track day thunderbolt nj

[red998]

i just signed up.
never been to track day.
i am about 2.5hrs away- reasonable to drive back and forth?
i totally love the idea of driving my car all day, but not sure if anyone has done it before and feel it might be too much after being on the track.
also how dark is too for window tinting? i think i have 35%

[mid-corner fun]

I'm 2.5 hours from NJMP as well. Lots of people drive to and back the same day for one-day events. Keep in mind that you'll need to be there around 7am. You'll be exhausted on the way back, just plan to get some rest right after.

If it's a 2-day event there's a couple of ok hotels in the area.

[akh23456]

what are the dates you guys signed up for? I only half hr away from NJMP.

[paradocs98]

I'm about 2.5-3 hrs from NJMP as well. I drive back home that evening once the track day is finished, but I generally drive down the day before an event. As mentioned above, gates typically open around 6:30am, tech inspection is around 7am or 7:15am, and if you change tires for the event, it's a lot to do that morning. I can't hack getting up at 3am for a track day. Stay at the Wingate or Hampton Inn in Vineland--relatively cheap, clean, and about 15 minutes from the track. That way you don't have to be stressed about getting there on time. Given that a typical HPDE event has 3 or 4 run groups, rotating all day long with 20-minute sessions, interspersed with classroom instruction, the organizers try to run things in a timely manner.

[von_zoom]

I drive back home that evening once the track day is finished, but I generally drive down the day before an event

Yep, thats what I do also. I am 2 + hrs from VIR, so I go the day before, have my car teched en route, then unload all my track things at the track, change tires etc, and bum a ride to the hotel with someone attending the event.
vz

[red998]

Thanks a lot guys.
i don't plan on changing tires.

does the instructor sit in the car with you the whole time?
i have a bunch of DOT/Snell 2010 helmets for motorcycles not sure if that is an issue or not.

any experience with the tinted windows? i tried to google but nothing specific came back

do you guys have any suggestions on other stuff i should bring along?

[LiM3y]

I would recommend staying the night before and driving back afterwards, especially for the first time out. You will be nervous and probably not sleep well the night before. Heading out at 4.30 in the morning isn't going to help and makes for a very long day. On the drive back, if you are like me, you are going to be so amped that you are wide awake for the trip home, then collapse like a sack of potatoes on your couch (I head back to CT)

You can rent the paddock suites above the garages for a reasonable price comparable to local hotels, which are very handy, basic and comfortable, just eat in Millville/Vineland before heading to the track. See the NJMP website for details. NB Watch out for cheap ass instructors trying to bum hotel rooms! LOL!

I would check with the organization regarding helmet specs. They do vary.

Window tinting won't be an issue as you will be required to have your window down while driving.

First time out, check you lug bolt torque. You will be able to borrow a torque wrench, and if you ask a BMW owner, they will even have the right socket! Everyone there has been in your shoes, so almost everyone there will go out of their way to get you set up (as long as they are not rushing) to enjoy the day.

[paradocs98]

Originally Posted by red998

Thanks a lot guys.
i don't plan on changing tires.

does the instructor sit in the car with you the whole time?
i have a bunch of DOT/Snell 2010 helmets for motorcycles not sure if that is an issue or not.

any experience with the tinted windows? i tried to google but nothing specific came back

do you guys have any suggestions on other stuff i should bring along?

What LiM3y said, plus bring a tire pressure gauge, some water or gatorade to drink, and a couple of snacks. Depending on weather conditions, dress in layers so you can adjust your temperature accordingly. Most organizers also require you to wear long pants (no shorts) and sometimes long-sleeve shirts for safety reasons. Consider bringing a folding chair to sit in when you're between sessions. You'll find a spot in the paddock that morning to set up your little home base for the day.

Also bring a duffel bag or plastic bin to put your stuff in. When you prepare to go through the tech inspection line that morning at the track, you'll need to clear EVERYTHING out of your car and will need a place to put it. EZ pass, radar detector, floormats, fuzzy dice, and even the fix-a-flat kit under the trunk floor all need to come out.

The instructor will ride with you the whole time you're on track, and he or she will likely drive your car for the first couple of laps of the first session to show you the correct line and give you a sense of the rhythm and inputs. Most of them have nifty communicator devices that slip inside your helmet between the helmet lining and your ear so you can talk with your instructor without screaming. Wind noise at 120+ mph with driver's and passenger's windows down can be a bit severe...

Have fun!

[mid-corner fun]

Originally Posted by LiM3y

On the drive back, if you are like me, you are going to be so amped that you are wide awake for the trip home, then collapse like a sack of potatoes on your couch (I head back to CT)

Lol, he speaks the truth. I crash on the couch as soon as I get home, no matter what. If this is on a Sunday night, I end up waking up around 4am to unload the car and remove track stuff (pads/rotors/tires/camera headrest/external mic) before going to work on Monday. The 3-day events are especially brutal but awesome at the same time!

+1 on all the other advice here, have fun!

[Brooklyn Mark]

floor mats?

[midlifecrisis]

Originally Posted by red998

i just signed up.
never been to track day.
i am about 2.5hrs away- reasonable to drive back and forth?
i totally love the idea of driving my car all day, but not sure if anyone has done it before and feel it might be too much after being on the track.
also how dark is too for window tinting? i think i have 35%

Regarding the tint - check with the sanctioning organization. The all have different rules. Some don't have any rule on tint, and others do. I know the NJ CCA chapter wants you to send a picture to their chief of tech before the event so they can give a provisional acceptance. They want to see a photo taken from behind the car so they can see through the rear window. Make sure there's something with high contrast in front of the car so they can see what's ahead.

Just make sure you know the sanctioning organization's rules before the event.

[midlifecrisis]

Originally Posted by red998

Thanks a lot guys.
i don't plan on changing tires.

does the instructor sit in the car with you the whole time?
i have a bunch of DOT/Snell 2010 helmets for motorcycles not sure if that is an issue or not.

any experience with the tinted windows? i tried to google but nothing specific came back

do you guys have any suggestions on other stuff i should bring along?

I think the State of NJ is requiring Snell 2005 or 2010 rated helmets, and they must be full face design. No more open face helmets allowed starting this year. For DE, they allow M and SA rated helmets. If you're racing, it must be SA rated.

See my previous post re: tint.

[jrlee53]

Hey Red, is this for the Mopar event on the 30th? If it is, did they have any new beginner slots open?

[red998]

awesome thank you for all the info from the vets.
The event is for june 4-5, beginner.
Duffle bag for the all the stuff sounds good. gotta get one of those folding chairs.

[midlifecrisis]

This is a NJBMWCCA event, which is excellent for someone who has never been on track before. They'll assign a mentor to you before the event, so if you have any questions there will be someone you can go to for answers.

The instructors are great, both in-car and classroom. You won't believe how much your skills develop in two days!

This event also includes a club race, banquet, and charity auction. You'll have a blast!

Grand-Am will be on Thunderbolt a few weeks before this event. They're putting together a BMW corral. (One of the things I have to work on this long weekend.) You'll be able to watch the pros on the same track you'll be running on.

[dale.b]

Originally Posted by midlifecrisis

This is a NJBMWCCA event, which is excellent for someone who has never been on track before. They'll assign a mentor to you before the event, so if you have any questions there will be someone you can go to for answers.

Does anyone have the registration link?

Thanks.

[mid-corner fun]

motorsportsreg.com

[turugara]

Originally Posted by paradocs98

some water or gatorade to drink, and a couple of snacks.

This is actually one of the most important pieces of advice that you quickly learn on the track. Food/Drink at the track is stupid expensive. Plus it's all burgers and fries.

bring your own drinks and food. You'll not only save $$, but you'll also make some friends... at least until your food lasts

[turugara]

Originally Posted by akh23456

what are the dates you guys signed up for? I only half hr away from NJMP.

March 17-18