NJMP Thunderbolt
10-15-08, 10:54 AM
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NJMP Thunderbolt
I ran Thunderbolt this weekend and was VERY impressed with the new facility. I think this is the most fun track I've driven. Video and photos really don't do it justice, you have to drive it to see why it's a great track.
First thing I noticed was that it's smaller than it looks on TV. But it's a busy track packed with fun corners. The "octopus" (turns 7-11) is a very interesting section. It puts a huge G load on you to the left for what feels like a long time, then switches back right for even longer. My neck was killing me after the first day. Really every corner is a lot of fun and they provide a great mix of different types of turns that flows perfectly.
The track is hard on brakes and tires. I burned through half-thick 01s (about 10mm) down to about 1mm, ended up leaving after the second day because of this. Also punished the tires, I now have the "valley of death" in the tread of my driver-side 888s. Granted the first day was open track all day, and I ran over 3 hours that day. I was down to about 3mm of pad left going into the second day and had to back off a lot to make them last through 4 sessions.
First thing I noticed was that it's smaller than it looks on TV. But it's a busy track packed with fun corners. The "octopus" (turns 7-11) is a very interesting section. It puts a huge G load on you to the left for what feels like a long time, then switches back right for even longer. My neck was killing me after the first day. Really every corner is a lot of fun and they provide a great mix of different types of turns that flows perfectly.
The track is hard on brakes and tires. I burned through half-thick 01s (about 10mm) down to about 1mm, ended up leaving after the second day because of this. Also punished the tires, I now have the "valley of death" in the tread of my driver-side 888s. Granted the first day was open track all day, and I ran over 3 hours that day. I was down to about 3mm of pad left going into the second day and had to back off a lot to make them last through 4 sessions.
10-15-08, 02:23 PM
#2
Yup I was there about a month ago with Redline Time Attack and had a blast, and I'm headed back this weekend with Porsche Club.
Bring spare pads and rotors to the track! I always have a set on hand when I go. (along with a pile of other parts, heh)
Bring spare pads and rotors to the track! I always have a set on hand when I go. (along with a pile of other parts, heh)
10-15-08, 09:31 PM
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10-16-08, 01:20 PM
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Another great thing about the facility is that they're constantly improving it. While I was there Thursday afternoon for registration, nobody was running so they were out there adding tires around the track. The whole weekend they had closed the other half of the paddock and were planting grass. The grass has really grown in around the track itself. Still when cars go off, the sandy dirt kicks up and makes huge clouds.
They even lowered the rates for the paddock suites from $220 to $95, at least for that weekend. I had already reserved a hotel room so I missed out on that.
They even lowered the rates for the paddock suites from $220 to $95, at least for that weekend. I had already reserved a hotel room so I missed out on that.
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