Thunderbolt Repave and Expansion Project
Driving Forward
Additional Designs and Details Released For Renovation: New Jersey Motorsports Park’s Classic Thunderbolt Circuit
A full course map is below.
The Thunderbolt Classic and Classic with Chicane laps will remain at 2.25 miles. The Paperclip option sits at 2.15 miles, and The 90 at 2.1 miles. Relative to the Classic, the Paperclip is expected to be about 4 seconds/lap quicker, and The 90 another 4 seconds/lap quicker based on simulations using an FIA GT3 specification car in the model. The chicane adds 2 seconds/lap to any of the available options.
“Once this project is completed, it will be exciting to see how the different layouts are used,” Scott concluded. What do the riders in our Riders Club like the most, what do the drivers in our Drivers Club prefer, which course options our renters, race organizations, and schools choose – the 2024 season will look like none before!”
Thunderbolt – full design
Thunderbolt – Turn 1 Area
Additionally, Thunderbolt will see changes in the Turn 1 area for greater runoff and safety. The guardrail will be moved back, with more asphalt and gravel runoff, additional tire bundles, and the inside curbing relocated to the right to widen the turn and provide more racing room.
New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) announced in October that their classic Thunderbolt road course will be repaved, including the creation of interesting and exciting new course configurations.
The original announcement, available here, has been met with great interest and positive feedback.
“When you make an announcement of this size – a multi-million dollar investment that both preserves and adds to our Thunderbolt racetrack – you are definitely anxious to hear and read how it is received in the motorsports community,” commented Brad Scott, President and Chief Operating Officer at NJMP. “I am thrilled with the support and enthusiasm people have for our project. It reinforces our direction and decisions.”
Additional details and designs are now available to share.
The project will begin the second week of October 2023, starting with the milling and paving itself to complete that in the first few weeks, allowing for the longest possible cure time before being put into use. Then the focus will turn to work on the curbing throughout the circuit, as well as the changes and enhancements to the areas surrounding the track described below. The entire project will be completed by the beginning of February 2024 with first rentals starting in March 2024.
“The new course configurations got a lot of attention and fun, positive feedback,” shared Scott. “We’ve been working with our partners at Technical Track Design to refine the designs and details.”
Thunderbolt – Turn 5 through Turn 11 with the Paperclip, The 90, and safety infrastructure
The most significant changes and additions for the new Thunderbolt are in the area of Turn 7 through Turn 11. Two new layouts will be created alongside the original complex – the Paperclip, and The 90 – along with a new gravel pit and the expanded runoff, guardrail relocation, layered tire bundles, and mobile tire bundles required for the new course configurations.
As soon as we turn the lights out for the 2023 season, work begins on our classic Thunderbolt race circuit.
The classic Thunderbolt circuit will be repaved. In addition, new course configurations will be built giving a total of six different layouts available for use: the original Thunderbolt, and two new options code-named The Clip and The 90, each available with or without the Turn 3 chicane.
Other enhancements will be done including reprofiling Turn 1 with additional racing room and run-off area, changes to the curbing in select areas, modifications in the Turns 7-11 area to enable the new course configurations, and new viewing areas.
Check back often for news, updates, design drawings, and pictures once the construction is underway!
Thunderbolt – reborn – bigger and better than ever.
About New Jersey Motorsports Park:
New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) is a 500 acre multi-purpose event and entertainment destination located in Millville, NJ. NJMP has a rich history dating back to 2008, and is home to over 300 full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees.
NJMP’s diverse events include something for everyone from car and motorcycle races both modern and vintage, to concerts, comedy, food truck festivals, 5K obstacle runs, monster trucks and Motorless Nights for biking and hiking. In addition, NJMP’s daily operations feature karting, axe-throwing, airsoft, lodging, as well as a restaurant, pub, and full event catering facilities. NJMP hosts an average of 600,000 people per year including fans, customers, drivers, riders, crew and visitors to this premier one-of-a-kind South Jersey venue.
The park includes two world-class road courses, Thunderbolt and Lightning Raceway, two motorsports country club membership programs for cars and motorcycles, and one of the top outdoor karting complexes in the U.S. - Tempest Raceway. NJMP continues to develop commercial and private real estate opportunities including its Exotic Car Garage private garage condominiums and the NJMP Speedplex featuring performance/automotive services and more.
Stay up to speed with NJMP by calling (856) 327-8000, visiting www.njmp.com or following on Twitter: @NJMP, Instagram: @njmotorsportspark, and Facebook: New Jersey Motorsports Park - NJMP.
Thunderbolt – final design