“Where horsepower meets conversation”
By Tim Harris · December 9, 2025
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If you’re a gearhead who dreams of “waking up in a villa, walking out to your car, and hitting the track,” these private clubs and track-residential communities make that dream a reality — for the right price.
Below are some of the top U.S. options, along with their known costs (initiation, dues, etc.) to help you evaluate what kind of investment you’re talking about.
🏎️ Monticello Motor Club (New York / East Coast)
4.9•Car racing venue
✅ What you get: Road-course access, club amenities, private track days, optional real-estate near the circuit.
💵 Cost (public):
Source: Monticello Motor Club
Individual membership: $92,500 initiation fee + $8,600 annual dues for “Silver” (limited days)
“Gold” membership: $125,000 initiation fee + $18,500 annual dues for unlimited driving days.
Family membership (up to 5 people): $175,000 initiation fee + $27,000 annual dues for unlimited access.
⚠️ Considerations: Very high up-front cost; driving days limited on lower tiers; track-side real estate optional and extra.
🔥 Apex Motor Club (Arizona — Private Road Course Club)
4.7•Car racing venue
✅What you get: Private road course, member-only track access, ability to purchase trackside condos/garages, club amenities.
💵 Cost (public):
Source: Apex Motor Club
“Gold” membership: $70,000 initiation fee, $8,000 annual dues.
“Platinum” membership: $90,000 initiation fee, $15,000 annual dues.
Club advertises “condo purchase optional” — real-estate cost depends on unit, so budget extra if you want a garage-condo.
⚠️ Considerations: Facility still under development/expansion — high-end real estate and full perks come at premium; total cost can exceed the listed initiation + dues if you opt for a condo.
🏡 Atlanta Motorsports Park (Georgia — Southeast Track + Real Estate Club)
4.7•Car racing venue
✅What you get: Road circuit + karting circuit + track-side condos or villas + lifestyle amenities (clubhouse, pool, events) — track-residential lifestyle.
💵Cost (public):
Source: Atlanta Motorsports Park
Main car & motorcycle membership: one-time $12,500 initiation fee + $299/month dues.
Karting-only membership: initiation from $3,500, with monthly dues and modest daily fees.
⚠️ Considerations: Real-estate (villas/condos) is optional but sold separately (often sold-out); track-days limited by membership type; monthly dues add up over time.
⭐ MotorSport Ranch (Texas — long-standing track club near Fort Worth)
4.9•Car racing venue
✅What you get: Multiple track layouts (1.3 mi, 1.7 mi, combined up to 3.1 mi), clubhouse, optional garages, and a flexible membership model.
💵 Cost (public):
Source: Motorsport Ranch
Regular membership: $4,700 initiation fee + $150/month dues, plus $25 per half-hour session.
Executive membership: $12,500 initiation fee + $100/month dues, $20 per half-hour session, with optional garage rental (~$320–$345/month).
⚠️ Considerations: Pay-as-you-go driving sessions; session fees add up with heavy use; garages optional but useful for regulars.
🏞️ VIR Club at Virginia International Raceway (Virginia — Historic Road-Course Club)
4.8•Car racing venue
✅What you get: Membership-based access to one of America’s most legendary road courses — multiple run groups for novices to experienced drivers, member driving days, on-track instruction, and track-side amenities.
💵Cost (public):
Source: Virginia International Raceway
Initiation fee: $4,500 (standard) or $500 for “Graduation” members (children under 26 of existing members).
Annual dues: either $3,800 (pre-paid) or $2,700 + $185 per driving day (if you prefer pay-per-use).
⚠️ Considerations: Driving day fees on top of dues if you choose “pay-as-you-go” option; limited number of driving days (e.g. max 18 per year); gear/helmet and safety requirements apply.
⚠️ What’s Hard to Pin Down — & What to Watch Out For
Real-estate costs (villas, condos, garages) are often not publicly listed: many clubs say “by inquiry,” “subject to availability,” or “varies based on build/design.” That means actual total cost can be much higher than just initiation + dues.
Blackout dates or limited track days — even “unlimited” memberships may come with scheduling restrictions, busy periods, or required reservations.
Ongoing variable costs — track-day fees, maintenance, garage rent, storage, insurance, travel, and time.
Community/resale value risk — if the club economy or demand changes, resale value of track-side real estate could fluctuate.
✅ Who Each Club Is Best For
Club | Best For... |
|---|---|
Monticello Motor Club | Wealthy enthusiasts wanting East-Coast grand-scale track lifestyle + optional real estate |
Apex Motor Club | High-end drivers wanting a full “country club + track + condo” package in the Southwest |
Atlanta Motorsports Park | Southeast buyers wanting track + karting + lifestyle + realistic initial cost |
MotorSport Ranch (TX) | Drivers who want flexible, pay-as-you-go club, multiple track layouts, and modest cost |
VIR Club | Road-course purists wanting historic track experience and flexible membership options |
🏁 Final Thoughts & Advice Before You Buy In
If you’re considering a private-track club membership (with or without real estate), here’s what to keep in mind:
Calculate total cost: initiation + dues + real estate (if applicable) + maintenance + travel + car upkeep + insurance.
Think usage vs. cost: high-end, unlimited-day membership makes sense if you truly drive often. If you’ll only hit the track a few times a year — maybe a pay-as-you-go or lower-cost club is smarter.
Lifestyle check: do you want clubs, events, community, convenience — or just occasional track days? Some clubs are designed for lifestyle; others for pure driving.
Long-term value: consider resale potential of real-estate, ongoing maintenance, and whether the club’s business model seems stable.
Flexibility & reality: things like scheduling, availability, travel, and wear-and-tear on your car can add hidden costs that turn a “fun toy” into a serious commitment.
— Tim Harris
🎙️ Full Throttle Talk Podcast Plug: Tune in wherever you get your podcasts.
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🏁 Hagerty’s 2025 Bull Market Report Card
(Who Got an A+ and Who Completely Phoned It In)
By Paul Kramer · December 9, 2025
Hagerty just graded themselves on their 2025 Bull Market picks, and honestly?
Some cars absolutely crushed it… and some showed up like they forgot there was a test.
Let’s take attendance.
🏆 THE TOP PERFORMERS (AKA: Cars That Actually Made You Look Smart)
1. 1961–72 Volvo P1800 / 1800S / 1800E — 📈 18% Growth
Yes, the saintly Volvo from the “we don’t die, we just age gracefully” era is the year’s top climber.
Turns out safety, style, and Swedish stubbornness equal profit.
Congrats if you bought one—you’re now officially a financial genius.
2. 1984–90 Ford Bronco II — 📈 18% Growth
Everyone laughed at the Bronco II for years.
Now?
It’s laughing back while counting appreciation percentage points.
The boxiest, tippiest little SUV just tied with the Volvo for first place. Not bad for the Bronco II to be number 1. America, you’re wild.
3. 1961–64 Jaguar E-Type SI 3.8 Coupe — 📈 14% Growth
Still one of the prettiest cars ever made, so honestly 14% feels low.
But hey, “world’s most beautiful car” + “now worth even more” is solid math.
4. 2002–06 Mini Cooper S — 📈 12% Growth
The angry little hot-hatch that drives like it’s triple-espresso-powered.
They’re cheap, fun, and apparently appreciating like everyone suddenly remembered they existed.
Small car, big ego energy.
😬 THE BOTTOM OF THE CLASS (AKA: Cars That Provided Absolutely Zero Growth)
1976–89 Ferrari 400 / 412 — ➖ 0%
Still classy. Still V12. Still flatlined.
Apparently the market also forgot these exist.
2005–08 Dodge Magnum SRT-8 — ➖ 0%
Yes, it’s a Hemi wagon.
No, the market still doesn’t care.
At least it’ll do a burnout on command.
2002–08 Mercedes-Benz G500 — ➖ 0%
This one hurts.
The G is basically a rolling flex… just not a profitable one this year.
Think of it as “luxuriously stagnant.”
🎯 THE TAKEAWAY
If you’re holding a Volvo 1800 or a Bronco II, congratulations — Hagerty nailed it and you get bragging rights.
If you’re holding a Ferrari 400, Magnum SRT-8, or G500… well… at least you’re comfortable while your money goes nowhere.
As always:
Buy what makes you smile. If it happens to go up in value, that’s just dessert.
— Paul Kramer
Paul Kramer is the voice behind AutoKennel, decoding car culture one European sports car at a time. For his takes on all things fast, rare, or slightly unhinged, visit AutoKennel.com or follow @autokennel.
You can reach Paul via voice, text, or WhatsApp at 714-335-4911.
Click here to see what’s rolling in very soon.
🏁 The Full Throttle Talk Team
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