New Jersey Motorsports Park – Thunderbolt Raceway

[smankow]

Chris, Nick & I attended the public meeting in Millville.  Chris & I arrived early and had a chance to speak with Don Fauerbach, who is running their Green Flag charity wing (which will soon include Nick Hatalski) as well as spearheading much of the project efforts within Millville.  Although seating was open, Don asked us to sit with the group supporting the project.  We later found out that the reasoning was that a strong show of support for the project would aid the Committee Members, who had been under pressure from all sides.

All of us were quite impressed with the professionalism that was exhibited throughout the meeting.  Any and all interested parties were given the opportunity to be heard.  Nick, as well as a rep from the Schattenbaum Region, provided details of estimated money spent throughout the weekends.  Those opposed to the project focused more on tax abatements, which ended up being very overblown as currently this area (owned by Millville) generates $0 of tax revenue.

At the close of public discussion, each committee member voiced their views of the project (all positive) siting not only tax revenue but that NJMP would provide a new industry to the area along with over 6,000 new jobs directly from the park.  Each also noted that Cumberland County, where Millville resides, is the poorest county in the state of NJ and they continually fight with Trenton to retain the tax advantages that have kept them going.  Ultimately, the issue came to vote and it was unanimously approved.

After the meeting, the track supporters gathered at a local pub to celebrate.  We invited Harvey Siegel and Lee Brahin, the two majority owners of NJMP, to join us at our table.  Although we didn't have their undivided attention, we did have a good opportunity to talk with them about the project, including why they chose Millville, what they need to do to get started (final FAA approval for land sale) and estimated start (January 2007), completion (track laid in Sept. 2007) and opening (Spring 2008).  The knowledge and experience of these gentlemen was astounding.  They each took the time to personally thank all of us who came to support them at the meeting.

When all was said and done, we were glad that we made the trek to Millville.  Hopefully, our time spent and with Nick getting involved there, will reap some benefits for RTR.  They were aware that RTR had been in touch with them about a variety of dates, but they haven't begun to book anything yet.  They did tell us that most of the requests have been for the full track, although it's subject to change.  They are expecting to hold spectator events (RACES) in 2008.

I'm sure that I missed something here, but I'm sure that Nick and Chris will comment, as necessary.

Steve