About this event
About the 2025 event
Hosted at New Jersey Motorsports Park’s Thunderbolt Raceway, drivers will have the opportunity to hot lap around the former IMSA track layout. Freshly paved ahead of last season, Thunderbolt Raceway offers a great mix of high speed and challenging corners. Drivers and passengers will have plenty of opportunity to experience the thrills and excitement this track has to offer.
In 2013 through 2016 Solomon Rosenthal (TNPMM), Bryan Humphries (TNPMM), and Joe Casella (NASA NorthEast) teamed up to run the motorsports segment of the CBS Television show, Triumph Games. This special program put injured veterans through a variety of challenges, mental and physical, to win a cash prize while highlighting their stories. The goal of the show was to inspire others who were facing obstacles in their lives to overcome them through determination and the resources available.
Years later, Joe Casella brought up the idea of once more doing something between the two organizations (NASA and TNPMM) that would benefit veterans. The concept was simple; Use something we were all intimately familiar with to raise money for local Veterans Causes. We decided an open track day where skilled drivers could take veterans for ride alongs, while offering a whole lot of track time for experienced drivers. Partnering with New Jersey Motorsports Park and Elite Auto Service as presenting sponsors has allowed us to continue our mission into our third and best year yet!
The Details
A simple open track day with passes via point by’s and ride alongs with Professional drivers. Veteran Ride alongs are free, Veteran drivers are ½ price at $175, and regular drivers are $350. This is a Self-Tech event, tech sheets must be brought along with safety equipment to the Tech inspection center (Helmets must be SA2015 or newer) HANS and HYBRID Systems are strongly encouraged but not mandatory. Please check your tires ahead of time. We strongly discourage running tires more than 5 years old regardless of how they may look. Any vehicle with tires that have visible Dry Rot will not be allowed on track.
During Lunchtime we allow anyone and everyone to get on track for parade laps. This highway speed experience requires no helmet and is the perfect way for everyone to experience the track.
A section of the paddock will be dedicated for a car show for those who want to get involved but do not want to track their vehicles. Pending sponsorship, we will offer some trophies based on classes/vehicle types.
Charity
This year we have partnered with A Write to Heal. A local 501c3 whose mission is to provide trauma survivors pathways to healing through writing, filmmaking, and job apprenticeships. The organization focuses on the needs of veterans, first responders, and their families. Apart from offering mental wellness services through writing exercises to provide support, guidance, and motivation, they offer a Part 107 Commercial Drone Pilot certification program. The Part 107 initiative is notable because it allows wheelchair bound veterans a job skill which can be done while seated, opening up new job possibilities across a variety of industries.
THE GOAL!
It costs The Part 107 Training Program $3,641 per Veteran to put them through training and to take the certification test. Outfitting the Veteran with a Drone and Peripherals to they can begin their own business, raises the total cost to $6,949 per Veteran. It is our goal to raise enough to change the lives of 5 veterans by raising $34,745.
SPONSORSHIPS ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR:
- Live Music
- Family Games
- Food/Drink options
Schedule
Event requirements
This is a Self-Tech event, tech sheets must be brought along with safety equipment to the Tech inspection center (Helmets must be SA2015 or newer) HANS and HYBRID Systems are strongly encouraged but not mandatory. Please check your tires ahead of time. We strongly discourage running tires more than 5 years old regardless of how they may look. Any vehicle with tires that have visible Dry Rot will not be allowed on track. This event adheres to all restrictions placed on drivers and cars by New Jersey Motorsports Park, including the inability for EV's/Hybrids to run on track.
