Engines to Hum Soon at Millville Raceway
Link: http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/182/story/194418.html
PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY

Millville, N.J. (June 30, 2008) – The long wait is almost over.

On Saturday, New Jersey Motorsports Park will open its gate to members and offer a sneak peak of the facility and the chance to drive on the racing world's newest road course.

But the work has just begun.

Late Sunday afternoon, Ken Grammer, NJMP's managing director, was riding around the facility supervising some of the final details. Work at a raceway is never complete, he said, as it's an ever-changing business that requires constant attention, but as far as preparedness goes, they're almost there.

"Right now, we're just fine-tuning some of the landscaping," Grammer said. "Quite honestly, most everything is ready to go. Everything is on schedule for the Lightning Course. We're basically ready to open now."

The Lightning track is one of two courses, along with the Thunderbolt Raceway, that will comprise the raceways at the 700-acre, $150 million park. All of the guardrails and safety precautions are in place on the track, he said, and on Saturday the park's members will be the first to race on it.

While the track is in great condition, he said, it's the details that are now the focus. In addition to landscaping, signage is in place and the entryway has been striped, among other things.

The anticipation, unlike cutting the grass and planting shrubs, isn't something that can be addressed ahead of time.

"The interest in the park, from where I sit, is from the professional race series, international race series all the way down to the grass-roots level, to the fans that can't wait to come and see a race," he said.

General manager Don Fauerbach said work is being done around the clock to prepare for the opening.

From issuing credentials and memberships to printing tickets, finalizing sales and training employees, Fauerbach said that teamwork is what it will take to open the park.

"We're excited," he said, after spending all day Sunday at the track. "All hands are on deck right now and everyone is working all day and night, from left to right."

There are moments, Fauerbach said, when it all begins to sink in.

The first time that happened was 13 months ago when the first bulldozer appeared at the site adjacent to the Millville Municipal Airport. It was then, he said, that he bought a bottle of champagne and celebrated.

The second feeling came Friday as he and other NJMP staff relocated their offices to the track's clubhouse. The next time he expects the feeling to really sink in is when the first green flag drops.

"We're just happy for the people of this town," he said. "This has been a dream for so many people."

To e-mail Edward Van Embden at The Press:
evanembden@pressofac.com