NJMP - Thunder

[XFBO]

I'd like to be but I think my buds and I are leaving for the IndyGP on the 10th sooooo......

[nycstripes]

Originally Posted by Ryan NJ

I'm in on the 8th as well. Super excited.

Hey man, it will be good to see you, haven't see you at the track since early last season. Hope all is well.
Ken

[mike574]

Originally Posted by XFBO

Im kinda surprised on how popular the twilight thing is getting with some ppl, I know a few of us thought it was a bad idea....some still do.

I think it sucks. Last day I did with them we did not get on track until 10 minutes to nine and the day was over at 4:00. So basicaly we lost an hour of track time with no refund or discount.

[nycstripes]

I am also not a fan of the twilight policy. Running two track days on the same track can always be a source for trouble with scheduling. On Monday's Thunderbolt date with TPM the track did not go hot until around 930-945AM and we ended promptly at 430. The AM was delayed for dirt on the track and NJ Motorsports had no machinery working to clean it up. Then coaches took sighting laps after the end of the riders meeting instead of during which also pushed back the start of the track day.

My feeling from this is that the day is spent worrying about ending the main track day in time to give the 2 hour twilight riders a full ride. Cutting the main track day short for that has not been a conflict of interest for the club. I see it differently, I also see the twilight cutting into at least an hour of premium track time for me.

[hank748]

[XFBO]

Originally Posted by nycstripes

I am also not a fan of the twilight policy. Running two track days on the same track can always be a source for trouble with scheduling. On Monday's Thunderbolt date with TPM the track did not go hot until around 930-945AM and we ended promptly at 430. The AM was delayed for dirt on the track and NJ Motorsports had no machinery working to clean it up. Then coaches took sighting laps after the end of the riders meeting instead of during which also pushed back the start of the track day.

My feeling from this is that the day is spent worrying about ending the main track day in time to give the 2 hour twilight riders a full ride. Cutting the main track day short for that has not been a conflict of interest for the club. I see it differently, I also see the twilight cutting into at least an hour of premium track time for me.

+1 Ken.
Altho no club can be blamed for NJMP's inability to have a prepared track, altho the twilight run does dismiss the option of them making it up to us by extending their hrs, which is not cool. With that said, a lot of ppl still seem to be under the impression that a regular TD's operating hrs are 9-6PM which isnt the case, unless TPM buys that extra hr is my understanding.

The only positive as I see it [twilight option], is it gives some ppl the opportunity to come ride for 2 hrs worth of riding even if they cant get in the regular TD......but again I think it takes away any option to please the majority if a problem arises by extending the day = not cool.

[Rem6a]

Now this place looks like a fun track.

And after looking around, guess I will not get a ride for a long time here. Everything is full. :-(

[dlafz1]

Originally Posted by Rem6a

Now this place looks like a fun track.

And after looking around, guess I will not get a ride for a long time here. Everything is full. :-(

I registered yesterday for the Labor Day event by STT.

[JCP636]

forceten- If I get in on the 8th I will definitely chip in. However I don't think the odds of me getting in are that good. I guess we'll see if they open up twilight maybe I'll come down early... O yea and I'm not on NES anymore btw, I'm pretty sure I saw your bike roll through the paddock on monday though. Repsol paint right???

[forceten]

Should have come over and said hello. Yup that was me with repsol paint scheme. Why ya leave NES?

[JCP636]

I looked for you're bike after that didn't see where you were pitted or I would have. As far as NES goes no real reason just one less forum to check up on, haha. Never really got much out of it or contributed that much for that matter. Every thread in there is just shit talkin between a few members. No big deal nothin' personal.

[RubberChicken]

So, a question for the folks who have ACTUALLY ridden both the Thunderbolt and Lightning tracks, WHICH would you prefer to ride again, assuming that all else were equal, i.e. price, date availability, etc?

(I have done three days on Lightning, am really starting to love the way it flows. Have not done Thunderbolt yet.)

I'd like to hear objective opinions from actual experience. Thanks.

[RubberChicken]

FYI, New York Sportbike CLub has a THREE day event at NJMP Lightning on August 15, 16 and 17 (Next weekend.) Spots still available in some groups.

http://www.nysportbikeclub.com or call Albert at 516-921-5934

Check it out. I have ridden one event at Lightning with these guys, we had a good day with a lot of track time.

[forceten]

I have ridden two days on lightening and 1 day on thunderbolt. I love each track for their own reasons.

Lightening is nice and fast, easy to remember and doing two days on it I got pretty comfortable. Thunderbolt took me a while longer to learn the turns and what speeds I should be doing and what gears I should be in on what parts of the track.

But once i had that down pact for my first day there, my speed on the track started picking up and I would say I had more fun on thunderbolt.

So if you had both tracks going at once say this monday and I had to pick one...... I would pick thunderbolt. Once they finish the areas around the track and we have less dirt around it will even be that much better.

But still the perfect weekend is 1 day lightning and 1 day thunder!!

I have two more thunderbolt days already confirmed in with tpm and now two more lightening days confirmed in.

[nycstripes]

After riding both tracks for one day, I left liking the Lightning slightly more. I think that was because Lightning was easier to find the right lines and get up to pace. I have a feeling that that opinion will change though as I ride Thunderbolt some more.
Ken

[talber8]

I preferred Thunderbolt over Lightning. It had a little bit of everything and it was fast and smooth.

I had never been to a track that had a decreasing radius turn like that one, so it was kinda fun to work on that.

[GSX-R 3/4K]

I'll pick Thunderbolt over a Lightning but like both of them

[XFBO]

Originally Posted by nycstripes

I have a feeling that that opinion will change though as I ride Thunderbolt some more.

+1
My thoughts exactly, especially considering after 1 [crappy] day of the Lightning course I wasnt all that impressed. Amazing on how ones pace for the day can dictate their feeling about any given course.

I currently have 4 days on Lightning and 1 day on Thunder (both chicanes open). Personally, I like the Lightning more but I think that has a lot to do that I got up to [ok] speed there. I think I'll enjoy Thunder much more if no or only the 2nd chicane is open.

Either way, from what Ive been reading on this and other forums about NJMP.....the north/mid east 'track addicts' are gonna be some broke @ss sob's!!! I mean, after 7 yrs of track riding, Ive neevr seen so many ppl join multiple clubs just to ride at one facility!!!

[Rem6a]

Originally Posted by XFBO

Either way, from what Ive been reading on this and other forums about NJMP.....the north/mid east 'track addicts' are gonna be some broke @ss sob's!!! I mean, after 7 yrs of track riding, Ive neevr seen so many ppl join multiple clubs just to ride at one facility!!!

This is so true...

[Bearsfirehawk]

Originally Posted by XFBO

Either way, from what Ive been reading on this and other forums about NJMP.....the north/mid east 'track addicts' are gonna be some broke @ss sob's!!! I mean, after 7 yrs of track riding, Ive neevr seen so many ppl join multiple clubs just to ride at one facility!!!

You can count me in on this one too. I am riding at NJMP6 times this year with 3 different groups. Its all worth it!!!