Big races, big crowd, big success in Millville
By JOEL LANDAU
The Daily Journal

MILLVILLE -- New Jersey Motorsports Park officials say the facility took a major step forward last weekend as about 30,000 spectators attended the Grand Am Rolex Sportscar Series and the facility got its first national audience.

But they also know there's more work to be done.

Park co-owner Joe Savaro labeled the park's first professional race a great success, but said the staff also took away lessons they'll need to heed.

"It was a great experience, but I know things could be better," he said. "We're not done, but this is a world-class facility. Overall we hit the nail on the head."

The owner said the 7-week-old park must im-prove how it moves people through the sprawling facility. The park used trolleys to transport race fans at the Grand Am event and also plans to use them for the next major event, the ARCA RE/MAX Series on Sept. 26-28.

As more visitors streamed into the park than ever before, lines formed at the entrance for the first time.

Some traffic congestion occurred along Dividing Creek Road, but the city's police department reported no major problems or accidents.

J.J. O'Malley, communications manager for the series, said Grand Am and park officials are in negotiations to return to Millville in 2009 but said he didn't know when an announcement could be expected.

A large amount of dirt on Thunderbolt Raceway due to the lack of grass and curbing on the side of the 2.25-mile track affected races, but O'Malley said series officials understand the park is still growing. Drivers also were very happy with the facility's amenities and challenging course, he said.

The Grand Am weekend was a key one for the motorsports park, which is envisioned as a major economic engine for long-struggling Cumberland County. It put Millville in the spotlight by bringing a national TV audience, as several hours of racing were broadcast live on the SPEED Network.

The park impressed a number of South Jersey residents who were new to the facility, which is now the largest entertainment venue in Cumberland County.

Haddonfield resident Ray Kupiec attended the park for the first time Sunday. He has a season pass and plans to attend the rest of the events scheduled in the weeks ahead.

Kupiec has seen the Grand Am series on television, but "to see in person is kind of cool," he said.

"I can't wait to see it when it's all finished," he said of the park.

Millville resident Otis Truitt visited the park for the second time and said he's learning as much as he can.

"I'm really a novice," he said. "As I come more, I'll figure out what to do."

The success from the past weekend was a triumph for many people in Cumberland County who supported the project over the years, Freeholder Director Louis Magazzu said.

"Government is hard; politics is hard," he said. "It's days like today that make it all worthwhile."

Magazzu said the Grand Am weekend was merely just the beginning.

"This reinforces my belief in this project and motivates me to do more," he said. "It's going to get bigger and bigger. We have to find a way to translate this success into all areas of the county."

Greg Oldham, producer for SPEED Network, which televised Sunday's GT and Daytona Prototype races, said the park had a stellar debut.

"This is fantastic for them to do what they've done," he said. "You have to give them credit."

Oldham said it was the local residents who made the weekend special.

"I appreciate coming to a place like this, where people come up to you and say 'We're proud of this.' Everyone in town when we were out to eat or where we stayed was really supportive of this event," Oldham said. "I've been to first professional races at other events, and it wasn't like that. I have memories here that will stay with me for a long time. I look forward to coming back."