruce Aldrich is on assignment.
McGrane assumed his latest position in March and like the management of other automotive facilities, M1 Concourse has had to adapt its business during the Covid-19 pandemic.
M1 Concourse, will proper protocols, is now ready for its full season of activities, and we discuss it during Episode No. 186.
In the current issue of his regular online newsletter, McGrane describes M1 as “a place where enthusiasts can keep, show and exercise their vehicles in the company of other enthusiasts and enjoy unforgettable experiences in a social setting unavailable to people who keep their cars at home or in a traditional storage facility.”
M1 Concourse: A Family Affair
“In short, M1 Concourse is the epicenter of all things automotive in metro Detroit and provides the largest concentration of auto enthusiasts in the world a venue to enjoy their passion with friends and family.”
A new featured event this season is the Woodward Dream Show, August 19-21. The gathering was initiated to complement the famed Woodard Dream Cruise with historic and legendary hot rods and muscle cars on display.
This year’s schedule also includes Motor Bella (September 21-26) and the American Speed Festival (Sept. 30-Oct. 3). The remaining M1 Cars & Coffee are scheduled July 24, Sept. 4. and Oct. 16.
McGrane details all of M1 Concourse events and his experience in his new role at the five-year-old facility. Event specifics are available here: m1concourse.com.
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Article Last Updated: June 29, 2021.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
