From Dream to Much-Anticipated Reality: N.J. Motorsports Park Debuts this Weekend
By Joel Landau
The Daily Journal

Millville, N.J. (July 7, 2008) – The New Jersey Motorsports Park, which makes its public debut Friday after years of anticipation, is uncharted territory not only for Cumberland County, but also for the staff that’s running it.

None of the resort’s staff members has ever opened a new facility before, so General Manager Don Fauerbach is relying on advice he received from motorsports promoter H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler.

“It’s the three T’s,” Fauerbach said. “Traffic, toilets and tickets.”

Officials envision the motorsports park, which spans about 700 acres in the Millville Airport vicinity, as a regional tourist attraction that could create thousands of jobs and generate millions of dollars in tax revenue. It’s the largest economic development initiative in the county’s history.

But the park isn’t going on all cylinders for its first spectator event.

Organizers expect only about 5,000 people to come out for the Eastern Motor Racing Association event, which runs Friday to Sunday. They haven’t even promoted the event heavily.

That’s because park officials wanted to start with a “soft” opening event to make sure they have time to work out any kinks in time for the larger-scale events planned for later this summer.

“We’re not expecting a large turnout. We want to make sure we can operate,” said Joe Volpe, director of activities. “When we open, we’ll have everything people need.”

The park’s 1.9-mile Lightning Raceway course is ready to host the history-making event.

But several other parts of the park won’t open until Aug. 7, when the Sports Car Vintage Racing Association rolls into town. Those unfinished pieces include the park’s 2.3-mile Thunderbolt Raceway, VIP suites, the Timing Tower, clubhouse, paddock area, event garage and concession building.

Volpe said Lightning Raceway will still offer all the amenities the fans need, just on a smaller scale than Thunderbolt Raceway.

“There will be food and bathrooms. What more do they need?” he quipped.

The park has planned its grand opening ceremonies for the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series, which runs Aug. 28-31. A flyover with P-47 planes is possible, Managing Director Ken Grammer said.

An interactive experience

Grammer said officials are still working out some details of how the park will operate.

Patrons will enter the park through the Dividing Creek Road entrance and be directed around the Lightning Raceway to a couple of parking areas. Visitors can tailgate in the parking lot and bring pretty much anything they want into the park, except for alcoholic beverages, which will be sold inside the park.

Motorsports events offer a different kind of experience than the more commonly known racing circuits shown on TV, said Volpe.

“Lots of people know the NASCAR model: sitting in a bleacher in one spot, watching the same turn,” Volpe said. “Motorsports is very different. They have access to the paddock. They have access to the drivers. It’s a much different experience. It’s more interactive.”

Drivers will be accessible to fans. They’ll interact and answer questions about their vehicles, Grammer said, adding sometimes they’ll let children sit in their cars.

Patrons often will bring blankets and lawn chairs and stay at one turn on the track for a while, then move to another corner, he said.

The park does not yet have bleachers and has not decided when to build them, he said.

It all starts Friday

When the Eastern Motor Racing Association arrives, its members will spend Friday testing their cars and the track. Saturday will be qualifying rounds. The actual race will be on Sunday, when the largest crowd is expected. The park will open at 7 a.m. all three days and should close at 5 p.m., Grammer said.

“Saturday is a good day to walk around, and drivers will be relaxed,” Grammer said. “Sunday will be more competitive, and some teams will leave when their races are over.”

The F1 New Jersey go-kart track also will be open this weekend. Karting Director Tim Hannen said 96 drivers will be able to drive the one-mile go-kart course every hour.

Riders will pay $25 for the first session and $20 for additional sessions, which include 15 laps. Drivers must wear racing suits and helmets, which the park provides. Flaggers will flash messages such as “no bumping,” “visor down” and “mechanical failure.”

“It’s important they know they are not out there solo. We take the fear away and add to the experience,” Hannen said. “They don’t have to be on the outside of the track. They can choose to be inside.”

Constant supervision

Joe Savaro, a principal investor for the park, said officials constantly will evaluate all aspects of the weekend, including the track, concessions and customer feedback.

The park is working on a customer evaluation survey for later this season.

“We’ll be looking for feedback from all over the spectrum,” he said, adding the park received “glowing reviews” from Driving Club members who tried it out last weekend at a private event.

Ultimately, Fauerbach said, the best advice is you can’t be overly prepared, and the customers will decide how well the first weekend went.

“Success will be measured by the people, and if they feel they got fair value for their money,” he said. “When the community feels success, we’ll feel the success.”

Fauerbach said the first event won’t be the biggest, but he encouraged people to “come out and see history.”

“If they come, they can always say they saw the first race,” he said. “They saw the first checkered flag, and saw the first winning driver stand on the podium at the New Jersey Motorsports Park.”