Sep 8, 2008

Need More Track Time?

Are you eager to put your pedal to the metal in some of the most exotic automobiles available on the planet? Do you consider yourself worthy of a country club-like experience all in the name of motorsport? Do you have a big-league bank account? OK, we come up short on question No. 3, but those more financially gifted than we are seem quite willing to pony up a $175,000 entry fee and endure $7,500 a year in minimum payments to be a part of the Monticello Motor Club in the Catskills, north of Manhattan.

The track is 4.1 miles long and includes 22 unique turns and 12 distinct configurations. The design of the road course is the first combined effort of Brian Redman, a Formula One 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. With over 1.5 miles of straights, the course has some of the fastest track segments available to drivers anywhere short of the Bonneville Salt Flats. Perhaps even more important, the venue strives to be one of the safest racetracks in the world, with generous runoff areas and the latest in safety systems. Drivers are grouped by vehicle type and skill level to help ensure everyone is comfortable with track conditions at all times.

The club's charter members reportedly include Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Glickenhaus and Jeff Gordon. Perhaps Gordon doesn’t get enough track time during the NASCAR season…or maybe it’s another Jeff Gordon.