Englishtown Test
Englishtown, NJ–G. Jezarian Racing participated in a test at the newly constructed road course at Englishtown Raceway Park in Old Bridge Township, NJ. The Race Car Club of America organized the day to test the efficacy of actually racing formula cars on the road course. Raceway Park has been a Mecca for drag racers from all across America since 1965. Jezarian was excited to be one of the first formula car racers to ever drive the new track: “I got my start racing with the RCCA in the late 80’s with my dad, if it weren’t for them neither my father nor I would have started racing formula cars. I was honored to help them out”
The morning of the test was not formula car friendly however. “We woke early in the morning to find the temperature hovering near 30 degrees in NY, so we were concerned about getting heat in the car” said Monika Mandok. “Even starting the engine in those conditions can blow it up so we began the preheating process before we even left the shop and towed the entire way with the generator running and the trailer heaters on full.”
There were six Formula Ford drivers and Jezarian as the lone FA participating in the test which ran 4 variations of the track’s 1.35 mile layout. The track was extremely cold and there were debris and puddles scattered throughout the track and mainly on the racing line.
Monty Mathisen: “I think I spent more time trying to get heat in engine and gearbox than he spent out on the track. We kept the car in the trailer and preheated everything then started it and got it to temp and shut it down several times to let the heat soak. I don’t like running a racing engine in these temps so we were extra vigilant. I walked the track with everyone and saw all the debris so Ramiro and I did our part in clean-up and it didn’t involve using a broom. I ran a few dozen laps in Ramiro’s Porsche 911t and it was more fun than Greg had in the racecar! All wheel drive drifts at full boost have a way of making me smile. I was out there with a street car, with street tires and all wheel drive and I still couldn’t make it stick at all. I came back and told him where there trouble spots were and he kept his nose clean the rest of the test. Regardless of conditions, it’s really nice to be at a race track this late in the year.”
Gregory Jezarian: “It was so cold and impossible to get any tire temps but I’m grateful I was invited. My main objective was to gently break in the new ring and pinion. If I had to wait until next season to do that we would have wasted a valuable test day. This worked out perfectly and I got to help out the RCCA so we weren’t concerned with speed. The 1,400 foot straightaway is 50ft wide and the only part of the track where I could really stretch her legs once or twice and the data showed we were hitting 124mph before throwing the anchor out early. The track had few passing zones and several safety issues that need to be addressed. Because of it’s proximity I wouldn’t hesitate to run the track again for testing laps. It’s got higher and low speed turns and beats running on the local airstrip but you won’t find me running a race there. I think the track is geared more for DE track days, racing schools or possibly motorcycles if they work on removing some of the obstacles in the runoff areas. I’d love to run the shifter-kart there or even the old supermoto bike but it’s just not a viable option for an Atlantic car.”
