Driver's Club Miami proposed

No inside scoop but me thinks that public funding for what amounts to a private
track facility sort of sounds like corporate welfare (no matter how many jobs they're
promising).

Second, this is basically in Homestead Miami International Speedway's back yard. And,
as we've seen in the past when some upstart comes along and tries to build a track near
their facilities (as with Lightning Ridge Motorsports Park between Daytona and Ocala),
the ISC boys circle their wagons and go after the small guys with everything they've
got raising all kinds of concerns like environmental, noise and other ordinances to
keep track developers endlessly in court.

So, a couple of things going against them from the get-go.

If they want a model for a private track facility, they should check out Monticello Motorsports
Park in Monticello, New York. Outstanding facilities, privately funded.

BHW

 

We spoke with the owners of Monticello Motor Park, Ari Strauss and Paul Queally (hope I
spelled those names right) at the Art in Motion event last October.

They told us that essentially, yes, the site of the venue was an abandoned airport and that
the land around it was owned by an Indian tribe which had no plans to do anything with
the property.

They approached the City of Monticello with the notion of the motor club and eventually
a casino and hotel complex on the property. So, yes, they got the land for an incredibly
reasonable rate but (at least to my knowledge) no public funding was used as that part
of Upstate New York isn't exactly brimming with industry and to be honest, there isn't
much happening around there.

The development brought a runway back to being operational and the track was built around
that. It is a phenomenal facility and last I heard, plans to move forward with the casino
and hotel are moving forward.

BHW

 

My kids go to summer camp near Monticello, NY, and it is an incredibly depressed area that is very sparsely populated. About 2 long hours to NYC. Not at all comparable to Miami-Dade. Track is covered with snow for 4-5 months also. I am sure the county was glad to have the business.

Anyone ever seen the big runways in the Everglades that they built for air cargo and then never used? That could be an interesting place to drive.

 

Yes, I think that Monticello was perfectly placed as you mention it is a economically
depressed area. When we went there for the Art in Motion event, out of town participants
stayed in hotels about 30 miles south, such was the lack of hotel accommodations in the
area and why they're planning to build a hotel on site there.

It's a beautiful part of the country though and with the leaves changing color, it was
a spectacular setting.

Yes, the airport runways constructed in the middle of the Everglades to be a replacement
for Miami International Airport back in the 60s has served as a venue for car related events,
mainly for street rods to do speed runs. They were doing that for a while out there but
haven't heard about it lately. Seems as though if something happened, they'd be an
awfully long way from help.

Just wait, Homestead Miami International Speedway (ISC) is going to make life miserable
for the participants wishing to put a new racing facility in Miami-Dade.

BHW

 

Orlando getting in on the act too...

Thanks to KevFla for the heads up on this one.

Plan for 200-acre racing attraction moves ahead near Disney World - Orlando Sentinel

BHW

 

Very interesting.

This was a topic of conversation just yesterday as we hadn't heard anything about this, we
weren't sure what the current status was.

In fact, the CEO of Monticello Motor Club was at our warehouse to pick up a couple
of his cars on Tuesday and the subject was mentioned again then. He'll be interested to
see this as well.

Organizers may be sure to hear from Homestead/ISC's attorneys in 4... 3... 2..

BHW

 

Second hurdle cleared, developer gets green light for Driver’s Club Miami project.

Carlos de Narváez would lease county-owned land for at least $33M.

Mr. de Narváez, please meet your new “friends” from Homestead Miami Speedway and the ISC!

https://therealdeal.com/miami/2018/03/06/developer-gets-green-light-for-100m-drivers-club-miami-project/

BHW

 

Anyone have the scoop on this?

https://theconcoursclub.com/

Is this the same project referenced in this thread or is it a different one? The founder names mentioned are different than what I read earlier here.

 

Saw this is as an advertisement in some literature Ferrari mailed to me this week.

https://theconcoursclub.com/

Any updates for 2023?


Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat

 

What would you like to know? It's been up and running for awhile now and appears to be doing well. First hand feedback I've heard is that the track layout is a little Mickey Mouse but people still enjoy it for what it is. In their defense it's hard to create an incredible layout in such a tight, urban location. Great facilities though.

Only real downside is getting to and from there as it is located in a crappy part of town and the traffic is insane. Still much easier than driving to Homestead or Sebring if you live in south Florida. If you enjoy track time there aren't many options here.

 

Just looking for pricing (initial buy, annual cost, and per track day cost).

 

$150k initial membership fee, plus $35k annual fee.