Pontiac, MI — Tim McGrane’s tenure at the helm of the Detroit-area M1 Concourse began Monday (March 1).

The veteran automotive and motorsport executive most recently served as CEO of Sports Car Association of Monterey Peninsula, the group that oversaw California’s Laguna Seca Raceway. In that capacity, he was responsible for a robust Porsche Rennsport Reunion IV, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion celebration of the IMSA 50th Anniversary and the successful return of the IndyCar Series to the historic track.

Now he’s poised to make that same kind of impact in the Midwest, and he’s getting started in a year that will see completion of two major expansion projects, and three new automotive events for the Detroit area.

“I am excited to be starting at M1 and to be part of the vibrant car culture of Motown,” McGrane said. “Our plan is to create unique and memorable experiences for our garage community and also for the automotive media and enthusiasts who will be coming to our events for the first time this year. M1 is a world-class facility, and we want to provide world-class experiences for those who will be visiting us.”

M1 Concourse is in the midst of a breakout year, with construction of 70 private garages expected to be completed soon, giving the track 243 private garages and making it the largest private garage community in the world.

The 87-acre facility, featuring the 1.5-mile Champion Motor Speedway road course, is also constructing a 28,500-square-foot Event Center that will overlook the track. Among the major events already scheduled are the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America induction dinners in September.

M1 will be the site of the inaugural Motor Bella, a re-imagined North American International Auto Show for 2021, that will be held outdoors Sept. 21-26.

And M1 will also host the Aug. 19-21 Woodward Dream Show, and the Sept. 30-Oct.3 American Speed Festival.

McGrane, a native of England, also has strategic event and marketing experience in the luxury automotive, yacht and private aviation sectors.

“Tim is an ideal candidate to continue our momentum, which has been on nothing but an upward trajectory,” said Paul Zlotoff, chairman of the M1 board. He combines a deep passion for motorsports with a long-standing experience in creating high-end experiential events.