NJMP Thunderbolt configuration?

[Paul Rosal]

Hi all,

I printed out the track layout from the NJMP site and noticed that after turn 1 there are 2 chicane-like sections as alternatives to the outer sections. Which corners should I be memorizing for the Aug 25 track day?

Thanks,
Paul

[ta2kutz]

dont bother by the time you get on your first lap you will forget it all. i tried to do that with lightning and my first lap out i was like wtf i dont remember the video like this

[Steve]

So? Which way do we run it? I forgot to ask in the chatbox as BS was flying...

[toptaz1000rr]

dont bother... alot of elevation changes and a few turns come up on you QUICK....SLOW till you 'get it'..

otherwise FUN track for sure... 1-4 you can hold the throttle all the way through once you 'get it'

[EngineNoO9]

well what did you run? I've already been there and am wondering if I'll have to learn a new turn 1 instead of the chicane that's there. I'm assuming the 2nd chicane will be used as it's a nice fast one

[toptaz1000rr]

both chicanes were closed today

[EngineNoO9]

:-\ I hope discussions lead to opening up the 2nd one at the least

[squirrel211]

:-\ I hope discussions lead to opening up the 2nd one at the least

No way dude, turn 3 is fun and very FAST!!!!

I HATED the track after the first session. It was tough to learn going slow, but the times picked up significantly in the 3rd, 4th and 5th sessions, and it was a blast!!!!

Turn 1 is deceptively fast, it looks tight but isn't really that tight.
Turn 2 is just plain awesome; a med-high speed right with a BLIND exit. You can't see the exit until you've already passed the apex and committed to the line for the exit.
Turn 3 is a flat out, HIGH speed right kink. (Think the kink at CMP)
There is a hill between 3 and 4 that will point you nose at the sky if you hit it right
Turn 4 is high speed, similar to a slightly slower Turn 4 at Summit Main
Turn 5 is a medium left hand sweeper that is probably close to 120 degrees.
Turn 6 is medium/med-high speed righty that leads to....
Turns 7/8/9 A series of 3 corners, the first a med-slow speed righty that leads to a more open right, that quickly turns into a VERY VERY tight right where you're damn near looking back over your right shoulder to see the track
Turns 10/11 a med-slow speed left that immediately follows Turn 9 (Basically a switch back) I think it was meant to be a double apex, but you just hug the curb until the next series of turns
Turns 12/13/14 WFO, they appear similar to the esses at VIR North, before you get to the bridge.... Turn 14 is another "kink;" it full twist of the wrist, no worries!!!

The front straight is over before you can blink twice.

[EngineNoO9]

I've ridden the track with both chicanes and liked them. I'll learn the 2 new turns no problem though

[sportbikerchic]

The front straight is over before you can blink twice.
No joke! On the map that straight looked much longer than it felt. But I guess when you enter the straight in 5th gear already, it's bound to go by pretty quick! LOL.

I was pleasantly surprised by that track. From the map I expected the track to be a lot of gas, brake, gas, brake, etc, cause it looks like a lot of turns connected by straight shoots for the first half of it.... but those turns are much higher speed than I expected, so much of the track was a test of how little can you use the brakes. I was very happy with that track configuration!


Arkansas (aka squirrel211), good riding with you yesterday! By that late afternoon session we did together I couldn't tell that you didn't like the track in the morning.

[Matt H]

Yeah - that last turn is crazy fast and cool! Front straight is not that short - you're just hauling!!

The track was great - very cool and technical, with a different sections of the track posing different challenges. I really like that. And Mary's right - if you are not taking the corners fast enough, it seems like a bit of point-and-shoot; but take the corners FAST and it flows really well.

I'd be curious to run the second chicane and see how that runs. I love the challenge of that blind turn 2 though, so wouldn't want to lose that. Anyway - AWESOME track. Everybody's got to come try it.

[Surfinglbi23]

Squirrel I think my brother and I were pitted next to you yesterday ... nice meeting you again and nice description of the track!

[squirrel211]

No joke! On the map that straight looked much longer than it felt. But I guess when you enter the straight in 5th gear already, it's bound to go by pretty quick! LOL.

I was pleasantly surprised by that track. From the map I expected the track to be a lot of gas, brake, gas, brake, etc, cause it looks like a lot of turns connected by straight shoots for the first half of it.... but those turns are much higher speed than I expected, so much of the track was a test of how little can you use the brakes. I was very happy with that track configuration!


Arkansas (aka squirrel211), good riding with you yesterday! By that late afternoon session we did together I couldn't tell that you didn't like the track in the morning.


NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! She called me Arkansas.....
:D

[squirrel211]

Squirrel I think my brother and I were pitted next to you yesterday ... nice meeting you again and nice description of the track!

Tyler???? Travis????
Either way, I stopped on my way out to watch you boys from the bridge and you both pitted early. What happened??? You guys were cool to hang out with!