NJMP Gets High Marks from Drivers
By Jaime Marine
Bridgeton News
Millville, N.J. (July 12, 2008) – New Jersey Motorsports Park's 1.9-mile Lightning Raceway was receiving high praise Friday afternoon as racers from all over the country tested it for the first time.
Friday marked the first day of the Eastern Motor Racing Association's three-day racing event, which will feature activities such as practices, time trials and races on the motorsports park's raceway.
These are the first road races at the brand-new motorsports park facility and the first time spectators have been able to watch an event at the park.
"It is very interesting," Driver Jeff Lloyd, of Florida, said of the course, adding it hasn't been broken in yet. "It is also a very safe track. I was comfortable to drive as fast as (I can) out there."
Lloyd, originally from Philadelphia, said he was excited to have a track so close to his hometown.
"I wanted to try the track on opening day," he said, adding an opportunity like that doesn't present itself everyday.
Motorsports officials said Thursday they were expecting about 350 cars at the track, located off Dividing Creek Road, over the course of the event.
On Friday, numerous cars, trailers and people filled the areas off to the side of the Lightning Raceway.
Many people were watching the action, which included a vehicle parade and practices, as they took breaks from trying out the brand-new course.
Glen Trimper, a first-year EMRA member from Virginia, said Friday afternoon he expects big things from this course over the next couple of years.
"It's gonna be a fast course," he said. "I love it."
Trimper said he would like to see more landscape markers around the course, so drivers will have visual reference points, but said he believes that by the time the racing club comes back next year, this course will be broken in and fast.
EMRA will be doing a variety of activities during its weekend series. Today's action will feature more practice time, along with timed runs and races.
The final day, which is expected to run until 5 p.m., will have four races, as well as practices and qualifying events.
The EMRA club racing rules and car classes were designed specifically to provide low-cost, entry-level access to the world of competitive road racing.
Millville resident and spectator Jeannie Elbertson said she was amazed by how close she could get to the racing action.
As she sat in her car Friday, not too far from the track, Elbertson said she was surprised by everything the track had to offer.
"I like it," she said, adding her father was a stock car driver when she was younger. "There is such a variety of racing. Everyone can enjoy it."
Elbertson said she liked seeing the karts race around their track while the various types of cars (such as Corvettes, Volkswagens and Nissans) maneuvered around the Lightning course.
"It is amazing," she said, adding she can't wait for her grandchildren to see it. "There's a little of everything. This is something else."
Tickets for this weekend, as well as other races, are still available by visiting www.njmp.com and clicking on the "Spectator Event Tickets" link, or call 1-800-298-4200.
Prices for the EMRA event range from $10 to $30. Children under 12 are free.