Jim,
Congradulations on your purchase and your first drive. As for a dead pedal, here are a couple of threads that may be helpful:
http://www.usa7s.net/vb/showthread.php?t=9706&highlight=dead+pedal
http://www.usa7s.net/vb/showthread.php?t=9014&highlight=dead+pedal
As for the NJMP guys, you definitley need to hook up with those fellas; lots of fun to hang out with, both on and off track.
:cheers: