yellowss7 Posted June 29, 2020 Share Posted June 29, 2020 Croc, Simon, Jeff and I had a great day on track yesterday on TBolt at NJMP. That track is really good for our Sevens as it has some nice tight sections with weight transfer areas that really play to our light weight cars. NJMP seems to have their act together as far as the logistics go. Sign in and tech are outdoors, masked required and everyone seems to be social distancing properly. Drivers meeting was outdoors, over loud speaker or you could sit in your car or truck and listen in on FM radio. Breakfast was outdoors, while the chef was inside handing the plates out thru a pass thru window. Lunch was plated and set at tables outdoors, Some played nice and sat at the opposite side of a long table, others not so much. Option to take it out and eat back in the paddock was available. Most drivers set up chairs in large circles 6 or more feet apart and that seemed to work pretty well for socializing. All in all, very well run IMO. We are now just over 3 months away from our 10th annual Se7ens gathering at NJMP. Seems Croc and I got lucky in pushing the date later in the year than usual eh? Just wanted to give you all a heads up and prod you to get your cars ready while you still have time. Don't wait until the week before as usual. :smash: Hopefully things will get better in a few more months. There has been a few management changes since last year, so Croc and I have a little more work to do to get the registration process finalized, but that shouldn't be a major issue. Stay tuned. Stay Safe. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted July 26, 2020 Author Share Posted July 26, 2020 So we got six sevens together at NJMP Lightning today. Usual story - Simon sprays off at the 4th corner leaving Seb to scramble to avoid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted July 26, 2020 Author Share Posted July 26, 2020 Dry run for our October event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted July 26, 2020 Author Share Posted July 26, 2020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted July 26, 2020 Author Share Posted July 26, 2020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlin Posted July 27, 2020 Share Posted July 27, 2020 :seeya: Croc, you forgot one. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted July 27, 2020 Author Share Posted July 27, 2020 Hi Steve, You were so quick I could not get a photo! Still rehydrating to recover from yesterdays heat! Cheers mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 Wish I was there. My engine's still in CA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowss7 Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 Get R Done John. In fact Croc and I were just talking and we decided you should get a spare one done up too just in case your son gets too exuberant again :smash: Hopefully it will be done by October. Can’t wait to see it go. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 The thought has crossed my mind... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted July 29, 2020 Author Share Posted July 29, 2020 You must be proud to have a son that uses all of 10000rpm on a Duratec.... ...you taught him well! :-p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anker Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 Does it make any sense to come if I don't plan to take the Caterham on to the track? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowss7 Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 (edited) Only if you want to hang out with a bunch of fun crazy 7 owners. :driving: You’d have to try really hard not to laugh a lot and have a good time. KitKat alone is worth the price of admission.:rofl: They are currently not allowing passengers due to the COVID. But we are hoping that might change. I think it would be unlikely to be transmitted in an open car at speed wearing a full helmet. But I’m not a doctor. But if they change the policy. Croc, JohnB, Simon and I are instructors and can take passengers. Oh. And you should have a thick skin and good sense of humor as there is usually a fair amount of good natured ball busting. :smilielol5: Hopefully you will join us and have some fun. Tom I’ll also add that if you’ve never been on track before the do have a novice group that is led by a pace car and is a great way to learn your car and the track in a progressive way. Edited July 30, 2020 by yellowss7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted July 30, 2020 Author Share Posted July 30, 2020 (edited) Does it make any sense to come if I don't plan to take the Caterham on to the track? I think it does for a variety of reasons: 1) You get to meet in person a bunch of like-minded car enthusiasts and geek out on their cars and how they solved problems encountered in their ownership. You will take away something new from the experience. You can build a network of local enthusiasts for joining you at club events, back road drives, autocross, etc. 2) As Tom noted, a bunch of us are instructors and can give instructor rides so you get a sense of what the cars can do in their natural environment they were designed for. I have already been negotiating the resumption of instructor rides in open cars - that should be resolved by September. There will be precautions to keep people safe - disinfected helmets, nomex balaclava (as a mask), open roof car only, etc. Final details still evolving but all looks achievable. 3) Its exciting - where else would you get to see Simon, Seb, Mike, ....who else?.....oh yes Dan, spray off into the scenery when they run out of talent. The 4 story observation tower at Thunderbolt gives a spectacular view of the track. 4) If you are a keen photographer, then bring your camera and I can have you shadow the official track photographer, Mike. Top guy. 5) If you are new to circuit driving, then maybe sit in the green group classroom session to pick up some ideas. 6) If you dont bring the seven but you have another suitable road car then think about signing up for the green group which uses a pace car to start slow and build up gradually. 7) Join in the comedy. This is not a serious event. Its not timed. We are relaxed. We are laughing. Its very social. I understand Covid-19 has caused many to re-evaluate plans for later this year but we have resumed days at the track and it has been good on a social distancing basis. They are still fine tuning the breakfasts and dinners for social distancing but it has been on the right track and to be fair they are struggling with the various Government chopping and changing of rules/regs this year. I expect everything to be perfect there by October. The only part of the event we have not decided on yet in a post-Covid world is the dinners. But I think I may solve that via BBQ catering at the garage where I can socially distance people at tables given the space available there. No rush to make a decision now - long ways before October. Edited July 30, 2020 by Croc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBDA Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 Anker - my advice is that if you are going to drive all the way down there, bring the seven and get it on the track. It'll be worth the hassle and expense of renting a trailer and truck, if you need to. Does it make any sense to come if I don't plan to take the Caterham on to the track? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anker Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 My hesitation about taking it on the track isn't because I haven't driven on tracks. It is more that the harness is a 4-point and old and it just has the standard roll bar. I have had my Porsche Boxsters on tracks many times. I am also taking a Chris Barbar one-day racing class this coming Monday at Lime Rock Park. It sounds like a great time, so I'll give it serious consideration! Anker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vovchandr Posted August 10, 2020 Share Posted August 10, 2020 How quickly do these VIP suits fill up? I thought in being ahead of the curve this year but it's already sold out across the board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted August 10, 2020 Author Share Posted August 10, 2020 (edited) Vlad - I am shocked if it is sold out. I think the booking engine on the NJMP website was turned off for COVID and I dont think it was turned back on. I would call them in person. Failing that then you should find reasonable prices at Fairfield, Holiday Inn, or Hampton/Summerfield in Vineland - its off season. I looked up the calendar for that weekend. Nothing on the Tues to Thurs. On Friday there is Drivers Club and Classic Car Club of Manhattan plus some karting. On Saturday, it is Drivers Club and NJ PCA. Sunday is NJ PCA and Riders (Bike) Club. Most will be close enough to not bother staying overnight. PCA folks stay at the Fairfield or Hampton Inn. Riders Club live in camper vans or tents. One good thing of checking the calendar, the Thursday at TBolt is open for me to book a test day. Edited August 10, 2020 by Croc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vovchandr Posted August 10, 2020 Share Posted August 10, 2020 Vlad - I am shocked if it is sold out. I think the booking engine on the NJMP website was turned off for COVID and I dont think it was turned back on. I would call them in person. Failing that then you should find reasonable prices at Fairfield, Holiday Inn, or Hampton/Summerfield in Vineland - its off season. I looked up the calendar for that weekend. Nothing on the Tues to Thurs. On Friday there is Drivers Club and Classic Car Club of Manhattan plus some karting. On Saturday, it is Drivers Club and NJ PCA. Sunday is NJ PCA and Riders (Bike) Club. Most will be close enough to not bother staying overnight. PCA folks stay at the Fairfield or Hampton Inn. Riders Club live in camper vans or tents. One good thing of checking the calendar, the Thursday at TBolt is open for me to book a test day. Fun fact. Karting reserved every single VIP/Villa and garage. I was put on a standby list. In meantime reservation made in town nearby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted August 10, 2020 Author Share Posted August 10, 2020 Karting booked out the accommodation? Wow That’s a first. Never seen that happen in 10 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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