jlax01

I went out to Thunderbolt Raceway for Formula X (being run by Redline Time Attack) which was supporting event for the Formula Atlantic and Star Mazda race series. Overall, the track ranks up there (in comparison to the 3 tracks I've been to) with VIR in terms of facilities and track condition. It was absolutely wonderful track and we had beautiful weather to complement the weekend (got a good sunburn/tan too). The track still isn't 100% complete as some curbs were missing and there are no brake distance signs (only cones). Also, grass is still being planted so if you go off, your car is getting dirty with mud and dirt. Fortunately, it had rained the night before so we didn't experience the dust that a lot of people have been talking about. Also, the corner workers seem very fresh and not as experienced as those at Summit and VIR.

What I really liked about this track was the very large amount of track out room and the track is, for the most part is very forgiving with generous amounts of run-off space and very few places (unlike Shenandoah Circuit) where it almost feels reckless to go quickly. This track will make an excellent HPDE track as there are only a few corners where you can really get into trouble.

I found the front half of the track to be pretty easy. We were running the chicane instead of turn 3 so I can't really comment on how dangerous/unsafe it is. Apparently the Koni Challenge guys were running it flat out at well over 120mph. Again, we didn't run the high-speed turn 3 so we didn't get up very fast on the backstraight; I was getting into 4th gear going up the hill leading to 4 but then quickly had to downshift for turn 4. I bet without the chicane, turn 4 will be much more difficult at higher speeds but as we ran it, it was a pretty easy and quick turn with a deceptive amount of track-out room.

The only other turn worth mentioning is the Jersey Devil (turn 8-9) which unfortunately for three people caught them off guard and caused a major accident (the worst I've seen at the track). One Evo9 was totaled and another Evo10 received rear-end damage when they collided after both going off. The turn is incredibly deceptive as you come into it very fast and if you come in too hot, you can very easily go off. During the first hot lap on the first session, I was taking it very easily and still trying to learn the track. My passenger and I (who was informally instructing me) watched an inexperienced driver in an Evo10 go off at the turn 9 but we thought he was alright and recovered. We were working our way through turn 10 and 11 when we heard a loud CLUNK. I didn't get a chance to look at the crash when it happened but my passenger (I was the only one with an instructor :-/) looked back and said the entire driver side door was caved in on the Evo9. Apparently the Evo9 went off behind us and slid into the back of the Evo10. We didn't know how truly bad it was until we got back to the paddock. Both people in the Evo9 were rushed to the emergency room and our first session was black flagged after just two laps.

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/anocaj/DSC00617.jpg">

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/anocaj/DSC00612.jpg">

This is exactly what I was afraid of when I signed up for a Time Attack and truly makes me appreciate the safety and driver-education aspects of an HPDE. When inexperienced drivers push themselves too early, on an unknown track, the unfortunate does happen. Ironically, the driver of the Evo9 was very experienced on track. The driver suffered 3 cracked ribs and major bruising. The passenger received minor bruising. It was truly not a good start to the day. However, I must say, for the most part, everyone was very experienced and very courteous on the track.

Besides the crash that took place very early on, there were very few other people who went off and no other crashes or minor/major incidents. Another inexperienced driver in a 240sx blew an oil line on his turbo and dropped oil around the entire track and delayed the start of one of the headline races. I really can't wait to get out there for a proper DE though as I think I will get more time to learn the lines and get faster.

Not that it really matters (as I wasn't there for the competition), but I placed 2nd in Street RWD and was only about 10-15 seconds off the pace of the faster modified cars (600whp cars running R1s). I know there is still a lot of places where I could get faster out there but I was pretty satisfied with my speed and confidence on the track after the weekend.

Also, being that this only about 2.5 hours away from DC, its incredibly convenient for most of us. The surrounding towns are also pretty nice with plenty of hotels but we did have trouble finding top tier gas in the vicinity of the track. Oh, also, tolls suck

Anyways, if anyone wants a more detailed perspective of the track from my experience, I could probably type that up since it is still fresh in my mind.

Silver Streakin'

I was going to do that event in Street AWD, but couldn't make it. that's 2 events that I've missed.

sanch0

wtf is going on at those Time Attack events. it's not the first one i've read about with serious damage. what was the overall feel of the event?

i'm looking forward to running NJMP with ACNA or TrackDaze next year. hopefully the grass will have grown by then.

Silver Streakin'

Their target is tuner cars, which draws many from the West coast for the events on the wrong coast, namely in the Modified/Unlimited AWD class with EVOs and the RWD classes. And, you'll see a bunch of guys with their personal cars that are starting or no longer their DDer that are caged, CF, big turbos, etc., Rcomps and fast...and these guys usually have a bunch of seat time. However, the events draw the inexperienced, which Redline's goal obviously is to make the events bigger and bigger, and they did that by having a car show and HPDE the day prior to the TA. The car show brings in all of those all show and no go cars, and their 18-25 y.o. owners who do ricer flybys on the highway. A few of these guys get added to the mix, but most will just do the HPDE day. And the thing about the HPDE day is that it's not required to do the TA, which imo is wrong. It should just be a 2-day event and if you don't have prior experience on the track, you need to do the HPDE with an instructor and you can't go solo without being signed off, and if you're not signed off to go solo then you can't do the TA laps. Currently, anyone can just sign up for the TA with zero track time and go solo -- big no-no in my book.

I didn't make this year's Shenandoah event, but I heard there were a bunch of offs that bent things. And, I won't be going to the VIR event because the Street classes don't run the full course -- they're on the Patriot.

Jretal

I can't believe how much that car caved in!

Glad you had fun, and I look forward to being able to hit up that track eventually.

jlax01

Overall, I feel that the event was thrown together in a very small amount of time and was incredibly unorganized. There was absolutely no place in the registration to declare your skill level and there was zero instruction given to the drivers. I didn't really feel comfortable going to brand new track without having another set of experienced eyes so I brought my friend who is currently running in the TDi Cup (Pro SCCA racing) and who has a lot of DEs under his belt). Unfortunately, after the wreck, the track said that no passengers were allowed to go out on track with the drivers. We even pleaded with the head of motorsports at NJMP declaring that he is going out there to give me instruction and another set of eyes on a completely fresh track. NJMP wouldn't budge. So on the 2nd session, I was on my own and really had to figure the track out by myself...I took it very slowly and increased speeds when I felt comfortable. I have track experience (unlike some of the drivers) so I wasn't a complete idiot out there like some drivers.

Overall, the time attack setup is great for experienced intermediate and advance drivers who know how to handle themselves out on the track. I don't think its a good place for beginner and novice driver's to get their feet wet as the introduction of timing is just a motivator to push yourself past your own limits. I really wasn't concerned with time and I wasn't pushing myself to go faster (even though I did naturally increase as the weekend went on) so I didn't really put pressure on myself to speed up and push beyond my limits. Some people can't not do this and will over-drive their car, this is when accidents happen. At my first time attack about a month ago at Summit Point, there were a myriad of single car accidents from people going off track. I know mistakes and accidents happen, but it seemed like more of them were happening than at the usual DE type event.

jlax01

I have been thinking about signing up for Modified class in GT-Live @ VIR but I just don't know if I want to be out there with those guys.

jlax01

oh yeah, Frankie Muniz says hi to AW

apk-S4

was he there in one of his Porsches?

Potomac-Greg

... in a side impact.