First SCCA Race at NJMP

[Terry Hanushek]

After four decades SCCA road racing is returning to New Jersey! The South Jersey Region is hosting the Inaugural Lightning Challenge on the Lightning Raceway course at New Jersey Motorsports Park on 19-20 July.

Online registration (http://www.dlbracing.com) is now open at on the DLB site. Select South Jersey Region or Northeast Division as the Club to see the event calender.

Terry Hanushek
South Jersey Region

[dtanthon]

Check www.DLBRacing.com (http://www.DLBRacing.com) or click below...
Drivers-
Driver Register (http://www.dlbracing.com/clubs/sjr-scca/clubracing.aspx?EventID=3410)
Driver Edit (http://www.dlbracing.com/clubs/sjr-scca/clubracing.aspx?EventID=3410)
Driver Cancel (http://www.dlbracing.com/?EventID=3410)
Driver List (http://www.dlbracing.com/clubs/clubdrivers.aspx?EventID=3410)
Workers-
Worker Register (http://www.dlbracing.com/clubs/clubracing/RegisterWorkersnomeds.aspx?EventID=3410)
Worker Edit (http://www.dlbracing.com/clubs/clubracing/RegisterWorkersnomeds.aspx?EventID=3410)
Worker Cancel (http://www.dlbracing.com/?EventID=3410)
Worker List (http://www.dlbracing.com/clubs/workers.aspx?EventID=3410)

[dtanthon]

Check www.DLBRacing.com (http://www.dlbracing.com/) or click below...
Drivers-
Drivers Register (http://www.dlbracing.com/drivers/login2.aspx?return=/clubs/neohio-scca/clubrace.aspx%3fEventID%3d3410) (fixed the link)
Driver Edit (http://www.dlbracing.com/drivers/login2.aspx?return=/clubs/neohio-scca/clubracing.aspx%3fEventID%3d3410) (fixed the link)
Driver Cancel (http://www.dlbracing.com/default.aspx?EventID=3410)
Driver List (http://www.dlbracing.com/clubs/clubdrivers.aspx?EventID=3410)
Workers-
Worker Register (http://www.dlbracing.com/clubs/clubracing/RegisterWorkersnomeds.aspx?EventID=3410)
Worker Edit (http://www.dlbracing.com/clubs/clubracing/RegisterWorkersnomeds.aspx?EventID=3410)
Worker Cancel (http://www.dlbracing.com/?EventID=3410)
Worker List (http://www.dlbracing.com/clubs/workers.aspx?EventID=3410)

Links also available on www.NARRC.com (http://www.NARRC.com) and www.NJRRS.com (http://www.NJRRS.com)

Thanks,
Darrell
Jersey Racing Board
www.NJRRS.com (http://www.NJRRS.com)

[dominojd]

How come you can not register through the NESCCA site?

[Andy Bettencourt]

How come you can not register through the NESCCA site?
Southern Jersy Region doesn't use it. They use DBL....

[dominojd]

Wouldn't you think it shouldn't be listed then? :shrug:

[jjjanos]

Wouldn't you think it shouldn't be listed then? :shrug:

NESCCA's site lists all of the road races that are hosted by a region in NEDIV, regardless of whether you can register through NESCCA or not.

[Terry Hanushek]

Joe


How come you can not register through the NESCCA site?
It took awhile but we now have a link on the NESCCA Event Information Page (http://www.nescca.com/registration/) :cool:

This listing is a courtesy from the NESCCA online registration to benefit NEDiv drivers.

Terry

[dtanthon]

THIS PLACE IS GOING TO BE FAST!!!!!!!!
Be part of history, come to New Jersey and see what you can do.

NJMP Lightning Circuit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_6T7CzShJw

[Tigaman]

Sure is, Darrell! I made the video and I know! :D A big thanks to Joe Volpe for providing a top-notch environment in which to work. :happy204:

I've got a write-up on driving the facility on my site under "News"

Video of the Thunderbolt circuit, albeit without top coat, curbs or pit lane barriers is up on YouTube, too. Search my username 4REMD or tags NJMP.

Lots of fun! Hope to run Thunderbolt 9/20-21 and Lightning 9/19-21 with two cars! Can't wait for that!

[jjjanos]

According to JD King:

Tire Vendors at the track will be

Competition Tire East
Bob Smart

[Greg Amy]

Hmmmm....I see we're starting off on the right foot here:

- Using DLBRacing instead of the registration system that the rest of the division uses;
- Requiring payment *in advance*; with
- a $30 cancellation (uh, sorry, "administration") fee. Plus,
- A track with a $250 test day fee if paid in advance by yesterday or $350 afterwards and zero refund if canceled within a week???

Just one question: does NJMP and South Jersey Region realize that the economy's heading for the sh**er, energy prices are approaching double what they were a year ago, and now's REALLY not the best time to be asking for a lot more money and inconvenience from the racers?

I've already decided to forget the test day (an extra vacation day, an extra hotel night, *and* $350 for God-knows-how-much track time), and I'm *this* to saying "chuck it" to this event and going to WGI or NHMS instead...

I don't drink the Kool-Aid, and I'm beginning to wonder if we've been looking a gift horse in the mouth with Lime Rock Park...just sayin'... - GA

[jjjanos]

- Using DLBRacing instead of the registration system that the rest of the division uses;

At least two Regions assigned to NEDIV do not use the NESCCA website.
There is a link on the hosting Region's website.



- Requiring payment *in advance*; with
- a $30 cancellation (uh, sorry, "administration") fee.

Neither of which is out of the ordinary and SOP for the events I've entered, both in NEDIV and SEDIV. A quick check of the supps posted on the NESCCA site indicates that many regions require prepayment and hold funds for cancellation AND some do not promise ANY refund for withdrawals.


- A track with a $250 test day fee if paid in advance by yesterday or $350 afterwards and zero refund if canceled within a week???

Summit Point is $225 and its a dump. Nelson is $150 and it's what's produced when you dump. Brand new track, smooth paving, good facilities - yep, that shouldn't be more than what Summit charges. The zero refund is harsh, but the answer is easy - cancel before the week comes.


Just one question: does NJMP and South Jersey Region realize that the economy's heading for the sh**er, energy prices are approaching double what they were a year ago, and now's REALLY not the best time to be asking for a lot more money and inconvenience from the racers?

What inconvenience? What extra money? It's a brand new facility that, based on VIR, will put EVERY track in NEDIV to shame. You get what you pay for and even then they overcharge you. Racing at Summit is less expensive, but the pavement is crap and the facilities, even when brand new, looked old and worn.

What control does SJR have over the fee it needs to charge to rent the track? SJR isn't a racing region. I'm betting dollars to donuts that the Region needs to cash the checks and process the credit cards to keep its track rental check from entering orbit from the bounce.

In short, I think you need to have some cheddar to go with the zinfindel.

[Greg Amy]

In short, I think you need to have some cheddar to go with the zinfindel.
JJ, as always you don't what the *** you speak.

- I've never had to use DLB to sign up for a race in NEDiv before. Ever. And I've race here since 1992. The *only* times I've ever used DLB was for the ARRC and ITFest (in case you're unaware, they're in Atlanta and Ohio, respectively). That's in 24 total years of racing.

- Only ONCE in racing up in NEDiv have I been required to pre-pay for a race. Once. And it was 3 years ago. NNJR Region, as I recall, and it may have been one of the NARRCoffs. All other regions in NEDiv (that, BTW, use the NESCCA system) allow you to select a little radio button that says "Pay at the track". Which, BTW, results in no cancellation fee.

- Registrars that I spoke to PREFER it that way: it encourages drivers to enter in advance (because cancellation is easier with less hassle), thus reducing their workload, and they don't have to spend a lot of time processing cancellations and refunds. And, it futher reduces their workload because it discourages late entries. Did I say this also reduces their workload (which is "more convenient", and not a bad idea for volunteers)?

- NHMS's test fee is $150. For a full day of track test time. And you don't have to pay until you show up. With a check. And, if you break in the AM session they'll give you a refund for the PM session (without a cancellation fee). Lime Rock is $225. Also not in advance, and also without a cancellation fee.

In short, I think you need to keep quiet (or get off the Internet and to a race track more often). - GA

P.S., Don't expect me to get into one of your classic point-by-point-by-point-by-point, ad nausea, tit-for-tat, Furious Typer (http://redwing.hutman.net/%7Emreed/warriorshtm/furioustyper.htm) Internet forum arguments. You're wrong. And I'm not going to spend a lot of time trying to out-type you.

[jjjanos]

Whine about doing something different for registration

DC Region has never used NESCCA. If you pay by CC, it gets processed immediately and automatically. You cancel? You get a refund. You don't show up at the track and haven't cancelled? You loose $50. Paying by check? If you don't want a late fee or your registration cancelled, you have to pay within 5 days of entering.

Some Glen area regions keep a processing fee too.

MHV didn't even promise to give a refund for its National.


whining about the test fee

BFD. You break at Summit, chances are you get squat unless they are in a good mood and you ask. Lime Rock is $25 freaking dollars less expensive! NHIS is less because it's at the end of the world. NJMP is within a early AM drive of DC, Bal, Philly, NYC.


In short, I think you
...are whining because someone doesn't do it like NER.

[benspeed]

Easy guys - it's the first race there. Let's do the event and then constructively summarize what we can do better next time. Lot's of stuff will not go smoothly and there will be options to improve how we do things - but bitching now isn't helping to create a positive perception of the track or attendence.

SJR hasn't had a track to run events on - we should pile on the help like never before. Not "pile on". Making criticism is easy...making it constructive is what matters.

I'll bring an extra case of Heineken and hand out cold ones to people who had a bad day. I bet I still have a full case on Sunday night :-)

[dickita15]

I agree Ben, these guys got worked up fast.
Regions do have to realize they are in a competitive environment. I understand that SNJR is a start up as a racing region and maybe the risk is too high to allow people to pay at the gate but every time you add a rule that makes it more of an inconvenience for the customer it is a little less reason for the customer to support you.
WDC has had a bit of a captive audience and has been able to get away with rules that I have always felt were a little onerous and maybe a little silly. If NJMP takes off that may hurt WDC’s entries.
The fact of the matter is there are lots of races available in July. Why would any sponsoring club want to make it harder for the customer than it has to be?

[Terry Hanushek]

Greg


Hmmmm....I see we're starting off on the right foot here:

- Using DLBRacing instead of the registration system that the rest of the division uses;
- Requiring payment *in advance*; with
- a $30 cancellation (uh, sorry, "administration") fee. Plus,
- A track with a $250 test day fee if paid in advance by yesterday or $350 afterwards and zero refund if canceled within a week???

I realize that you are interested in getting things off on the right foot and I can assure you that the South Jersey Region is working very hard to do so also. I can appreciate that not all of the aspects of this event are the same as you have experienced in your area but our region is attempting to blend various ideas into a solid event.

Our choice of the DLB system was driven in large part by our close relationship with the DC Region and the support that they are providing us. The DC registrars are actively mentoring our region's registrar using the system that has been very successful in their region. As a courtesy to our competitors, there is a direct link from the NESCCA registration site to our event registration. Minimum change for entrants and a new registrar quickly getting up to speed, I'm not seeing a problem here.

You are NOT required to make payment *in advance*. As a convenience to our entrants, we have made arrangements to accept credit cards (and pay the associated bank fees). Both the Supps and the registration form clearly indicate that you may pay by credit card or check. If you chose, you can register online and bring a check to registration.

A $30 administrative or cancellation fee is not out of line for an event of this type; a commercial enterprise would probably have a higher fee. There are costs involved in a cancellation including the bank fees that the region was assessed for the canceling driver's original credit card payment. The region is asking the driver withdrawing from the event to share these costs rather than passing them on to the drivers that are able to attend the event.

The test day is being promoted by the track with no input or participation by the region. These fees are undoubtedly higher than the region would have set but the track has its own business plan and revenue objectives. This is the first test day of any sort at NJMP. I would expect market forces may impact their testing fees.


Just one question: does NJMP and South Jersey Region realize that the economy's heading for the sh**er, energy prices are approaching double what they were a year ago, and now's REALLY not the best time to be asking for a lot more money and inconvenience from the racers?

Obviously, neither the South Jersey Region nor NJMP have any control of the economy. However, we both have our own expenses to meet. The developers of NJMP are investing a considerable sum to bring a new, first class track to NEDiv. This type of investment will dictate that the costs here will be greater than at older, fully amortized tracks.

The South Jersey and Northern New Jersey regions will be cooperating to present a series of four 2008 events at this exciting new facility. I hope you will be able to join us.

See ya at the races


Terry Hanushek
South Jersey Region

[dominojd]

You are NOT required to make payment *in advance*.

The test day is being promoted by the track with no input or participation by the region. These fees are undoubtedly higher than the region would have set but the track has its own business plan and revenue objectives. This is the first test day of any sort at NJMP. I would expect market forces may impact their testing fees.



I wish it was listed that you could pay at the track. I would have preferred doing that instaed of usin a CC. I guess adding a line in the supps stating can pay by check at track would end the confusion.

Also Terry I see you are on the forum frequently. Maybe you could help us out. I actually called NJMP yesterday about the test day. I talked to a Joe Volner or Wolner something like that and asked if they could extent the deadline for the test day. Basically told him if we (the racers) could save a few bucks and the track would make a few bucks then everyone would be happy. Well he said he would talk to the boss and call me back, I am still waiting since 10 am yesterday. Talk about starting off on the wrong foot. :rolleyes: Maybe you could put a call in, maybe they might call you back.

[Greg Amy]

Terry, thanks for taking the time to respond. A couple of points.


You are NOT required to make payment *in advance*. As a convenience to our entrants, we have made arrangements to accept credit cards.
How is paying by credit card not paying in advance? I'm confident you're charging the cards at time of entry, and I'm confident my credit card company will require payment if my card comes due prior to the event. I I cancel I lose use of those funds until they are returned (minus a $30 fee).


If you chose, you can register online and bring a check to registration.
That's good to hear, Terry, however the supps read as follows:
Registration is not complete or guaranteed until payment in full is received. Payment may be made with Paypal, mailed to the registrar with a paper entry or mailed separately if registering online.
This does not necessarily "jive" with what you're saying here. But, if I choose this option of bringing a check with me to registration, how am I affected by the "not complete or guaranteed" clause, and if cancel my registration am I still subject to a cancellation fee? And how would you collect it?


A $30 administrative or cancellation fee is not out of line for an event of this type; a commercial enterprise would probably have a higher fee. There are costs involved in a cancellation including the bank fees that the region was assessed for the canceling driver's original credit card payment.
Well, this is not a commercial enterprise...And, if you didn't require prepayment then there wouldn't be cancellation fees to the region...

Terry, when I re-think my initial thoughts on the subject, as described yesterday, I think the part that bothers me the most is the requirement for prepayment and the cancellation fees. Maybe the vast majority of the club racers have excellent cash flow, and they can plan their lives weeks (or more) in advance, but as my close friends know I have a lot of irons in the fire in my life, with racing being a lower item on the priority pole than many others. I am perfectly happy with pre-registering online to give the registrar a "head's-up" that I'm likely to show, but that does not guarantee I can or will. Thus, I REALLY don't appreciate being required to pre-pay for an event when if, for whatever reason, my life changes a few days in advance. Instead of simply sending an email to the registrar to let him/her know I can't make it (which I've ALWAYS done) I now have to deal with pulling an entry and waiting for someone to return my money (and having part of it withheld from me).

The whole point of a pre-registration discount is to encourage drivers to enter early, in order to give the registrar the opportunity to get a lot of work done in advance of the event. However, if this new-to-us system in terms of late entry and cancellation fees is the way things are going to be from now on then, at least to me, that incentive is lost; you've effectively increased my entry costs because I will choose to paper-register at the track (increasing the registrar's workload as well as my costs).

If, however, I am to infer that, in deference to the supps, I can actually register with DLB online and bring a check to the track (with no real no loss in terms of the validity of my entry), and as a result I won't be charged a late fee if I cancel in advance of the event by notifying the registrar (which, again, I ALWAYS do), then it's a wash, and I'm OK with that. However, short of your explicit approval of this behavior, I'm doubtful that's what's intended or allowed.

As for the track's charges and choices, you're right: market forces will win. To that end, they're not getting my entry; scratch that marginal revenue from their books.

Terry, again, thanks for taking the time to address my concerns, I appreciate your clarifications.

Greg

[Chris Humphrey]

I was at a local race parts store here in Warminster, PA(A-1 Racing) buying new roll bar padding and the guy working informed me that they have a new law in NJ requiring the use of the SFI rated high density padding for all race cars racing in NJ.

Can anyone confirm this?

[wdether]

I was at a local race parts store here in Warminster, PA(A-1 Racing) buying new roll bar padding and the guy working informed me that they have a new law in NJ requiring the use of the SFI rated high density padding for all race cars racing in NJ.

Can anyone confirm this?

The regulations governing motor vehicle racing in New Jersey is covered under New Jersey Administrative Code (NJAC) Title 13 (Law and Public Safety) Chapter 62 (Motor Vehicle Race Track Rules) and can be found at: http://www.njsp.org/info/pdf/racing_regulations.pdf. I am not aware of any recent rule updates.

Road racing is covered under Subchapter 3 (Safety Requirements for Vehicles and Personnel: Road Racing and High Performance Driving Schools). Each type of racing (oval, drag racing, etc.) has its own subchapter.

After a quick glance through the rule, I could not find any reference to a requirement for SFI rollbar padding. Of course this is unofficial, and every driver is responsible for meeting the requirements of the rule (official disclaimer). I strongly suggest/urge everyone look through the rules since they apply to all. A section of the rule to remember is:



§ 13:62-3.9 Inspection of vehicles
(a) Vehicles participating in an event by a sanctioning
organization must meet all technical guidelines set forth by
that organization.
(b) Any vehicles to be used in a race or other type of
driving event are subject to unannounced inspection and approval
at any time, for compliance with this chapter, by the
Superintendent or designee.

This requirement is mentioned in the Supps in item 16, which of course everyone reads before the race. :)

[erlrich]

But, if I choose this option of bringing a check with me to registration, how am I affected by the "not complete or guaranteed" clause, and if cancel my registration am I still subject to a cancellation fee? And how would you collect it?
I'm not sure about SJR, but I can tell you that for the DC Region events if you register and choose to pay at the track with a check DLB does not even recognize your registration. I don't know for certain, but I take that to mean that neither your entry nor your car number are reserved, and if someone chooses to come in after you and pay at the time of registration they could take both your number and, in the case of a full field, you slot. The end result is that you have a shitload of racers who, rather than register early and pay at the track, wait until the last day to register, which IMO sorta defeats the purpose of early registration. But since we've used DLB in the DC region for as long as I can remember I guess we've gotten used to it.

One thing the DC Region does which SNJ apparently has chosen not to, is to allow you to cancel any time before Friday evening (I believe the cutoff is like 5pm?) the weekend of the event without paying a cancellation fee. And even then, if you come to the track and register, and then withdraw, there is no cancellation fee.

[Andy Bettencourt]

Can the DLB 'owners' program in a 'pay at track' option like on the NESCCA site? To me, it's the only beef I would have.

We have know all along that NJMP was going to be an expensive venue. See my comments in man of the 'screw LRP' threads started by others.

;)

AB

[jjjanos]

Twelve days out and only 97 cars entered so far...

Inquiring minds want to know whether this thing is going to happen with so few cars and, if we run with so few...

what are the possibilities of adding extra sessions (either gratis or at a fee)?

Cars are already there and a huge part of the cost is the tow/hotel/food/leave time...

[Brian Holtz]

I was there on 6/28 performing the track review for SCCA. You guys really need to sign up for this event. The track is very nice. Fast and smooth with lots of runoff room, no gravel traps, excellent tire walls, just in case. Plenty of paddock space. South Jersey Region is working hard tio make this first event a good one. Don't miss it!

[Andy Bettencourt]

Is it possible there are a lot of paper entries? 106 as of now...

[erlrich]

Just to correct my earlier post - apparently for this event DLB does acknowledge your registration if you opt for payment by check. I just registered, and my entry does show up on the list. So if you're planning on going, and want to reserve your car number I would say sign up now.

[andrew240z]

We are trying to get as many entries as we can for this race, a good turnout is important for the region. We have a rental bmw 87 325is(spec e30 prep level) available for the weekend. Special rate applies for this weekend only, arrive and drive. email with questions or call [email protected]

www.drive-gear.com (http://www.drive-gear.com)

[Tigaman]

The braking zone for T1 on the pit straight rises gently at the end, compressing braking and working the car's suspension well. Wait until you feel the compression on the straight before actuating the brakes.

Decisively turn in for T1 and know that the uphill entry allows more mechanical grip than you might expect. At turn in, apply 10-30% power and add steering input as the road rises, with the goal of touching the first half of the curb with your right front, getting the wheel as straight as you can as the car lightens at the crest. Make sure the car tracks all the way to the left curb and is parallel with it at the exit. Foot down!

Breathe or brush brakes and bend the car through the fast right T3 under power, touching as much of the curb as possible and allowing the car to slide out driver's left to create a straight line braking zone on a diagonal from the right to the left, setting up for the tighter right turn T4. Braking is at least as heavy here as it is for T1, so brake hard in a shorter distance rather than gentler, longer. You should not be close to the beginning of the apex curb for T4, if anything the apex is at the very end of the curb. Good place for brake-turning to make the car do more of the work.

The exit of T4 is sacrificed to position the car properly for the entry to the quicker left T5. The car should never be positioned further than one third track width from the right edge of the road in the short straight between T4 and T5.

This next left, T5, is more open than T4 and your goal is to optimize exit speed from T5 for the straight run up to the challenging uphill cresting T6. Be sure you use ALL of the road at the exit of T5 on the right for the earliest possible throttle application. Get out to the curb and drive around the gentle right sweep, touching the right hand curbing for it's full length and afterwards, progressing on a diagonal from the right side curbing to the left aiming for the curbing on the left side marking the turn-in for the entry of T6.

If you are successful getting all the way to the left on the flat and the gentle rise leading up to the curbing on the left, brake less than you think you ought to and turn in decisively deeper, towards the end of the pavement and not before, touching most of the inside right hand apex curbing for T6. As the road rises, add steering input to orient the car for a tighter exit so it may slide across the face of the crest and track out gently to the exit curb as you release steering. The track width is greater at the exit than at the entry, so USE it.

Often in T7, especially in smaller, less powerful and lighter cars, it is not necessary to track out full track left through the long right sweeper leading up to the bridge. Be careful in a big, heavy and more powerful car touching the right side inside curbing too soon as that will require more steering input longer through the sweeper and will prevent getting the car straight for the most effective braking for T8. In a smaller, lighter car, just hug the right curb and as soon as the car is straight, brake hard for the third time in the lap. Use the bridge as your permanent landmark to initiate braking before or at.

For T8, most cars drop one too many gears here. There is some superelevation (banking) present and the exit is more open than you think, so try and preserve good speed through T8. Avoid the temptation to "crab in" and under no circumstances touch the apex curbing at T8 before the middle with your left front wheel. This is the most common "early apex" of the course. T8 is a very important turn because the straight leading through the gentle left bend T9 is of significant length. Make sure you track out all the way to the last three quarters of the exit curb at T8 and bend the car to the left gently and over the crest at T9 on the left edge of the road, aiming at the left end of the soundproofing wall. You will need to shift up and back down for T10, Lightbulb.

For Lightbulb, the most important and valuable knowledge is that the track is banked as much as 15 degrees throughout this long, long "carousel" turn, with the curbing at the bottom two-thirds to three-quarters of the way through being the place to place the car closest to the bottom. It's best to enter "high" and progress from the outer three-quarters of the width of the track at the beginning to halfway slightly more than halfway through and place the right front tire against the last half of the curbing, tracking out and "releasing" the car all the way drivers left at the exit.

As the car sweeps gently to the right, make certain that you position the car far right over the last blind crest on the lap to allow any pavement change not to upset the car. Allow the car to track left as you proceed over the crest and down the pit straight, lining up on the left for another approach to T1. That's a "Hot Lap" of the new NJMP Lightning Raceway!

-Courtesy Krause & Associates LLC-

[benspeed]

Thanks Tigaman - Printing this out and bringing with me.

[Terry Hanushek]

Only one week to go until SCCA road racing returns to New Jersey for the first time in over 40 years. The Inaugural Lightning Challenge regional races will be held on the NJMP Lightning Course on 19-20 July. Enter now to become part of this historic event - you will never get a second chance to enter the first race.

Since there are three separate NEDiv events on the weekend before the Lightning Challenge, the South Jersey Region has decided to eliminate the late registration fee for anyone using our online registration.

Peter, thanks for the video and the tutorial - great stuff

Hope to see you there


Terry Hanushek
South Jersey Region

[Greg Amy]

I'm in, for both ITS and DP.

Note that if you also entered DP, you'd get some pretty good additional track time for less cost than the test day, in advance of your "regular" group, now there's no late fee, and you can pay at the gate...

Hey, just sayin'...

GA

[andrew240z]

I just got back home from running the enduro with Emra. The track is fast and fun, and the facilities are good. There was a lot of food vendors and tons of beer vendors too :happy204:. the paddock is big and their are a lot of power hookups. I think its important to come out and support this event. We need to focus on the bigger picture and not worry about the small stuff. This is SJ's first event and there is bound to be some hiccups and we should understand and try to help however we can. The important part is that we have a great facility here and its going to serve us well for a long time.......

[JamesB]

I wont be racing as the budget is set for the year and I cannot push myself over it. But john did convince me to come up and work EV.

[hunter164]

We are heading down from New Hampshire with the BB Racing Miata so Brandon can continue the trek to the top. We have an empty spot in the trailer right now so if anyone is interested in hitching a ride down in an enclosed trailer let us know. $375 gets you there if you are interested, shoot me an email greg at bbracingusa dot com. :eclipsee_steering:

[JLawton]

Coming out of the "Light Bulb" (??) on to the main straight, there seems to be a kink in the track where the natural line takes you back across the track, like Lime Rock's back straight. I see potential problems with a faster car trying to stick their nose in trying to make the pass to the inside and having the slower car not see it coming.

Were there any problems with this at any of the other events?

[monsterbronco]

Any ITS Rx7s need someone to help out for the weekend?

I have a semi built to rules 91 that i would like to start racing in a few years in the northeast and would like to get out to meet some of you guys. shoot me a message.

[dazzlesa]

leaving from nyc. when is a good time to drive down? friday afternoon? sat am? i know alot of people go towards the beaches.

[Andy Bettencourt]

Any ITS Rx7s need someone to help out for the weekend?

I have a semi built to rules 91 that i would like to start racing in a few years in the northeast and would like to get out to meet some of you guys. shoot me a message.

Find the Flatout paddock...you might see some stuff you like!

[Wreckerboy]

leaving from nyc. when is a good time to drive down? friday afternoon? sat am? i know alot of people go towards the beaches.

There is no good time. Beach and getaway traffic on Friday is godawful. It actually starts on Thursday in the summer(this coming from a person who commutes daily from LI to central NJ). Probably a better bet to get up at o'dark thirty on Saturday morning and head on down. Sunday night coming home will be no better - the Turnpuke will be bad up to exit 6 (the Pennsy 'Pike) and spectacularly bad beyond there.

Hint: grab a map and look for Route 130, which parallels the NJ Turnpuke for most of the length of the trip from Route 52 up to around exit 8A. Although it is a local road with lights and whathaveyou, it does tend to work better than the turnpike on a Sunday night.

[monsterbronco]

Andy i sent you an email. thanks

Wes

[Greg Amy]

Hey, Rob, sinc eI'm coming from CT I'm going to be using I-287. Is there a better route from there than 287 all the way to the Pike? Maybe I should grab 130 from 287 and try that...

GA, leaving in 3-ish hours with a 28' foot trailer, and dreading the rest of my day...

[kakarot]

Its going to be pain coming to njmp from Brooklyn.
SI always heavy on traffic <_<

[tdw6974]

Since we can't make this event I will expect everyone to have the best route figured out by the August event including,Places to buy Diesel cheap great resturants and stops along the way:D At this point it looks like ny 17/86 east to 81 south to Ne extension of PA pike to East West Pike. From there on I started to cry when looking at the map from there on down :eek:. TW

[JLawton]

ITA Results

Branscombe
DiMinno
Bettencourt
Brault

But Andy blew up his engine in qualifying
Lawton wasted the tranny (after turning the fastest lap of the day in practice with a 1:17.6..... :D )

[Tkczecheredflag]

How did the weekend finish up?

[dazzlesa]

Itb
Rick
Ken
Nat


Itc
Beth Burkhard
Michael Shellenberger
Meg Meyer

[Greg Amy]

ITR
-Dave Maynard (and overall)
-Robert Thiele
-John Alexandropoulas

ITS
-Matt Rooke
-Jeff Harding
-Greg Amy (5th overall!)

ITA
-Geoff Branscombe, by a mile
-Joe DiMinno, on a flat tire for three laps (They don't call him "crazy" for nuttin'...)
-John Branscombe, who did a "Dave Gran" and didn't report to impound, thus was DQ'd (ALWAYS report to impound if you're not sure. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS!!!)
-Doc Breault for the third!

Quick notes:
- HOT, HOT, HOT, HOT, HOT weekend. Broiling hot.
- Neat track, seriously rewards bravery, trust in the race car, and consistent momentum. It's also a power track.
- DIRT AND DUST!!! I know it's new, and I know they're trying to grow grass in that sandy soil (we called that place the "Hair Club for Men" because of the planted grasses). But, it's this very fine dust that gets everywhere, and ANY dropping of wheels, even the slightest, causes a massive seriously opaque dust cloud to drift across the track. This is EXTREMELY dangerous: several times I went into a blind cloud at speed and could not - literally - see the front of my car. Unless dust control is addressed pronto I expect we're going to see a pretty serious accident there.
- ROCKS!!! Where there wasn't dust, there was gravel across the track. Dropping off a wheel (guilty!), even the slightest, shot handfulls of these marble-sized round rocks onto the surface.

More importantly, the event ran silky smooth. SNJR and all stewards, volunteers, etc should pat themselves on the back for an event well-run. If you had landed here from another planet, not knowing this was a new track, you'd never know they were working with a new-to-them facility. Terry did a great job keeping it all together and even, upon recognizing our laps were faster than expected, increased our race length by 20%.

In summary, a neat track, a "Mecca" in terms of value-priced hotels, food, stores, fuel costs, friendly townsfolk. A PITA to get to from CT (NJ roads SUCK!!!) though well worth the drive.

Big thumbs-up to all! - GA

[gran racing]

LOL! At least with me, the announcer on the PA system said I finished 6th. Top 5 to impound? Live and learn.

Did any get a chance to look at the Thunderbolt track while there?

Nice job with the win Rick.

[JamesB]

It was interesting to say the least. It's a nice facility, and I am sure they will work out the little kinks over time. But man was it HOT. I must have drank 3 cases of water while on station that weekend. I was convinced by the WDCR EV chiefs to come up and work with the local EV crew. They are really willing to learn and they are doing well. I hope to see that program continue to grow and finally get to turn a wheel on the courses.

[andrew240z]

Hats off to the SJ crew, they did a great job putting this event together. It was really run very well. The track is fun and GA is right about the dust, I almost came to a complete stop at one point because I couldnt see through the dust. It was great so see a lot of familiar faces and meet some new people. Cant wait for the next one! Their was no access that I could find to the other track. It will be open the first week of August so the wait isnt long.

[Doc Bro]

Good weekend. HOT is the understatement of the year!! Qualified 3rd with a gift from AB. Had a great start and was in 10th by turn 2- started 16th, with only 2 cars separating Joe and I. Then it happened....I got absolutely punted by an ITS car in the left hander after the bridge on the first lap!! Reentered the track in 22nd.....finished 11th, 4th in ITA. John was DQ'd for being light by 150# (not for not showing), so net result was 3rd. However if I hadn't gotten punted would have easily been 2nd....(sorry Joe there was no way you'd hold me off for 3 laps with only 3 tires and a 2-3 sec differential:p)

Good track but 8+ hours to get home, makes this a tough decision to return. How do people in NY elect to sit in that traffic daily????


R

[kevin22]

Great weekend, but I was wondering why they waive the yellow flag every time a car put a wheel off and kicked up a dust cloud. I could see the dust cloud from a half mile away so I didn't the flag for that, But would have been nice to know, was the flag waiving beacuse of dust? or was their a car on the otherside of the dust?
In the future I would only like to see a waiving yellow if a car is there, we can see the dust for ourselves.
oh-yeah, how about the checkered flag umbrella over the starters.

Great weekend and loved the fast results, they had the time sheets on the board before we were out of the car.

[sccaflagger74]

Just as you can't see if a car is still in the dust cloud neither can those of us standing at the flag station, hence the flag. When the dust dissipates enough that we can confirm the track is clear we drop the flag.

Before the gravel trap and curbing went in at 3 at Summit we had this problem all the time. Dust clouds would envelop the entire the track there. I hope NJMP will see the dust problem from this weekend (and presumably other events) and put in some larger curbing. I worked the entrance to the lightbulb and I heard from several drivers that the bottom 2 or 3 feet of the track were covered with sand but we had no way of seeing it from our station. Wider and slighly higher curbing to keep cars on the asphalt should fix the the problem in the Lightbulb.

Bob
back to F&C thanks to NJMP after a 4 year break

[jjjanos]

Great weekend, but I was wondering why they waive the yellow flag every time a car put a wheel off and kicked up a dust cloud. I could see the dust cloud from a half mile away so I didn't the flag for that, But would have been nice to know, was the flag waiving beacuse of dust? or was their a car on the otherside of the dust?

General rule for flaggers is that, if you, the flagger, cannot see through the dust, you assume a car is there until either you can see clear traffic or the downstream station tells you that you are clear. As a flagger, I prefer this because it eliminates the recriminations of "if I had only put up a flag for that dust cloud" and as a driver, I like it too because it tells me that if I see dust, no flag and have no visibility... the course is clear.

My beef is that I saw a yellow for 3 laps during my race for a car pulled off by the barrier in the light bulb. Hanging a yellow that long for a car I have ALREADY seen will make me ignore your flag vis-a-vis displaying caution. Get the driver out ASAP or, given the location this car was sitting, if the driver stays in the car - one lap then green.

I give SJR two thumbs up for the event. I hope NJMP moves the 20+ green rooms from the one (far) corner of the paddock into the rest of the paddock.

[jimalley]

Great facility, well run event as others have stated. I really enjoyed myself, even in the extreme heat.

I had problems with the shift points. It was either over revving the engine on the front straight or shifting to fifth just befor the braking zone and messing up the downshift:o I weny from fifth to second once on Saturday and figured my weekend was over. I don't want to start another discussion but the M----'s are very forgiving in the stock configuration.

Great racing and I hope I was aware enough that everyone had plenty of room to get by. I felt very comfortable with the side by side racing as this group is very predictable.

Anyone who has a "final Race Sheet" that would be willing to scan it and PM it to me would be appreciated. We left soon after the race, as it was a long journey back to New Hampshire.

I will go back again if they build onother bridge over the Hudson! The GW is something else. How do people live this everyday?

[sccaflagger74]

My beef is that I saw a yellow for 3 laps during my race for a car pulled off by the barrier in the light bulb. Hanging a yellow that long for a car I have ALREADY seen will make me ignore your flag vis-a-vis displaying caution. Get the driver out ASAP or, given the location this car was sitting, if the driver stays in the car - one lap then green.

I only worked the light bulb on Saturday so I take no blame for that car pulled off! :D

[Greg Amy]

I hope NJMP will see the dust problem from this weekend (and presumably other events) and put in some larger curbing.
Which brings to mind a couple of track-related issues (and I know I owe these to Daryl via email):

1) Is it just me, or was pretty much almost all of the curbing - entrance, apex, and exit - in the wrong place? I consistently found myself at the leading or trailing edge of almost every curb out there! I honestly don't think I was in the middle of an apex or turn-in/exit curb more than a handful of times...

2) The "entrance to the track" thing has gotta change. It flat-ass doesn't work.

For reference to those that weren't there, there's a long entrance road to get to the track "gate", a tall chain-link fence. Track security was there to get folks to sign their waiver and get a track wristband. So far, so good. However, the registration shack was about 50 feet inside that chain link fence, and track security was not letting folks go past them to get there! EVERYONE HAD TO WAIT ON THE ACCESS ROAD, with their rigs, waiting for the folks at registration to have a window open, so that the next 2-3 rigs could be let in to sign the track waiver and THEN proceed to SCCA registration. And, no one was allowed to leave their rigs to walk in to register

Then, to make matters worse, all the folks that had already gone through track security the day before (having run the test day) were coming out from the paddock to register, and track security wouldn't allow anyone in the access road to get in until they finished! We sat out on the access road for damn near an hour waiting to get in; again, they wouldn't even let us walk in, sign the track waiver, then walk the 100 feet to SCCA reg! Not too long after there was a minor mutiny where folks simply left their rigs, walked past security, and got the SCCA wristbands, driving the track folks into a tizzy...

Greg's suggestion: the track's main concern is ensuring everyone signs the track waiver and gets a wristband; fine, I gots'a no prob with that. So, once we've done that, how about letting us proceed past the SCCA registration and on into the paddock (remember, we're all liablity-waived and all that) and then we can work our way back to SCCA reg? That'll clear the access road and registration will filter itself in as available.

Suggestion, alternate: how about letting everyone sign the waiver and get the track band (see above) and let everybondy park their rigs INSIDE in the nice, large parking space inside the fence, behind the tollgates? That'll clear the access road and registration will filter itself in as available. If you're worried about someone getting into the paddock with registering with SCCA (can't imagine why you care) then you can station another guard there looking for SCCA wristbands.

Suggestion, alternate #2: let the folks sitting on their butts on the access road walk up, sign your waiver and get the wristband, and walk the 50 feet to the SCCA registration, and get the process all done? That'll clear the access road MUCH faster than making them sit there...

And for wristbands, a minor nit: once we have the SCCA one, no need to make us wear the track one. Recall that we can't get the SCCA one unless we previously got the track one (reg is inside the track) so they're redundant...

Other than that? No other major issues.

[lateapex911]

I will go back again if they build on other bridge over the Hudson! The GW is something else. How do people live this everyday?

Tappan Zee. It's longer, but it avoids the Cross Bronx, (Hell on Trailers) and the general NY gridlock mess. and with no tolls going west, it generally moves along. Coming back on Sunday can be rough, but if you are a mid to late race group, I imagine you'd miss the bad stuff and sail through.

[kakarot]

Some pictures
http://picasaweb.google.com/kakarot1232001/NJMPLightningRaceJul202008

[mowog]

Sorry I can't remember who finished where in DP (don't have the results with me), but Jeff Harding won. Congratulatins! Glad you guys were running two races, group 1 certainly was better because of the additions.

I loved the track. They certainly made the most of the elevation they had to work with. It's not difficult to learn how to get around the track, yet it is challenging and will take time to get the most out of it. Note to self - do NOT even glance at those huge mega dollar jets landing when you are heading up the hill....

My .02 on the event....kudos to SJR and the track for a very successful first event. There are some things to work on, mostly by the track management I think. The negatives were few though. Arm bands - I ended up with 4 wrist bands and got another for the ATV. I received one Thursday evening and was told by the track staff I must keep it on all weekend to enter the track (yellow/white). I was given another for Friday's practice session (red/white for BB group). On Friday morning, I was given yet another (green/white), the guy at the gate didn't know anything about the yellow one. SCCA gave me a solid red one. I got a red/white for the ATV - darn, could have used the test day one if I had only known LOL :). Some crew weren't allowed to go onto pit lane because they didn't have the SCCA band AND some other color (blue or green I think). When one person went back to registration, they didn't know anything about this. Yeah, teething problem to work out (not unexpected). Actually I was laughing at the collection I had, wondering how many different colors and combinations they must have purchased....Prices - $12 for ice, $9 for a slushy fruit drink, etc. On the other hand, there were vendors, and they needed to be sure they would at least break even, so not much of a negative I guess. Probably my biggest complaint regarding prices was the extra $100 for the test day if you didn't sign up in time... NJ rules and laws - one time it was OK to be on the false grid with shorts, the next time it wasn't. :blink: During lunch (no cars, no traffic, no workers), I was stopped from setting up a beacon because I was wearing shorts. OK, so now I know, but it did seem over the top at lunch and on the false grid.....Dust - they need some fast growing grass to keep the dust down. Someone said showers will be added next year. It's a luxury, so no negatives on this one, but it certainly will be a big plus, especially considering how dusty everyone was....Practice groups - should have been split up better, but at least they did make some changes (original schedule was SRF and formula in one group, big bore (AS, T1, T2, big GT) in another, and everything else in one group (all Miata's, all IT, SS, prod, GTL, SPU, etc). In other words, one small group, one medium group with incompatible cars (SRF's were later given their own group after several incidents), and one huge group. Several of us were allowed to run with BB, which helped.

On the plus sign, there were two sets of flush toilets at either end of the facility, and the rooms were air conditioned. I considered moving in there for the weekend but the car wouldn't fit thru the door.

All in all, an impressive start, so again, kudos to everyone.

[dominojd]

itb
Rick
Ken
Nat




Nice! :d

[mowog]

oh-yeah, how about the checkered flag umbrella over the starters.

Brief note about that....the permanent starter stand wasn't up yet, so no roof or shade (did anyone mention it was sunny and HOT? :)) I happened to be on pit lane and noticed them putting up the umbrella, immediately worried that some might notice and momentarily be distracted. I mentioned this to them, and they did consider the possibility, but at that point they didn't have anything else. All agreed something was necessary (we really don't want a started to fall off the stand due to heat stroke, do we). I talked to three people in that run group, not one took notice of the checkered umbrella. However later, Beth and John Burkhard loaned them a blue and white umbrella because it was a potentially better choice, and they did make the change.

[lateapex911]

is the concern that someone might get the umbrella and a checkered flag confused, and stop on lap one?

Boy, if we have racers that dumb, we need to re-examine our requirements for a license! :shrug: ;)

[wdether]

Sorry I can't remember who finished where in DP (don't have the results with me), but Jeff Harding won. Congratulatins! Glad you guys were running two races, group 1 certainly was better because of the additions.

I loved the track. They certainly made the most of the elevation they had to work with. It's not difficult to learn how to get around the track, yet it is challenging and will take time to get the most out of it. Note to self - do NOT even glance at those huge mega dollar jets landing when you are heading up the hill....

My .02 on the event....kudos to SJR and the track for a very successful first event. There are some things to work on, mostly by the track management I think. The negatives were few though. Arm bands - I ended up with 4 wrist bands and got another for the ATV. I received one Thursday evening and was told by the track staff I must keep it on all weekend to enter the track (yellow/white). I was given another for Friday's practice session (red/white for BB group). On Friday morning, I was given yet another (green/white), the guy at the gate didn't know anything about the yellow one. SCCA gave me a solid red one. I got a red/white for the ATV - darn, could have used the test day one if I had only known LOL :). Some crew weren't allowed to go onto pit lane because they didn't have the SCCA band AND some other color (blue or green I think). When one person went back to registration, they didn't know anything about this. Yeah, teething problem to work out (not unexpected). Actually I was laughing at the collection I had, wondering how many different colors and combinations they must have purchased....Prices - $12 for ice, $9 for a slushy fruit drink, etc. On the other hand, there were vendors, and they needed to be sure they would at least break even, so not much of a negative I guess. Probably my biggest complaint regarding prices was the extra $100 for the test day if you didn't sign up in time... NJ rules and laws - one time it was OK to be on the false grid with shorts, the next time it wasn't. :blink: During lunch (no cars, no traffic, no workers), I was stopped from setting up a beacon because I was wearing shorts. OK, so now I know, but it did seem over the top at lunch and on the false grid.....Dust - they need some fast growing grass to keep the dust down. Someone said showers will be added next year. It's a luxury, so no negatives on this one, but it certainly will be a big plus, especially considering how dusty everyone was....Practice groups - should have been split up better, but at least they did make some changes (original schedule was SRF and formula in one group, big bore (AS, T1, T2, big GT) in another, and everything else in one group (all Miata's, all IT, SS, prod, GTL, SPU, etc). In other words, one small group, one medium group with incompatible cars (SRF's were later given their own group after several incidents), and one huge group. Several of us were allowed to run with BB, which helped.

On the plus sign, there were two sets of flush toilets at either end of the facility, and the rooms were air conditioned. I considered moving in there for the weekend but the car wouldn't fit thru the door.

All in all, an impressive start, so again, kudos to everyone.

I agree with everyone that it was hot, hot, hot.

I have not seen Thunderbolt up close and plan on attending the SVRA event (first public event) on August 7 - 10 to check out the track. It's also a chance to see some great vintage cars.

DP Results
1. Jeff Harding
2. Greg Amy
3. Joe Diminno
4. Robert Breault
5. Enrik Benazic

The Friday test and tune in August (Lightning) is being run by NNJR. Suggestions about practice groups should be made to the region (DA). I am not sure about the test and tune at Thunderbolt in September.

Considering it was the first event at the track, I was surprised how well the event went. The lessons from this weekend will be used by the two regions at the track (SJR, NNJR). There was a nice mixture of volunteers from other regions to help out SJR in their first event in 40 years. The track personnel are also learning how to run a track and I would think (hope) the few issues (registration is one) would be fixed by August.

By the way, the overall track record for the weekend was 0:58.630 (best time) or 116.664 mph by John Thompson in his FA. Smokin'

[kevin22]

is the concern that someone might get the umbrella and a checkered flag confused, and stop on lap one?

Boy, if we have racers that dumb, we need to re-examine our requirements for a license! :shrug: ;)

WHat if the corner workers start carrying yellow umbrella's?
or what if after seeing that Checkered umbrella for 18 laps you don't notice the real checkered was out?

I just think they need to keep anything that can cause confusion away.

[Z3_GoCar]

Good weekend. HOT is the understatement of the year!! Qualified 3rd with a gift from AB. Had a great start and was in 10th by turn 2- started 16th, with only 2 cars separating Joe and I. Then it happened....I got absolutely punted by an ITS car in the left hander after the bridge on the first lap!! Reentered the track in 22nd.....finished 11th, 4th in ITA. John was DQ'd for being light by 150# (not for not showing), so net result was 3rd. However if I hadn't gotten punted would have easily been 2nd....(sorry Joe there was no way you'd hold me off for 3 laps with only 3 tires and a 2-3 sec differential:p)

Good track but 8+ hours to get home, makes this a tough decision to return. How do people in NY elect to sit in that traffic daily????


R

Hey Rob,

Congratulations on the third place. Oh BTW, I'm in East Hartford for the next couple of days. PM/email/or phone me if you're up for me buying you a beer.

James

[megmeyer]

Some pictures
http://picasaweb.google.com/kakarot1232001/NJMPLightningRaceJul202008


Nice pics! Thanks for posting.

As an SJR Race Planning Committee member, I want to thank EVERYONE - drivers, crew, workers (especially all the help we got from surrounding regions - NNJR and WDC in particular, but including Philly, Nepa, and too many more to mention!), and even the track! (just kidding)

All things considered, it went better than I had hoped. I agree the test day had some issues (first being I would love to give the miatas the track to themselves, so they don't punt unsuspecting others - but I have always had issues with miatas). It was good that they separated the SRFs, much less incidents after that.

As for the multiple armbands, we had several discussions about it, and (I, at least) am hopeful that that will be smoother for the next event.

The track has taken both Fridays from SJR (first SCCA event at each track), so they will run the test day (assuming and hoping there is one) for the Thunderbolt 9/20-21 event.

If you are going to that event, get your hotels early - there is a vintage group on Lightning, and an air show and a car show all the same weekend. It will be crowded! The good news is, there should be showers at the big track.

Personally, I broke in my new engine, had some power issues that turned out to be wiring for the kill switch, and took my usual long time to get comfortable on a new track. I qualified 4 of 5, 4 seconds slower than Beth. At the start, Jeff Haines got by me, we had some great little battles, and I finally got some space between us and pulled away. Dave (I can't remember his name right now) in the #7 rabbit, could not race, I think he said his clutch went bad. I finished 3rd, but my time was only 1 second slower than Beth, so I felt a lot better about that!

The SSM race was excellent (only one I had time to really watch).

I have to apologize to group one, because I lost the checkered flags, and did not find them until just after they got off the track. So they did not get their victory laps. Hopefully, I will get the podium pics soon, and post them on the SJR website.

Thanks again to all who helped make it a successful debut!

Meg Meyer
SJR Membership/Webmaster
#27 ITC Civic

[gran racing]

Meg, do you know if camping is allowed at the Thunderbolt track?

[megmeyer]

Meg, do you know if camping is allowed at the Thunderbolt track?

Yes, camping will be allowed. I believe it is $50 per RV, $10 per tent. There is some charge for electric, but I am not sure what that was (I believe $25, but not positive).

The paddock is supposed to be bigger at the new track, but I have not seen any of it yet. The Tower is reminiscent of the old tower at the Glen - just newer and prettier and bigger. (If they build the one I have seen artists drawings of)

I had hoped that we would be able to see the other track, but everything was locked up tight. Maybe by the August race (because by then I think Thunderbolt will be open) we can go over and get a look.

[dtanthon]

Sounds like we all had a great time at NJMP this past weekend. We have a new track so now we need to use this wisely.
What do we want as drivers for future events? This is our club, what do we want?

Series Competition:
Do we bring back the MARRS vs NJRRS/NARRC at the Jersey Road Racing Classic (JRRC) that will be in October? Have a capture the flag type trophy. What ever series wins the most classes takes the trophy. I can remember the blue - grey classic at Summit Point years ago, always great seeing cars from the other series. Makes for better competition. Appears it is time to resurrect this series and challenge. Do we make the Sunday races in October the MARRS 1 and NARRC 1 for the following year? That might be possible in the future.

Track Time:
How were the races groups? These were based on MARRS. As of now the August race uses the NARRC groupings. Does that need to use what we had this past weekend? We are trying to maximize track time so combining classes is one way to do that.

More about Track Time:
The Driving Impressions Pro-IT will be at the August and October Lightning dates at NJMP. Check http://www.NJRRS.com (http://www.njrrs.com/) for details on this series. More track time if you want it and you get back some prize money if you finish in the top 10 of your class. There is also year end prize money. This is modeled after what Atlanta does with their Pro-IT except more distribution of prize money.

Series:
NJRRS is the series that SJR and NNJR have created for NJMP and Pocono events. As of now we will have the usual trophies and jackets for class winners at the end of the year. What else do we want? This is our series, we can make it how we want it.

Tell us what you want at NJMP and we will try to make it happen. This is a great facility and the management and staff at NJMP work very well with SCCA staff.

Thanks,
Darrell Anthony
NNJR-RE
http://www.scca-nnjr.org (http://www.scca-nnjr.org/)
http://www.NJRRS.com (http://www.njrrs.com/)
my email is - [email protected]
or send the Jersey Racing Board an email at [email protected]

[mowog]

How many races do you anticipate having at the two tracks in 2009 (how many Regional, how many National, which tracks)? I like the idea of at least one MARRS event at one of the two tracks. I also like how DCR handles the points - driver declares if they are running for points (or which series points if there are multiple championships), so if someone shows up just to "play", they can opt not to mess up a points battle.

It's probably not possible, but any consideration for a "double" weekend with a race on one track Saturday, and a race on the other track Sunday, or something like that?

[Magical Trevor]

Tappan Zee. It's longer, but it avoids the Cross Bronx, (Hell on Trailers) and the general NY gridlock mess. and with no tolls going west, it generally moves along. Coming back on Sunday can be rough, but if you are a mid to late race group, I imagine you'd miss the bad stuff and sail through.

Just don't try to get there on Sunday mornings that happen to be the date of the NYC Triathlon. Wasn't allowed to the GW (even at 4:00 AM) so I had to take the Lincoln tunnel after navigating the lower west side... not rush hour gridlock, but still crazy cabbies (and it was already over 80 and straining the old Escort...)

[jjjanos]

Track Time:
How were the races groups? These were based on MARRS. As of now the August race uses the NARRC groupings. Does that need to use what we had this past weekend? We are trying to maximize track time so combining classes is one way to do that.

What are the groupings? It appears that there is an inconsistency between the various NARRC races and what is listed as the "suggested" 2008 race groupings.

I will say that it would be unwise to include SM with any slower classes. There's going to be special-me caused carnage between mid/back pack SMs and the leaders of the slower classes somewhere between turn 1 and turn 5.


NJRRS is the series that SJR and NNJR have created for NJMP and Pocono events. As of now we will have the usual trophies and jackets for class winners at the end of the year. What else do we want?

Where to get stickers to be eligible.


Tell us what you want at NJMP and we will try to make it happen.

Shade.

[dominojd]

Track Time:
How were the races groups? These were based on MARRS.

I'll respond to this one. It usually isn't a very good idea to group ITR, ITS, And ITA. Lap times are way to close.

[dtanthon]

Jeff,

Check www.NARRC.com (http://www.NARRC.com) for the groupings. I need to talk with the NNJR race committee about changing things to match the SJR mix in groups. We are not a NARRC race in August or October. I thought the groups worked rather well this weekend. We just need more cars in some of the other groups.

You can get the stickers at the next event. Plus we are not going to withhold points if you don't have a sticker. This is our first year with NJRRS so we need to keep things simple until the dust settles (I can't wait for the dust comments to start). What do we want for a series? It is our series so let's make it what we want as a series.

Shade at NJMP will be interesting accomplishment. I think that would be clouds. I'm sure JD and Terry will ask NJMP about that.

Thanks,
Darrell
NNJR-RE
[email protected]

[erlrich]

I'll respond to this one. It usually isn't a very good idea to group ITR, ITS, And ITA. Lap times are way to close.
Agreed - we've been having issues with that grouping in the MARRS races this year. In fact that was one of the deciding factors in my leaving the car at home this weekend. In addition to the close lap times, this usually results in one of the largest non-Miata race groups; if I'm not mistaken wasn't that the largest group this weekend?

Joe - sorry I missed you; I came by to say hello Sat evening, but you all must have still been chowing down, as your paddocks were empty. You guys should come down to SP for Labor Day.

[mowog]

I would rather see Legends and SPU with DP, production, GTL (and GTP if it's a MARRS event) than SM/SSM.....much more compatible.

[wdether]

Jeff,

Check www.NARRC.com (http://www.NARRC.com) for the groupings. I need to talk with the NNJR race committee about changing things to match the SJR mix in groups. We are not a NARRC race in August or October. I thought the groups worked rather well this weekend. We just need more cars in some of the other groups.

You can get the stickers at the next event. Plus we are not going to withhold points if you don't have a sticker. This is our first year with NJRRS so we need to keep things simple until the dust settles (I can't wait for the dust comments to start). What do we want for a series? It is our series so let's make it what we want as a series.

Tech will have NJRRS stickers at the August event, along with NARRC stickers.

Upon further review, I think Joe is right, the race times of ITS and ITA are very close. It seems that ITA and ITC are compatible while ITS, ITR, and ITB seem to work well.

[jjjanos]

Darrell,

[/quote]


1.) FA, FB, FC, FE, FF, FM, FS, CFC, CSR, DSR, S2
2.) SM, ITC
3.) GT1, GT2, GT3, T1, T2, AS, SPO, ITE, BP, ST
4.) ITR, ITS, ITB
5.) SRF, SPU, Legends
6.) SSM, DP, EP, FP, GP, HP, GTL
7.) FV, F500, CF, NCF, FST
8.) ITA, IT7, SSB, SSC, T3

I didn't see ITS times for the weekend, so I don't know how many laps I would lose in ITB (plus I'm pokey), but, I'd have to see how many S cars y'all get. I can think of few, if any, ITC drivers who would want to be in the mix with SM. As a former ITC driver, I'd rather be out there with GT1. I'd rather have my fingernails ripped off. I think you'll find near complete agreement on that last point.

The only group last weekend that was light was wings and things - 6 cars? If you get the same turnout, resource allocation says the group needs to go with someone else. ITB/SS/ITC seemed to work well. YMMV. I recall some unhappiness with A/S/R combo.

Based on the counts from last weekend, The R/S/B combo and the SSM/Prod groups will be crowded. Maybe move B with A and drop SS/T3 in with R/S? A cars out pace the B cars and the SS/T3 guys are use to running with T1 Corvettes (at least in Nationals).

I'm certain they intend to do this at some point, but I'll dump on the porta-john situation again. Can they distribute these things through-out the entire paddock? It's a LONG walk to the flushies from the middle of the paddock.

[dominojd]

Joe - sorry I missed you; I came by to say hello Sat evening, but you all must have still been chowing down, as your paddocks were empty. You guys should come down to SP for Labor Day.

Sorry we missed ya. We didn't hang around very long Sat. It was to damn hot, and after running 4 sessions DP/ITA I was done . We'll catch ya next time. Ya thinkin of running at Jersey in Sept?

[DaveBrooks]

How about some showers for the people that camp at the track. Seems to me that if you can spend all that money to build a great track why not a few showers.:eclipsee_steering:

[erlrich]

Ya thinkin of running at Jersey in Sept?
I'll probably be there, either driving or working. Now that I know I can get there (in the car) in just over 3 hrs (225 miles no less) it's no big deal to just run up there for a day or two.

Dave, I heard many people say the same thing this weekend, and if I remember correctly there are plans to put in showers.

One thing nobody has mentioned yet, and there was quite a bit of discussion about it before hand; were there any encounters with the NJSP this weekend, positive or negative?

[jjjanos]

One thing nobody has mentioned yet, and there was quite a bit of discussion about it before hand; were there any encounters with the NJSP this weekend, positive or negative?

The geheimen Staatspolizei drove through the ENTIRE paddock twice each day - Friday through Sunday. Looking for what? God only knows. Never got out of the car. At one point, we had two cars cruising the paddock.

Advice for those planning on doing a track-run test day - get there early and have your annual tech completed IN advance. You need to have tech done by the track who will check the dates on your belt. There also is a fairly long inspection that it appears needs to done if you have not had an annual tech. I'd call and ask the track if you lack the annual 'cause, according to the way I read the form, your car will need to go on a lift to be inspected by a licensed mechanic qualified to do NJ inspections without it.

When doing the SCCA tech, know the dates your belts expire.

[tdw6974]

Will the test day info be posted on NESCCA site for registration, No Garages for Lighting circuit? and $12.00 for ice:eek: is that a 50Lb bag??? TW

[dazzlesa]

thanks for the thumbs up on the win. it took some time to get the car back to where it needed to be. for this race alone i changed the intake, got the car closer to minimum weight, changed the rear springs and went back to hoosiers. also this track rewarded light and nimble. after the 2nd practice i knew the car was on rails. a overall pole of 120.07 got me psyched. ken was on the front row with me and it is interesting that the 2 cars, as different as you can get, were as equal as you get. the start was perfect as i was afraid that the ssb cars were going to blow by me on the start. a lap latter the ssb z4 blew buy me and was gone. from then on ken and i pounded out great laps. only traffic or a mistake was going to change the outcome. i saw the 1 to go flag and i tried to throw the race away by missing my marks. luckily i kept my composure enough to beat him by 3 tenths. a great race in extremely hot conditions.
in the end ken was rewarded with the initial track record by one tenth. that sucks but ken got it done!
great track
great effort by the scca and the track.
to me not many true passing areas.
as greg said going threw dust clouds is no fun.
the two over the hill blind turns are wild!
in the light bulb why are people dragging sand and gravel on to the track?:shrug: your i think it is a very fast corner with no reason the put tires off.
the heat wore me out.
on the way home i took route 120 from exit 7a to 287 and it helped alot since the turnpike was crawling at that point.
i think i saw $4.67 for diesal in nj. how can i bring some of that home?

[JaxonMotorsports44]

Are results on Mylap.com? I haven't seen anything on the NESCCA site yet.

What are the overall impressions of the track in terms of a racing circuit? Greg touched on a few highlights regarding confidence and momentum plus a benefit to cars with power. Does anyone have thoughts on the flow of the track or how well can you set up a corner for passing, are there any ridiculous corners or corners that are just plain fun to drive? Is the track racey?? (Is that a word?) The pavement looks great, and the pictures make it look like it could be fun.

I am looking forward to the October race. A bit cooler I am sure at that time too.

Jay

[megmeyer]

Are results on Mylap.com? I haven't seen anything on the NESCCA site yet.

I just posted the results book on www.sjr-scca.org/njmp/results.html (http://www.sjr-scca.org/njmp/results.html). There is a link there to the results book. It is a pdf file containing all the results. When I get a chance, I will break them down to groups.


What are the overall impressions of the track in terms of a racing circuit? Greg touched on a few highlights regarding confidence and momentum plus a benefit to cars with power. Does anyone have thoughts on the flow of the track or how well can you set up a corner for passing, are there any ridiculous corners or corners that are just plain fun to drive? Is the track racey?? (Is that a word?) The pavement looks great, and the pictures make it look like it could be fun.

I thought there were plenty of places to try to pass. What I found interesting, was that getting inside someone did not necessarily translate into a completed pass. (at least for me!) I guess I was worried about moving out and hitting my competitor. I did some side-by-side with Jeff Haines from 4 into 7 (the left hander):D. It was very interesting! I congratulate him on staying on the outside through 6 (blind over the hill turn):happy204:!

Meg

[Chris Humphrey]

Are results on Mylap.com? I haven't seen anything on the NESCCA site yet.

What are the overall impressions of the track in terms of a racing circuit? Greg touched on a few highlights regarding confidence and momentum plus a benefit to cars with power. Does anyone have thoughts on the flow of the track or how well can you set up a corner for passing, are there any ridiculous corners or corners that are just plain fun to drive? Is the track racey?? (Is that a word?) The pavement looks great, and the pictures make it look like it could be fun.

I am looking forward to the October race. A bit cooler I am sure at that time too.

Jay

It is up on MyLaps now!