NJMP Groundbreaking

[thewake]

http://www.wakemen.com/assets/galleries/34/groundbreaking1.JPG
The New Jersey Motorsports Park ('http://www.njmotorsportspark.com') held a public goundbreaking last night. The ceremony was nice and everyone was excited, except of course Chris Economaki ('http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Economaki') who said that he wanted to avoid that particular word. He described himself as 'enthused' and 'enraptured'.

The first events are planned for June 2008. The first event is going to be held by the Shelby American Automobile Club. The Sports Car Club of America ('http://www.scca.com') in particular the South Jersey Region ('http://www.sjr-scca.org') will be hosting events as well, we just don't have the dates yet.

http://www.wakemen.com/assets/galleries/34/groundbreaking2.JPG
The owners of the track will be naming the media tower after Chris Economaki and they unveiled the plaque that will hang in the building in his honor. He seemed to really appreciate the gesture. Everyone there cheered when they made the announcement.

http://www.wakemen.com/assets/galleries/34/groundbreaking4.JPG
They then went just outside the tent to do the ceremonial digging with the golden shovels.
http://www.wakemen.com/assets/galleries/34/groundbreaking6.JPG
I even managed to catch the flying dirt with my camera.

http://www.wakemen.com/assets/galleries/34/groundbreaking7.JPG
We got to see and walk on sections of the "Lightbulb Turn" section of the Lightning Racetrack. The track has a long way to go, yet it is well on the way to the proverbial checkered flag that is opening day. I am not going to wait patiently, I need to get busy on my project car.

Even if you don't want to race, come on out and help us hold the races. We (and any other club that holds events there) will need workers of all types.

Yes I know they have been working out there for a while. Still this was the "official groundbreaking" so I thought you would like to see the photos and perhaps read my report.

Also read about it at http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070920/NEWS01/70920018/1004/living and http://www.nj.com/sunbeam/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1190274094182180.xml&coll=9 and http://www.globest.com/news/996_996/gsrnortheast/164161-1.html. you can see the channel 40 (NBC in Atlantic City) video at http://www.nbc40.net/pages/videoplayer/video.php?vid=3097. Channel 6 was also there, but I didn't see a report on their site.

[BMS]

my dad has been following this for a long time. he is probably going to become a member, also it would be sick to buy one of the house on the infield

[Nick 95 6sp]

I hope you get flooded with people wanting to drive on that new track. I'll be there.

[Sincere]

This is gonna be my home away from home. I can't wait. I need to get a racing license. Great post!

[amp]

im lookin into pickin up one of the townhomes they are buildin in the park...
itll be my second home... primary home for my fds...

[201Motorsports]

This looks fantastic... and the countdown continues :mrgreen:

[foolio]

Tonight on ABC there is going to be a special about the track. Its on at 7:30 tonight 9/22/07. I cant wait for it, it will only be about 45 minutes away for me.

[Charged SVTF]

I was at the ceremony. Blood was boiling in anticipation lol.

[the mike]

Thank god. I have been following all the drama about this opening/groundbreaking for YEARS. This is going to be my Sunday home away from home, and might even convince me to get a normal Mon-Fri job so I can be off Saturdays.

[88TSI_Rob]

im lookin into pickin up one of the townhomes they are buildin in the park...
itll be my second home... primary home for my fds...

If you ever need a homesitter I'd be happy to help. :)

I can't wait to get on this track. My car should be "done" right around May-June 2008 so the timing it perfect for me.

[BMS]

i wonder wat the costs will be for the town houses

[ITSTOCK]

I honestly thought that this wasn't going to happen! They need to do the same thing at Willow Grove Air base.

[Sincere]

I honestly thought that this wasn't going to happen! They need to do the same thing at Willow Grove Air base.

That would be sooo sick. I could walk there. But this is just as good.

[Charged SVTF]

I dont know how far away from willow grove it is...but Liberty Bell Raceway got approved and isnt too far away from Philadelphia.

[jdmwill]

i stayed home late just to see this on abc.my mouth is salivating with anticipation.before the drift bug hit me i use to do alot of road coursing with the scca.it will be nice to get back to my roots plus my rb powered 240 should be 100% by then.i would love to time attack it.

p.s. what with this liberty raceway
will

[NOPSTNS]

I dont know how far away from willow grove it is...but Liberty Bell Raceway got approved and isnt too far away from Philadelphia.

im gonna need more info on liberty bell raceway there buddy....thats news to me!

there is another track being built slated for summer 08 and its called alpine motorsports park. same scenario...

im waitin for a schedule to be developed for all these news tracks bc a HPDE would be great fun and i dont want to go to only pocono raceway each time there is one....

hooray!:thumbup:

[BMS]

Alpine is more like a Golf country club, except it for racers. members only, as far as i know there will be no professianal event held there. My dad was going to become a member, then he heard about njmp and instead is becoming a member of njmp

[88TSI_Rob]

Liberty is going through a lot of the legal issues NJMP went through already and is probably a good 2-3 years away from being completed. I hope it gets built, the more tracks in the area the better.

http://www.libertybellmp.com/track.html

[BMS]

I went to the website, there is a big sign that says Approved in yellow

[NOPSTNS]

+1


i see that too...
alpine is said to be country club for racers but i signed up for more info and im gonna see if they do prices for individual days as well, sintead of lifetime memberships...which is gay imo bc im poor


liberty bell is said to be in douglasville or some crap berks?
wheres berks county?

[Demonicbird00]

i see my dad lol. he is next to our buddy rick who is wearing a yellow shirt. they are bth facing each other laughing and both have the thunder bolt raceway hats on lol. thats funny.

ill be there racing karts in aug/sept. i cant wait

-brandon

[Demonicbird00]

i wonder wat the costs will be for the town houses


they started at 395k. they are now 455k

[sisforsurfing]

Great post... this is something to look forward to, it'll be fantastic to have something so much more local.

[den9]

i wonder if they will have american lemans racing there?

[Charged SVTF]

Most likely. This coarse is going to be FAST with some technical sections. Perfect for American Lemans and Speed World Challenge. I am currently praying they make there way down here lol.

[jdmwill]

i heard in a show this pass saturday that it is model after vir.apparently the guy in charged of the development is the same guy who designed vir.i know its going to be a while before i get a chance to run the course,but i cant wait.


will

[Charged SVTF]

Well the owner of VIR is also going to be one of the partners for this track. Also, Carroll Shelby helped with the design and he likes VIR apparently.

[88TSI_Rob]

I went to the website, there is a big sign that says Approved in yellow

The township has decided to appeal the zoning approval.

All it takes is a couple people to dislike a project and they just keep finding ways to keep the litigation going and going and going....

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1Y1-109927869.html

[Charged SVTF]

The Mayor was at the ground braking is in full support. Not to mention the Mayors Committee for the entire South Jersey region support the project. It will bring a ton of jobs and increase the economy for a few counties and the state.

The only people in opposition are the ones that fear change.

[S.Milone]

They better hold some drifting events.

[NOPSTNS]

bump for news to me....i work with a friend who said its a yearly membership at 500 a piece which would be at least 1 track day a month for at least 3-4 months which is an awesome deal...

i will be there frequently....
he said the one course is 4.5 miles long which is nasty long bc i ran poconos 2.5 course and i thought that was awesome....

he said they are shootin for completuion june/july of 08.....right when i mount my nittos!


see yas there! i expect many tst'ers there.

[Nick 95 6sp]

I believe that the latest plan being built right now is for two shorter tracks instead of the 4+ mile original plan, so two 2+ mile track layouts. At the PDA track day at Pocono last week, they said PDA already has plans in place for track days at Thunderbolt and these events will be open to anyone thru PDA not just "track members" or the condo residents; other local groups like SCCA will also have track days for their members/participants. But there will also be track time reserved for the paying members who own the trackside condos so they do get some preferrential treatment.

edit: well I couldn't say it better myself, this is from their website

******************************
The First Phase of New Jersey Motorsports Park is overwhelming. Featuring two (2) separate world class road courses, a first class karting circuit, vast amenities and a clubhouse to unwind at the end of the day.

The Southern Road Circuit at New Jersey Motorsports Park will be our signature Thunderbolt Raceway featuring over 2.25 miles of asphalt, 14 challenging turns, a one half mile straightway and approximately 40 acres of full service paddock space.

Amenities on this circuit will include concession buildings, event garages, twenty (20) VIP Suites, banquet rooms, a covered false grid, and a three (3) story timing tower with media center and VIP facilities.

The 1.9 mile Northern Circuit will be known as Lighting, this 10 corner circuit will be fast and challenging featuring some of the most interesting and dramatic corners and elevation changes in the park. The 20 acre paddock area will have a 4 acre skid pad and autocross area, as well as concession areas, timing towers and school and drivers meeting room facilities.

Connected to the Lighting will be our 1.1 mile world class karting facility. The karting facility features eight dramatic configurations many of which can be run simultaneously. All eight configurations are designed to be run either clockwise or counter clockwise and just when you feel you’ve mastered the circuit, it’s time to point you in a new direction to learn all over again.

[thewake]

bump for news to me....i work with a friend who said its a yearly membership at 500 a piece which would be at least 1 track day a month for at least 3-4 months which is an awesome deal...

i will be there frequently....
he said the one course is 4.5 miles long which is nasty long bc i ran poconos 2.5 course and i thought that was awesome....

he said they are shootin for completuion june/july of 08.....right when i mount my nittos!


see yas there! i expect many tst'ers there.

The membership is $500 deposit, $10,000 initiation and $2,400 a year (http://www.njmotorsportspark.com/html/general_membership.html) for an individual. The deposit I believe goes toward the initiation fee.

I believe that the Lightning course will open first and then Thunderbolt, both in the Summer of '08.

Here is the map I took from the site:
http://www.wakemen.com/photos/totaltracklayout.jpg

Lightning looks like it is going to be way faster than Thunderbolt.

[alwaysinboost]

That map looks nasty. Its going to be nice having a decent technical road course so close by. I can't wait until this opens.

[BMS]

i can't wait till its open. i'm trying to convince my dad how great the track side condo is going to be; but those condos are going to be like at least around the 1 mil mark before the track opens. Also by the time the track open we might have our new race car????