New Jersey Motorsports Park – Thunderbolt Raceway

[Nick]

We are now in the concrete sub-phase of the project.  The crews are currently working on footers & foundations.  Pictured is the driving school foundation.

[Phokaioglaukos]

Paving started! You can see photos here: http://www.scca-nnjr.org/NNJR_Race/ThunderBolt.shtml

[Nick]

The asphalt trucks and and steam rollers covered Light Bulb turn the first day.

[Nick]

I took these pictures when I was at the track on Saturday afternoon.  About half of Lightning, the north course is now paved. 

[Nick]

In addition to the pavement the walls of the buildings are being erected.

The park is on schedule for a July, 2008 opening. 

I'd like to see RTR have a one day event in August and then a 3 day weekend in October that coincides with the city's art festival.

 

 

[Darren]

Nick -- When do they need test drivers???

[betegh9]

Darren wrote:

Nick -- When do they need test drivers???

Darren!
Are you made of plastic?............ then yes! you will be used as a test dummy!


:dude::dude:

[Phokaioglaukos]

Schedule of events is now posted: http://www.njmotorsportspark.com/html/20...endar.html

 

Video of the paving, and Joe Volpe, here: http://nbc40.net/pages/videoplayer/video.php?vid=3767

[Marty Kocse]

Phokaioglaukos wrote:

Schedule of events is now posted: http://www.njmotorsportspark.com/html/20...endar.html



Video of the paving, and Joe Volpe, here: http://nbc40.net/pages/videoplayer/video.php?vid=3767

Nick,
I don't see our Sept 29th advanced day on the schedule... Can you double check for us? Marty

[Nick]

I wasn't aware that we reserved an advanced day.

The schedule was part of this press release:

New Jersey Motorsports Park Releases Inaugural Race Calendar for 2008 Season

Professional Racing Returns to New Jersey at All-New Venue

 Orlando, FL and Millville, NJ – December 6, 2007 – At the annual Performance Racing Industry (PRI) tradeshow in Orlando, Florida, the racing world received official word that professional Motorsports is returning to New Jersey in a major way.  New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP), a new Motorsports complex in Southern New Jersey featuring five Motorsports venues, will host five major spectator races in its first year of operation and 34 club and driver school events have already been booked, filling out the schedule.  The marquee race of the season – Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series – is slated for August 29 – 31.
More than 100,000 spectators are forecast to visit Millville, NJ over the course of just two months next summer, as the facility welcomes some of America’s top touring racing series.  NJMP features two road-racing courses:  Thunderbolt Raceway, named for the historic P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft which was stationed at Millville Army Air Field during World War II and where its crews were trained, and the Lightning Road Course – named for the P-38 Lightning – the first American dual engine fighter.

The Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) will hold the first public spectator event in NJMP history on August 7-10.  Historic cars as diverse as the Ferrari Formula 2, Porsche 356, Jaguar E-Type, McLaren M8D Can-Am and Shelby GT350 participate in SVRA events, and will grace the Thunderbolt track.

The Shelby American Automobile Club will hold its national convention, complete with a concourse and racing event on August 15-17.  Carroll Shelby himself had a hand in the layout and conceptual design of the Thunderbolt Raceway, so it’s fitting that some of the legend’s greatest creations will be put to the test on a track that bears his imprint.

On August 29-31, NJMP will present its crown jewel event for 2008, as the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 brings its exotic Daytona Prototype and GT racers to Thunderbolt Raceway.  Arguably the most competitive racing series in America, the Grand-Am Rolex Series features superstar drivers like Scott Pruett, Alex Gurney, Max Angelelli and Bill Auberlen, as well as world-renowned teams such as Chip Ganassi with Felix Sabates.  NJMP expects Grand-Am’s first visit to the facility to be the biggest spectator draw of the season.

On September 12-14, professional drifting makes its road course debut in New Jersey as the D1 Grand Prix comes to town to compete on the Lightning Road Course.  Drifters balance speed, artistry and showmanship in this unique judged Motorsport event, and will contribute plenty of rubber to the fresh asphalt at NJMP.

The ARCA RE/MAX Series, America’s most diverse auto racing series, returns to road-course racing for the first time since 2001 on September 26-28 at Thunderbolt Raceway, wrapping up NJMP’s inaugural spectator season.  Spectators will get a look at the next generation of NASCAR hopefuls, as they race stockcars around the 2.3-mile road circuit.

New Jersey Motorsports Park is already nearly fully booked for its first season of operation.  Beyond the five initial public events, national and regional enthusiast clubs will hold events at the facility, including the Porsche Club of America, BMW Club of America, SCCA, Skip Barber Driving School, and New York Sport Bike Club.

 2008 New Jersey Motorsports Park Spectator Calendar

Date                     Race                                                         Venue         
Aug 7-10, 2008       SVRA                                              Thunderbolt Raceway

Aug 15-17, 2008      Shelby Club of America             Thunderbolt Raceway

Aug 29-31, 2008      Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series        Thunderbolt Raceway

Sept 12-14, 2008     D1 Grand Prix                                   Lightning Road Course

Sept 26-28, 2008     ARCA RE/MAX Series              Thunderbolt Raceway

 

2008 New Jersey Motorsports Park Club & School Calendar

Date                     Race                                                         Venue         
July 11-13              EMRA                                             Lightning Road Course

July 18-20              SCCA                                     Lightning Road Course

July 25-27              Keith Code Motorcycle School              Lightning Road Course

July 28-31              Bertil-Roos Driver School          Lightning Road Course

Aug 2-4                 Porsche Club of America            Lightning Road Course

Aug 7-10               Bertil-Roos Driver School          Lightning Road Course

Aug 11-14              Keith Code Motorcycle School              Lightning Road Course

Aug 15-17              NY Sportbike Club                    Lightning Road Course

Aug 18–19             Porsche Club of America            Thunderbolt Raceway

Aug 19-21              Skip Barber Driver School          Lightning Road Course

Aug 22-24              SCCA Regionals                       Lightning Road Course

Aug 25                  NE Sportbike Association           Thunderbolt Raceway

Aug 25-28              Skip Barber Driver School          Lightning Road Course

Aug 29-31              NE Sportbike Association           Lightning Road Course

Sept 1-3                Skip Barber Driver School          Lightning Road Course

Sept 5-7                Porsche Club of America            Thunderbolt Raceway

Sept 5-7                Woodbridge Kart Club                Lightning Road Course
Sept 9-11               Skip Barber Driver School          Lightning Road Course

Sept 10-11             Porsche Club of America            Thunderbolt Raceway
Sept 12-14             Porsche Club of America            Thunderbolt Raceway
Sept 15                 NE Sportbike Association           Thunderbolt Raceway

Sept 19                   VRG Race                               Lightning Road Course
Sept 19-21             SCCA                                     Thunderbolt Raceway
Sept 27-28             Team ProMotion (Motorcycle)     Lightning Road Course
Oct 3-5                          Absolute Cycle                                  Thunderbolt Raceway
Oct 3-5                 Porsche Club of America            Lightning Road Course

Oct 6                    NE Sportbike Association           Thunderbolt Raceway

Oct 10-12              Porsche Club of America            Thunderbolt Raceway

Oct 11-12              Sportbike Track Club                   Lightning Road Course
Oct 17-19              Porsche Club of America            Thunderbolt Raceway
Oct 17-19              SCCA Regionals                       Lightning Road Course

Oct 20                   Team ProMotion (Motorcycle)     Thunderbolt Raceway

Oct 24-26              SCCA                                             Thunderbolt Raceway

Oct 24-26              Porsche Club of America            Lightning Road Course

Oct 31-Nov2          NY Sportbike Club                    Lightning Road Course

Nov 1-2                 NE Sportbike Association           Thunderbolt Raceway

Nov 1-2                 Porsche Club of America            Thunderbolt Raceway

Nov 7-9                 NASA/PDA                             Thunderbolt Raceway

 The New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP), featuring Thunderbolt Raceway, is a $150 million world-class Motorsports complex located on 700 acres of land adjacent to the Millville, NJ Airport. 
 
Like its sister property, Virginia International Raceway, NJMP will mix world-class racing facilities with high-end hospitality venues.  NJMP, however, will include multiple hotels and restaurants at varying price points, educational and research facilities, classic car gallery and a clubhouse with pool, fitness and tennis facilities.  In a nod to one of the seminal characters in the racing world, NJMP christened the media center and scoring tower the “Chris Economaki Tower�? in honor of the New Jersey native. 
 
Scheduled to open in July 2008, it will be the only US Motorsports complex with such diverse venues as two road courses, driver training and skid pad facility, 3/4 mile tri-oval, high performance kart track and an off-road vehicle course for extreme sports – all situated in a country club setting.  In addition to the Motorsports attractions, NJMP will also include a conference center, car gallery and an automobile museum as well as diverse retail shopping experiences.
 
The principals of NJMP are Harvey Siegel, Lee Brahin, Richard “RJ�? Valentine and Joe Savaro.  A seasoned race car driver and real estate developer, Siegel is the owner of the Virginia International Raceway (VIR). Through his renovations of the historic VIR complex, it has come to be considered one of the nation's premier road courses.  A classic car racer, Brahin is the operating principal of Brahin Properties, Inc. and affiliated companies, specializing in the development, management, acquisition, financing and brokerage of commercial properties.  The current Brahin organization portfolio exceeds 2.5 million square feet and has a value in excess of $100,000,000 with properties in six states.  A professional race car driver currently competing in the Rolex Grand Am Series, Valentine is a successful entrepreneur, responsible for more that 30 years of business growth in diverse industries.  Currently his holding company, MBA Group, controls more than 18 businesses in the insurance, financial services, oil and gas production, investigative services, private jet charter and real estate. Joe Savaro has played a key role in the development and approval process of NJMP, and was the individual who introduced the site to the partnership group. He is also the Director of Asset Management for Brahin Management Corporation, and has over 25 years experience in marketing and managing real estate investments.

 For more information, please visit: http://www.njmotorsportspark.com/