New Jersey Motorsports Park – Thunderbolt Raceway

[Mark Fox]

Wow the northern course layout doesn't looks that interesting on paper if you like  braking zones and corners.  Probably still better than Pocono North however. hock:

[Nick]

Paul Pigman and John Genovese stopped by yesterday and we did a lap on Thunderbolt in Paul's truck.  Jackamo counted 27 earthmovers.  The project is progressing nicely.

[Phokaioglaukos]

The North Course looks as though it will be really fast. Is that the first one to be paved?

Can you tell if the kart track within the North Course will be paved at the same time?

[Nick]

The First Phase of New Jersey Motorsports Park featurrs 2 separate world class road courses, a first class karting circuit, and a clubhouse.

The Southern Road Circuit is the signature Thunderbolt Raceway featuring over 2.25 miles of asphalt, 14 turns, a one half mile straightway and about 40 acres of full service paddock space. This course has been cut out and is being graded. Amenities on this circuit will include concession buildings, event garages, 20 VIP Suites, banquet rooms, a covered false grid, and a 3 story timing tower with media center and VIP facilities.

The 1.9 mile Northern Circuit will be known as Lightning, 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, concession areas, timing towers, school and drivers meeting room facilities.

Connected to the Lightning will be the 1.1 mile world class karting facility. The karting facility features 8 configurations many of which can be run simultaneously. All 8 configurations are designed to be run either clockwise or counter clockwise.

[TwentySix]

Looks like Schattenbaum has a tentative 2008 PCA Club Race date September 12-14:

https://www.pca.org/clubrace/schedule2008.htm

[Nick]

That's correct.  I was with their president, Dan Petchel, at Summit Point today.  They plan to have a number of events at Thunderbolt next year including a DE/Club Race this time next year.

[Nick]

The formal Groundbreaking Ceremony of New Jersey Motorsports Park was held on 9/19 on Light Bulb Turn. Tom, Mike, Chris and I were among a crowd of 500 people who traveled far and wide to take part in the festivities.  To kick off the ceremony a P-47 Thunderbolt flew over the track.  WWII fighter pilots trained in this aircraft on the very site of the race track. 

Chris Economaki, The Dean of Motorsports Journalists[/i] was on the stage when Harvey Siegel announced that the facility's media center and tower are being named for him. 

Harvey also announced that Carroll Shelby is being brought in to work on the layout and conceptual design of Thunderbolt Raceway to ensure that the courses will be optimized for speed with a regular "pucker" factor. (Pictured are Carroll, Harvey and Lee).

Rumor has it that the initiation fee of the Driver’s Club will double as of 10/1/08.

[Nick]

The track is progressing nicely.  My 545i can complete a lap in about 2 minutes.

 

Attached is a picture of Light Bulb Turn

[Lil Gas Passer]

May be hosting an ALMS race??? That'd be cool...

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar.../1531/FREE

[Nick]

For those of you who have visited the track and were concerned about the drainage.  It has been addressed.