Monticello Motor Club: Exclusive track opens near NYC
Science-fiction writers have predicted this time and time again: one day mankind would discover Heaven somewhere in the vastness of Space. Nobody ever figured it would be in upstate New York, though. But so be it: the Monticello Motor Club, a seemingly heavenly combination of country club and racing track that just opened yesterday.
The concept is to provide a challenging circuit with the amenities and exclusivity of a country club. The track runs over four miles long with 22 corners and can be set up in any of 12 different configurations. Members can drive their own cars – at an hour and a half drive (or 25-min helicopter ride) it's the closest track to Manhattan – to the club, have them stored their, or rent from a fleet of sportscars (even a claimed F1 racer) on site. Advanced driving and racing courses will be on offer, as well as logistical planning for members' entry into racing events. And when the moneyed club member gets exhausted from driving all out on the track – or, as the club puts it, for accompanying spouses – the Monticello Motor Club offers a five-star club house, complete with spa and a planned luxury hotel. Membership, which is limited to a maximum of 500, costs $125,000 to join and $7,500 minimum each year, but with facilities like these and charter members including Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Glickenhaus and Jeff Gordon, you can bet New York's car-crazed elite will be lining up to join... and we'll be cozying up for a guest pass.
[Source: Monticello Motor Club]
PRESS RELEASE:
MONTICELLO MOTOR CLUB REDEFINES AUTO LUXURY JULY 27 WITH STUNNING RACE RESORT GRAND OPENING
Celebrating a Revolution in Automotive Lifestyle, Exclusive Track Club Just Outside Manhattan Offers Lavish Amenities, Full-Service Track, and Unparalleled Luxury
MONTICELLO, N.Y. - Completely revolutionizing the concept of automotive luxury by creating the first-ever country club driving resort, Monticello Motor Club will proudly celebrate the grand opening of its cutting-edge track Sunday, July 27.
Just a short 90-minute drive from Manhattan, the Monticello Motor Club not only delivers a world-class circuit with breathtaking thrills, but also offers a luxurious array of trackside amenities, vehicle storage, and a country club facility to impeccably meet any need. Nestled amongst breathtaking hilltops with scenic forests and a crystalline lake nearby, the Monticello Motor Club presents discriminating enthusiasts with a 4.1-mile track which includes 22 unique turns, 12 distinct configurations and over 1.5 miles of straights. Designed through the combined effort of Brian Redman, world-famous driving champion and winner of 77 races in 12 countries, and Bruce Hawkins, an established track architect and engineer of some of the best racetracks in the world, the Monticello Motor Club has some of the fastest track segments available anywhere.
"We have incorporated exciting elements from some of the world's most famous tracks while delivering a circuit unique in design and character," said Monticello Motor Club President Bill McMichael. "The goal of the Monticello Motor Club is to provide a completely new way for enthusiasts to conveniently experience the very best in automotive luxury and performance driving."
The Monticello Motor Club, at 67 Cantrell Road, Monticello, NY 12701, will mark its official grand opening on July 27 with a special first-class reception. Those invited will include founding members, local and regional dignitaries and several members of the media.
With a helipad on site, members can sprint from New York City to the private club in just under 25 minutes, or fly a private jet into the SullivanCountyInternationalAirport, just minutes away from the track. The highly exclusive resort will offer only 500 Resident memberships with an initiation fee of $125,000 (U.S.) and annual dues of $7,500. A limited number of National and International memberships are also available.
And for a limited time, the Monticello Motor Clubis offering a select few the opportunity to become Founding Members who receive additional benefits and privileges, including priority track reservations, preferred choice of locker, vehicle and equipment storage location, a custom Founding Member race suit and helmet, and an early license salability.
For its inaugural season, the Monticello Motor Clubis offering its members and their guests dining, a lounge, massage services, and a technical briefing room - all in a climate-controlled environment. Also available will be professional driving instruction, a secure, climate-controlled storage facility, general automobile maintenance services, and a fleet of rental vehicles.
Members' immediate families are allowed unlimited access to the resort and its amenities, while a cache of non-member guest passes are also available. The Monticello Motor Club's event staff is also available to plan special events for members.
Future driving seasons will offer a 20,000-square-foot Member's Pavilion complete with hot-pit garages, locker rooms, a full-service kitchen, conference rooms, and a four-story glass tower with sweeping views of the track. Plans also include the construction of a world-class, 30,000-square-foot clubhouse, where luxury amenities will be delivered for members and their guests. In addition, overnight accommodations and expanded fitness and spa facilities will become available.
For more information or membership inquires, please call 877-578-RACE (7223) or visit Monticello Motor Club online to a download membership application at www.monticellomotorclub.com .
About Monticello Motor Club
The Monticello Motor Club was founded as the ultimate private race resort for discerning enthusiasts with a passion for driving. Located just a 90-minute drive from Manhattan, the Monticello Motor Club offers a vast array of trackside amenities and up to 200 days of track time annually. For more information, please visit www.monticellomotorclub.com.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Wally 5:45PM (7/28/2008)
Wow, $7500 per year and I can't imagine the New York State racing season is much longer than 7-8 months. I didn't expect something like this in upstate NY.
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dustandechoes91 5:50PM (7/28/2008)
Looks better than the one in joliet, IL.
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cyb 6:07PM (7/28/2008)
Well there is already autobahn country club in Joliet IL.
http://www.autobahncountryclub.net/
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Dasupersprint 6:10PM (7/28/2008)
Is there a cheaper way to go on a track and beat the hell out of your car without being member of an expensive club or anything...Just a pay-per-lap, basically like the Nürburgring, but...closer?
I'm in Québec, Canada, and I never saw anything like this.
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cyb 6:15PM (7/28/2008)
The on in Joliet allows for 4 hours of fun in their BMW for $565.
mteator 6:21PM (7/28/2008)
Dasupersprint, down here in the US we have the SCCA and NASA (not the spaceshuttle NASA) and various car clubs like PCA and BMWCCA that all put on various HPDE events (high performance driver ed) and PDX (performance driving experience) that last a day or two at various tracks. Costs are $200-$500 depending on location, length, etc. Generally you get 4 sessions per day at around 20 minutes a session. Two day events get you a lot of track time.
An alternative that I'm fond of is Autocross.
Khalid 9:37AM (7/29/2008)
Join Bmw quebec. http://bmwquebec.ca/
Avant 6:34PM (7/28/2008)
I'd like to point out that Englishtown is closer to Manhattan than Monticello.
http://www.etownraceway.com/
Doesn't take much to use google maps to check the facts.
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FingerSled 7:08PM (7/28/2008)
Avant, you've got it right!
Englishtown is the way to do it. Make a motosport complex encompassing the dreams of parents who want thier children to win! Give your kids the choice and see where they excell! It might be Motocross, drag racing, go carts, or road racing, you'll see! Give them a chance.
Franz 6:34PM (7/28/2008)
Wow. That's one impressive looking track.
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JD 7:55PM (7/28/2008)
That's what I was thinking, some awesome swooping turns with elevation change throughout. Great looking stuff.
FingerSled 6:35PM (7/28/2008)
The course appears to be owned by someone who has alot of money so, why didnt they do the smart thing and build a straight section of 6000-20000 ft.? That way, it could be used as a safe drag strip or--- as a top speed test track for all the supercar owners who will be the only people ever able to drive on the place.
I guess having money doesn't always mean having brains.
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Toy Yoda 6:56PM (7/28/2008)
That's a nice idea for a straight away track. Perhaps you should be designing tracks? :)
Maybe they didn't want to have such a straight away, because drag strips are associated with "low class" racers and they are targeting elitist owners?
Shrug. If I wasn't so busy with work, I think I'd seriously consider membership here. The track looks pretty cool.
allonblack 7:03PM (7/28/2008)
"...to the club, have them stored their, or rent from a fleet of sportscars... "
Have them stored *there*. You guys are writers for a living right?
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FingerSled 7:23PM (7/28/2008)
Dasupersprint,
I dont know where you live in Quebec, but you might like to know about this place.
http://www.calabogiemotorsports.com/
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CORVETTE ZR1 9:31PM (7/28/2008)
Wow! !! This has me sold im going to join... i happen to be in NYC right... now so.. tomorow... it's time to play if you know what i mean...
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Itsuru 7:13PM (7/29/2008)
Try typing a comment without unnecessary ellipses.
eds g 11:08PM (7/28/2008)
oh that is sooo nice... lets rip out the trees to make way for fun run day!! weeee!!!!!!
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duo 1:51AM (7/29/2008)
ZR1,
So which of your toys are you going to take 'round the track? Maybe you can tow them with your H2.
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Corey B. 2:24AM (7/29/2008)
I grew up not far from Monticello (in Otisville, NY) and I am glad that Sullivan County got a world class track like this. The area was really hard hit when the tourism industry to the Catskill resorts dropped off the radar so the county needs more investments like this to pull off a revival.
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