North Florida Motorsports Park - First Visit

[Admin]

I was at NFMP in Jennings Florida this weekend for its inaugural event.  Just thought I'd give people my thoughts on the track (as little as they are!).

For those that don't know, NFMP is a brand new track in north Florida.  It is built "by motorcyclists for motorcycles", and they claim that there will be no car races there, just motorcycle and cart.  Ed Bargy played some role in designing the track (according to something I read).

Anyway, NFMP is currently a concrete track located in the middle of...sand.  There is not yet any green run-off, but I didn't use the run-off, so it was ok by me.  The run-off is great, even as sand.  Nothing to hit anywhere.   Don't know when the track management plans to get the grass in.  Speaking of management, the managers name is Julian, and he seems like a nice guy who is very excited about his new track.

Ok, so lets get to the meet of the track.  The track is a 2 (?) mile track with 14 corners.  You travel counterclockwise on the track.  Turn one is a large sweeper that you can carry really good speed into, keeping to the inside.  Getting on the gas out of turn one there are three little left kinks that barely slow you down before reaching the chicane, a quick left right left into a double-apex left, which starts the technical part of the course.  The technical part continues through corner 12, into a small straight to 13 and 14, then down the front straight into turn one.

My opinion?  Well, this is only the second track that I have been to besides Roebling.  The track is fun!  Turn one is great, and then into the chicane which I definitely need some help with!  The technical part of the course gives you a good workout, being just about the right length before you finally get the rest into the straight.  I really enjoyed the track, and can't wait to go back and see if I can improve on my poor 1:37 time (best I saw this weekend was 1:26).

Shawn

[RickyRacer]

Thanks for the update. I have been dying to here more about this track. But where are the pics? ;)

[Admin]

Thanks for the update. I have been dying to here more about this track. But where are the pics? ;)
[/quote

I'll try and get some up tomorrow, but no promises because my girlfriend isn't so good with the camera :)

[RickyRacer]

Great :)

[CB]

What's this I hear about your girlfriend not being so good with the camera?!   ???  Be nice...last time I checked the pics were crystal clear, m'dear!   ::)

Like riding, taking pics of riders is a skill that must be developed.  And that practice, of course, presumes that the bike remains on two wheels long enough to snap a few shots.   :P

I do believe we're both improving.   ;)


 :-*

[RickyRacer]

Oh, Oh

[CB]

Okayyyy...I'll admit my first few groups of shots were blurry, but I've since improved!  Honest!    ::)

The new park really is impressive.  From a spectator's point of view the track layout is awesome.  From one vantage point I could see a lart majority of the track.  I don't know if this will continue to be the case as traffic increases and the track's surrounding land is developed.  No matter...there will be PLENTY of great vantage points!

The more technical part of the track is impressive to see and the stright in the front is juuuust long enough to provide some passing action.  Judging from the rider's faces as they came off the track they LOVED the course.

Julian and the rest of the track staff were very very accommodating and welcoming.  I can't WAIT to see the greenery go in and the track facilities built out.  I'm quite sure that it will be impressive!

I hope everyone gets out there at LEAST once to check it out!

[SliderPhoto]

Doh! Busted! :)

The picture looks great to me!

[RickyRacer]

 The track is a 2 (?) mile track with 14 corners.  

Shawn

On their page they say the course has 9 turns.  ???

[RickyRacer]

Road the track this weekend.  Great track, fast and technical. Track should be easier to ride once the grass grows up around the track and get a few more skid marks.  It's kinda feels like your racing on the street cus there's very few distinctive visible reference points around the track. There is no grass around the track so sand gets on it but you can't see it.

Turn 1 and 8 were biting riders all day.  
Had a good day. Managed a 1:30.7 on a 748.  ::) Fastest guy out there was expert racer Robert Caraway  Florida region # 729  on his GSXR 750. Managed a 1:25 lap. So I guess I did aright.

[Admin]

Turn 1 and 8 were biting riders all day.  
Had a good day. Managed a 1:30.7 on a 748.  ::) Fastest guy out there was expert racer Robert Caraway  Florida region # 729  on his GSXR 750. Managed a 1:25 lap. So I guess I did aright.

Ok, next time I go out, I'm following you around.  I've been out there twice, and my best has been a 1:37!!  I'm stuck in a rut...

Shawn

[RickyRacer]

You're on Shawn.
Turn 1 is like you said. It looks fast but will bite you if you try to hit it fast. It's best to concentrate on getting a good drive out.

I found my times started to come down as soon as I started to go WOT after coming out of turn 1 and not let off till just before turn 3. Line up turn 3 by staying to the left of center and take 3 and 4 like they aren't there. If you get it right, You don't get hard on the brakes till after 4 and into 5.

I late apex turn 6 & 7.  Turn 9 can have you carry too much speed into 10. Be careful not to hit 10 too hard.

I could not figure out turn 10 and 11. This section has an extra turn that is not numbered.  It's between 10 and 11. It's a little kink but it kept missing me up. ASAP, go WOT coming out of turn 11 and through 12.

I was running 14t front and 40t rear on my 748. So into 13 I did not need to down shift.

Turn 13 and 14 are very important. You can carry go speed into 13. As soon as you get leaned over get back on the gas and drift wide past the apex then go WOT ASAP. You will drift close to the edge left side of the track after 14 but should have room to lean over and hold it pined. When I got it right, I would be WOT at the apex of turn 14.

I like this track cus it does not award high HP bikes. Just my type of track. :D

I hope this helps.

I won't be back your way till April 6 for their first CCS race.

BTW, what do you race.