NJ Motorsports Park

[evogsrviii]

Has anyone raced here yet? The place looks awesome but very expensive unless your part of a car club. Is there anyway the public can use the track or is it only for members of the Park and car club members?

[Nick 95 6sp]

I ran on the Thunderbolt Track in August, and a couple other guys on here were also there. It's a very interesting track, I like it. And it's only like an hour from Philly where I live so that's great. I have also been to NJMP for two other track events just spectating, on both the Lightning track and on Thunderbolt.

The "season" is over now but as Spring approaches, look on the schedule page of PDA/NASA http://www.pdadrivingschool.com/ Other car clubs also schedule their own track days, such as Porsche and Audi Clubs, etc.

[evogsrviii]

cool. i heard some good things from guys that raced on the thunderbolt track too. So are you part of a car club? How does one find a car club that uses the track?

[Demonicbird00]

ill be racing on thunderbolt in april, i raced on the lightning course back in sept.

youll have to get in w/ scca,nasa or another sanctioning club

[oneday]

The site Nick mentioned, PDA, is the easiest and least expensive way of driving the NJMP tracks. I did three days at Thunderbolt this year, and plan on doing at least twice that next year. Thunderbolt is a very fun course with enough speed and technical stuff to keep most drivers happy.

The local BMW and Porche clubs also set up days to run the track--and while you don't need to be driving that marquee, it sometimes helps to have friends that are in the club to get a slot.

As a point of clarification: You aren't going to be "racing" you will be driving in an High Performance Driver's Education (HPDE) event. These are driving schools that teach high speed driving control and techniques. This is not wheel to wheel racing, there is no open passing...you can only pass when the car you are wanting to pass lets you go by--no matter how much they are slowing you down--I drive a Miata; the Vettes, BMWs and Porches hate being passed by me.

Check http://www.pdadrivingschool.com for next years schedule and get signed up. But be prepared, it's really addicting.

[evogsrviii]

thanks for the info. i will check the site out, it sounds like a lot of fun. you must have a pretty sick setup in your miata!

[rocco]

i only live 10 miles from the track i wish those cars where louder so i could hear them

[Nick 95 6sp]

There have also been a couple of great pro races at the track. The ALMS race was nationally televised.

Besides just car racing, the go kart track and rentals is also excellent.
http://www.njmotorsportspark.com/images/karting.jpg

If you haven't already, check out the track site for info: http://www.njmotorsportspark.com/

i only live 10 miles from the track i wish those cars where louder so i could hear them

You probably had a good view of the vintage aircraft during the Wheels & Warbirds event at the track. I went to that, too, and I thought it was great...but I like vintage sports and racing cars; not to mention all sorts of real cool vintage aircraft looping overhead all day at low altitude, doing loop de loops, etc. Maybe the crowds bug local residents, though.

http://millvilleairshow.com/images/p47_thunderbolt.jpghttp://millvilleairshow.com/images/vintage_racer.jpg
http://millvilleairshow.com/images/vrg_vintage_racers.jpghttp://millvilleairshow.com/images/scca_cars_in_action.jpg
http://millvilleairshow.com/images/p_47_group.jpghttp://millvilleairshow.com/images/supermarine_spitfire_mk-ix.jpg

[evogsrviii]

yea, i was looking at the website earlier today. I cant wait to the race season next year, i plan on going to watch a lot of events.

[Gordonfan24]

There have also been a couple of great pro races at the track. The ALMS race was nationally televised.

You mean the Grand-Am race? :wink:
I was at that race. And I volunteered as a grid worker for an SCCA event at the Lightning circuit. I must say, even just after the two weekends I've been to the track, it's a top notch facility. All the drivers I talked to were very pleased with the track layout, too. The first and last turns on the Lightning circuit are really something cool.

I can't wait to get out on the track at one of those PDA events.

Oh, sorry to bump this thread. Just throwing my input in.

[Nick 95 6sp]

You know I almost looked it up to make sure I had the right sactioning body...but alas, I was doomed to failure.

It seems that enough of us will be going to NJMP come Spring that we'll meet up for sure. Let's make it a point.

[alwaysinboost]

I'll be back there again with PDA this year.

[mikes93]

Hey guys please post up when you sign up, I like to take the sti down.


Mike

[evogsrviii]

Whats PDA?

[alwaysinboost]

www.pdadrivingschool.com

they host HPDE's.

Mike- I didn't know you had an STI also!

[evogsrviii]

oh yea, i did know what that was. i was looking at that site before. i am very interested in joining up.

[mikes93]

www.pdadrivingschool.com

they host HPDE's.

Mike- I didn't know you had an STI also!


06 Bone stock DD.

[alwaysinboost]

you track it yet?

[mikes93]

Not yet, was busy with the supra.

[Nick 95 6sp]

We're not gonna let you get away so easy this next season, Mike. We'll take you to NJMP kicking and screaming if we have to.

[1fastrex]

I was looking at the site it says exhaust may not exceed 90db. hmmm that may count me out if they are strict about it.

[Nick 95 6sp]

^ that noise level rule must be totally wack'd since the few times I've been there it seems half the cars would exceed that, including mine at WOT. I wouldn't worry about that.

I never even noticed that rule so I'm gonna go read about it. I'm curious what it says about the distance from the car they measure it.

[alwaysinboost]

I think that rule only applies to Lime rock, I'm not 100% sure but thats what I recall reading.

I do know when I went to pocono a couple times there is always this white vette that is LOUD as hell!!! he was about 1/4 mile ahead of me on the straight one time and I was looking all around cause it sounded like another car was right next to me.

all this talk about racing is killing me. I'm going carting @ LVGP tomorrow to get my fix.

[Nick 95 6sp]

...all this talk about racing is killing me...

Since the tracks are closed during winter, maybe a couple of us should chip up like $10 a piece, buy a running junker, and go ice racing up in the Poconos :mrgreen: Maybe we could get sponsored by Rita's Water Ice? The TST's Rita's Water Ice Racing Team :screwy:

I remember meeting a guy while racing at Pocono, or maybe it was Watkins Glen. He had a tee shirt on with "Volvo From Hell" and a caricature of his Volvo doing some ice racing, and one of the organizers mentioned his driving skills that he developed sliding around while racing on frozen lakes.

That made me look into it and it looks like a lot of fun, and probably cheap. A couple of my "ice racing" pic collection that I found around the 'net:

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/ice%20racing/01260824aCrowdedinteriors.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/ice%20racing/01260824Shocktravel.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/ice%20racing/01260821fiveabreast2-1.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/ice%20racing/2008_0224Image0219-738326.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/ice%20racing/08011315Racing-1.jpg

[evogsrviii]

haha, nice. that looks like fun!

[TROLL]

hey now i know a little something about ice racing :). on the lake in colorado, you had to be awd to get on the ice, but that was about the only rule. it wasnt wheel to wheel, but rather a symmetrical track with 2 cars at a time, starting from opposite sides... whoever got back to their respective starting point first won.

colorado, in 03 or 04... my car was less than a year old and almost stock (no moving shots cause i was the only one taking photos :()
http://bryantroll.com/other/iceracingphotos/BryanWRXIceRacing.jpg

these were the big boys of the track... spiked tires, ebrake operates only the front left tire to pivot around, under 1500 lbs total
http://bryantroll.com/other/iceracingphotos/WebDSC_006108.jpg

an old buddy of mine...
http://bryantroll.com/other/iceracingphotos/WebDSC_015927.jpg

I've heard of Ice Racing in New Hampshire, and it'd probably be worth the trip, but has anyone heard of it anywhere closer? Its a blast... I'd definitely be up for going...

[alwaysinboost]

its not exactly ice racing but me and some friends are signed up for a winter driving/ralley school in January with an Audi Club here:

http://www.team-oneil.com/index.htm

from their site:

You will receive individual attention and plenty of seat time to practice, practice, practice - and progress - on our:
- Skid pad
- Safety braking zone
- Obstacle avoidance area
- Slalom course
- Closed-circuit "real road" course

[Nick 95 6sp]

I'm pretty sure the ones in NY are closer than New Hampshire...but sadly, I haven't found anything on recent ice racing in PA other than a reference to ice racing on Lake Naomi in the Pocono from back in 1959 This has other ice racing listings and links http://planet-torque.com/iceracing/world.html

I'm really getting obsessed with this idea...

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/ice%20racing/iceracing15.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/ice%20racing/iceracing16.jpg

[oneday]

all this talk about racing is killing me. I'm going carting @ LVGP tomorrow to get my fix.


Tell Dan that I beat him in my last stint (after you guys left)...turned a 32.940. :wiggle:

[alwaysinboost]

yeah we saw that just before we left... everyone gets lucky once :-p

good time today, we should make that a monthly event. That last session with all eight of us was the best!

[alwaysinboost]

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/ice%20racing/iceracing16.jpg


that looks awesome... where do I sign up?

[Jfaphoenix32]

We have some in car video with sound on our website... www.phoenixperformance.net
Both tracks, Lightening and thunderbolt...

Check it out...

Joe

[AJ Hartman]

i've been on the thunderbolt circuit 3 times, but never on lightning. most fun i've ever had in a car by a long shot.

[KOPhoenix32]

I've run my Firebird in atleast 5 races with SCCA on the Lightning course.....What a Blast!! Fast track, can't wait to test out our new winter projects!!! When is the first day the track is open in 2009?

[Nick 95 6sp]

These pics I took might help give a "hands on" feel for NJMP. Plus, I'm getting sick of the cold and ice...so these are some warm memories from a last Aug. 3 Porsche Club track day, and then Aug. 5 at a PDA track day (with my Supra in a couple of the pics) including some of the go kart track next to the Lightning track:

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/Aug32008001.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/Aug32008002.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/Aug32008003.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/Aug32008004.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/Aug32008005.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/Aug32008006.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/Aug32008007.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/Aug32008008.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/Aug32008009.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/Aug32008010.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/Aug32008011.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/Aug32008012.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/Aug32008013.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/Aug32008014.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/Aug32008015.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/Aug32008016.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/Aug32008017.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/Aug32008018.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08026.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08027.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08028.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08029.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08030.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08031.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08032.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08033.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08034.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08035.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08036.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08037.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08041.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08042.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08043.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08044.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08045.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08046.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08047.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08048.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08049.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08025.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08024.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08023.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08022.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08021.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08020.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08019.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08018.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08017.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08016.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08015.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08014.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08013.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08012.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08011.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08010.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08009.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08008.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08007.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08006.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08005.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08004.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08003.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08002.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/nickjt/NJMP/NJMP8-5-08001.jpg

[frosti108]

Nick I love those pics. Some of those cars are just amazing...

Im especially a fan of those old school muscle cars turned race cars.

[alwaysinboost]

thanks for the pics, place looks a little different then when I went there in the pouring rain...

http://images43.fotki.com/v1384/photos/1/1128101/6908443/IMG_2738-vi.jpg

http://images43.fotki.com/v1369/photos/1/1128101/6908443/IMG_2741-vi.jpg

http://images43.fotki.com/v1381/photos/1/1128101/6908443/IMG_2740-vi.jpg

http://images115.fotki.com/v674/photos/1/1128101/6908443/IMG_2750-vi.jpg

http://images42.fotki.com/v1364/photos/1/1128101/6908443/IMG_2761-vi.jpg

http://images42.fotki.com/v1373/photos/1/1128101/6908443/IMG_2768-vi.jpg

http://images42.fotki.com/v1379/photos/1/1128101/6908443/IMG_2799-vi.jpg

http://images43.fotki.com/v1368/photos/1/1128101/6908443/IMG_2801-vi.jpg

http://images42.fotki.com/v1375/photos/1/1128101/6908443/IMG_2803-vi.jpg

http://images115.fotki.com/v688/photos/1/1128101/6908443/IMG_2811-vi.jpg

can't wait to get back out there when its dry :supz:

[Nick 95 6sp]

Nick I love those pics. Some of those cars are just amazing...

Im especially a fan of those old school muscle cars turned race cars.

You might recognize that maroonish one as a '64 GTO; it's a somewhat famous car and has been featured in Hot Rod magazine as well as other muscle car venues. I was talking to the owner/driver, very nice down-to-earth guy; he bought this GTO before he even turned 16, I think back in the late '60's/early '70's; it was a butchered up POS that somebody drag raced and didn't take care of; so he drag raced it for a while, then got interested in road racing so he did a little setup for that and started; I think it was at Lime Rock that he crashed it really bad, and right after that he decided to rebuild it as a hardcore tube frame Pontiac road racer which it is today. I would say it was just about my favorite car there that day.


thanks for the pics, place looks a little different then when I went there in the pouring rain...can't wait to get back out there when its dry :supz:

I've been on other tracks in the rain, and while it's an interesting driving challenge, given my limited time and money for track days I'd much rather have a nice cool dry day.

It'll be fun if some of us can get out there together come this Spring & Summer. They rent track-side suites for some of these track day weekends; as far as I've found out these can easily sleep five or six people, includes kitchen, view of the track, costs ~$250/night. Maybe a few of us can chip in for one and stay the weekend.

[alwaysinboost]

that was the only wet HPDE I've ever done. it is better then sitting in the house watching the rain fall but I'd rather be out there when its bone dry. the main issue I had was with everyone else out there. people where going off left and right, it was pretty crazy. I don't understand why some people feel the need to drive their cars in the pouring rain like its a qualifing lap.

I'm only about an hour & 15 min from NJMP, but if we got 5 guys together to go in on one of those suites it would be worth it. I know trackdaze is going there June 20-21. They run a good event and their rates are pretty reasonable.

[Dr. Acula]

The park is amazing. It's even putting fancy resort style hotels in there. I delivered the coca cola vending machines there. I went back for the time trials. I hear they are having drift there this year like an amateur league. Look forward to 2009 there. I talked to the guy who owns or runs it. The ideas and plans had me psyched

[xeclipsegtx]

track looks nice, but really pricey

[xeclipsegtx]

oh yeah I heard the year membership is 10k?

[oneday]

$10 would be cheap...I think that is the annual dues, but initial fees are in excess of $40K...but, you don't have to be a member to use the track...lots of organizations use the track for events. Expect pay $225-300 per day to do HPDEs there depending on which track and what organization is running it.

[cdw]

Initial fee is $15k and annual dues are $2,400, at least according to the membership application (available on the NJMP website).

[oneday]

Well that's not terrible...but then they still charge members $150 per event (with 15-30 private dates per year) if I am reading their info correctly.

I might have been thinking of VIR with the $40k initiation...or maybe it's Monticello?

[Gordonfan24]

They say they're going to have a minimum of 30 dates per year; last year was only "half a season" because of when they opened.
I think it's cool that you can use your NJMP member days at VIR as well.

In other news, the 2009 Spectator Schedule is out:
http://njmotorsportspark.com/news/news_20081208.html

[PA Z06]

that was the only wet HPDE I've ever done. it is better then sitting in the house watching the rain fall but I'd rather be out there when its bone dry. the main issue I had was with everyone else out there. people where going off left and right, it was pretty crazy. I don't understand why some people feel the need to drive their cars in the pouring rain like its a qualifing lap.

I'm only about an hour & 15 min from NJMP, but if we got 5 guys together to go in on one of those suites it would be worth it. I know trackdaze is going there June 20-21. They run a good event and their rates are pretty reasonable.

I did pocono north in the rain a couple years back, and I wouldent do it again, atleast not in the z. Over the summer I sat out my last session at summit cause it started raining.

[tr4c3]

I wanna do that!

[92dxman]

Nick---> Those pics from last August were damn near car porn! Fantastic pictures. Are they all from one day?

[Nick 95 6sp]

Nick---> Those pics from last August were damn near car porn! Fantastic pictures. Are they all from one day?

The last bunch of pics starting with the red Ferrari #23 with the rear jacked up are from the Aug. 5th open track day. The pics before that up to the two rental go kart pics are from the previous weekend Porsche Club event when I went just to check out what the track looked like and get a feel for the place.

It's quite common to see plenty of car porn at most track events.

[g00b86]

there a quite a few sick vids on you tube of this track... sounds like a good time

[AJ Hartman]

heres a vid i found of some in-car Mustang challenge series at NJMP

http://performancevids.com/index.php?&video_id=228&search_text=njmp

if u search NJMP theres a few more from that track also.

[Gordonfan24]

SJR SCCA is looking for volunteers for some of the event weekends this coming season. Race weekend dates are as follows:
-March 20-23
-June 5-7 (SCCA National Event)
-July 17-19 (SCCA Regional Event)
-August 21-23
-October 16-18
And it seems NJMP is also looking for people to work the Grand Am race again this year (April 30-May 3).

If you're interested, you can register at http://www.dlbracing.com/default.aspx. I worked the grid at one event last summer and it was a blast. I got an email about it. Figured I'd offer it to anyone here. You don't have to be in the SCCA, either.