After all these DE's and open track days at various tracks the last few years, I am finally getting around to Lightning with NNJR October 14 & 15. Been to Thunderbolt a few times, but never Lightning.
I could use some "pre-1st time" help learning the line before I do my first ever laps there.
Any help with some in car video of Lightning would be appreciated.
So would any advice about driving the track.
Thanks in advance all..

 

Turn 5, make sure you nail the apex and your wheel is straight when you crest the hill (sort of like the uphill at LRP). Ask me how I know...

 

Thanks J. Any Lightning video?

 

My off:

 

oh definitely go on the track walk. You'll be amazed how much camber there is in the light bulb. Thats a fun section, you can really put the hammer down there.

 

Couple of things to know:

T 1 - You wil see some sealant as you start the turn in. Center it under your car and you will take that turn perfectly.
T 2 - As you enter into the turn know that the approach to 3 is a continuous arc from 3-4
T-5 - Instead of heading to the turn in cone, use a banana loop approach, which will help with T5
T-7 - Sharp LH. Apex it early, breathe off the accelerator to help with the turn in. It will set you up for a faster exit.
Sweeper - Two things:
1) 3/4 the way around there is a depression which can help to get down to the inner part.
2) As you exit, the setup to the straight is not easy to see. There is some sealant as you exit the sweeper. Keep it under the center of your car.

Only real caution is T5, if you early apex it and get in trouble - runoff to grass on the left. There is so much negative camber in an early apex that the car will snap. Ask me how I know!! I made love to the tire wall in an open wheel car and am still picking sand out of my body parts.

Above all have fun.

 

Lightning HPDE guide: http://winhpde.com/track-guide/njmp-lightning/

 

T-1 - be cognizant not to early apex. There is also a hill at the track out. Wheel should be straight.

If you early apex and still have some steering input as you crest the hill running out of track at track out you will become intimately familiar with the inside tire wall. Ask me how I know.

Exhibit A: Skid marks leading to the tire wall

 

Thanks folks. Great stuff. Keep it coming....


(No, I will not ask any of you "how you know". Pretty sure I already know "how you know". Thanks.)

 

Have fun! I actually prefer driving Lighting over Thunderbolt

 

To me the main difference between the 2 is the technical section, T-Bolt is toward the end and Lightning is in the beginning. Both have a carousel. Good times.

 

Lightning is a fun track.
I have only been once, but it was a great day.
Turn 5, uphill as J has shown took a few laps for me to get comfortable with.
The large banked turn before you hit the main straight away, looks so different when you are standing on the ground looking up compared to driving around it.
I was at a Metro NY event, nice people.
Have fun

 

Yeah, I know a few MNY folks, and they are definitely a fun bunch.
That JLanka dude, what a hoot!!

Keep the Lightning advice and videos coming folks. Much appreciated. (And I have a couple weeks to study them).

 

Average speed is higher on Lightning, for sure. The first three corners are really, really fun. The rest is not bad.

 

Lightning is a better track in my opinion than Thunderbolt. It’s harder to keep up the momentum on Lightning than Thunderbolt and the use of terrain make it more fun.

I will be at Lightning for the NNJR event and happy to help out any drivers, but won’t be driving and can not get in cars due to my current medical challenges.