Times at NJMSP Lightning?

#1

I had my very first competition in my new SE30 at NJMSP Lightning, and was trying to gauge what are “fast, ok, mediocre” lap times at this course. Unfortunately, in the “SpecE30 Records” link, it appears to one of the courses with no data! Additionally, I’ve never driven this track before.

This was an EMRA event, and there was only one other SE30 there and he was having mechanical problems (Ray, it was a pleasure to meet you, I hope your tranny problems are minor!).

Just wondering what other’s experience on this course is…

Regards,
Josh

p.s. I have to say that the folks at EMRA were incredible nice and accommodating to run with. After I was completely outgunned on Friday (put into a run group with Ferrari Challenge, Panoz, Vettes, etc. and lapped 2x by the said Panoz), the board chair (Bill Giltzow), decided to honor the SE30 class and let us run like that in the slower run group! very very cool. I’d encourage folks to try one of their events if you haven’t already.

#2

Josh I dont believe there has ever been a spec e30 race at Lightening. A good time would be somewhere around 1:19 I believe. a raced there last year and the car wasnt right and I was in the 1:21 neigborhood. How is the new car?

#3

andrew240z wrote:

I’ll have to wait until the race results from mylaps show up, but in qualifying I was in the 1:23 neighborhood - I was learning a lot both days (the track and the car). I was using last year’s R888’s that were already mounted, and I don’t know the history of # heat cycles, etc., but the tread wear looked pretty even, and the tire pressures were very consistent at all 4 corners - driver’s side tires coming in about 1 PSI higher (40-41 hot) - makes sense on that track. I have no complaints with the way the motor pulled, and after 6 stints, the oil is still looks new.

I know I left a lot of time on the track (turn 1, and the left hander after the bridge), but 4 seconds is a LOT! I’ll follow-up to this thread as soon as my times get posted up.

Cheers,
Josh

#4

Glad to hear the car is running well. I think turn 1 is a really fast turn if you have the guts for it. I found myself going much faster in that turn than I thought I could and I was still not going 10 10ths. Its a great track.

#5

mahoneyj wrote:

And thank you much for the tip! So far so good!

I really hope I had my quickest times in Saturday’s race - i was able to get behind some quick cars and play a little “follow the leader”, and it certainly felt faster, but that can be deceiving… I’ll trust what the transponder says!

#6

1:22.4 was my fast lap from the race on Saturday - looks like I need to drive faster :slight_smile:

My best on the Friday race was 1:24.0 (same tires, same track conditions), so clearly I was finding time. I think a few more times on the track and I could find another second, but 3 more - hmmmm.

Cheers all,
Josh

Lap Chart for JOSHUA HUGHES
NJMP - Lightning Circuit (Sat)
July 11th 2009

Fast Lap: 1:22.435 on Lap#13…Print…Close
Lap# Lap Time Lap# Lap Time Lap# Lap Time
1 1:29.028 7 1:22.938 13 1:22.435
2 1:23.730 8 1:22.619 14 1:22.575
3 1:24.549 9 1:22.605 15 1:22.935
4 1:24.188 10 1:22.711 16 1:22.826
5 1:23.748 11 1:22.894
6 1:23.636 12 1:22.629