DO I NEED TRACK EXPERIENCE?
Absolutely not. About 50% of new members have never been on a racetrack prior to joining Monticello Motor Club. Our team of professional instructors will work with you one-on-one to help you progress at your pace and build confidence on the track. You’ll be driving solo in no time!
Once you’re checked off to solo, which for many members can take between 1-3 days of instruction, the next steps are up to you. Many members enjoy their solo credentials to turn faster and faster laps, to entertain business colleagues as passengers, or to shake down and enjoy their latest car purchase. Other members may strive for our Advanced Group by taking additional lessons or joining our private 2-day racing school, qualifying you for our MMC Member Race Series and your competition license for competition outside of MMC. Finally, some members reawaken a childhood dream to become a professional racer and see their names on TV. Since opening in July 2008, we’ve taken a dozen members with little or no track experience whatsoever through a training evolution from their first solo to competing in our private race series to driving alongside top names in the professional Grand-Am and American Le Mans Series.
DO I NEED A DEDICATED TRACK CAR?
Not at all. While quite a few of our members have dedicated cars for the track, many will drive up for the day in their street cars. They’ll check the tires pressures, don their helmets and off they go. Some members store extra tires and rims at the track. Our service center can install your track-purpose tires, you drive for the day, and then we’ll reinstall your street tires for the ride home. As long as your car can pass a safety tech inspection, practically any car can be driven on the track. There are some limitations with convertibles, so please check with our staff to get more detailed info.
Some members do have dedicated track cars and leave these stored at MMC. With advance notice to their private concierge, our service center will have your track car waiting in the pits for your arrival.
Last, many members prefer to rent a track car. MMC has a fleet of over 40 cars for rent, from 556HP Cadillac CTS-V’s to gain confidence and learn the basics to full racecars, ranging from Mazda Miatas to a Ferrari 430 Challenge Car. All of our rental racecars have full roll cages, 5-point belts, race seats, and fire systems. These cars can be rented by members for our private MMC race series, and many have 2 seats for private instruction.
HOW MANY DAYS/SEASON IS THE TRACK OPEN?
Our season typically runs from mid-April until mid-November. The majority of the days at MMC are reserved for members. Most racetracks are rental tracks and, while some have created “driver clubs”, these are really more akin to prepaid car club days with limited dates forcing you to adhere to their schedule. MMC is the only true private motorsports country club with practically unlimited driving time for its members so you can drive on your schedule. In 2010, MMC was open more than 220 days!
WILL I FIT IN?
Our members come from diverse backgrounds, experience, and financial means. Some have multi-bay garages full of Ferraris, while others thoroughly enjoy throwing a Miata into a turn. Some want to learn to drive their new exotic at speed, while others strive to shave a tenth off their personal best lap time. We even have a number of professional racecar drivers who are members including Jeff Gordon, Chris Dyson, Emil Assentato, Leh Keen, and Eric Lux. The one thing they all have in common? A shared passion for automobiles and driving.
WHAT ABOUT MY FAMILY?
Monticello Motor Club management and members like to share their auto passion with family members. That’s why immediate family members are always welcome to join you at the track (non-driving, guest limitions on Bronze Members). We even have go-kart rentals for the younger drivers in the family. Have an immediate family member who wants to join so they can enjoy driving benefits, too? MMC offers a 50% discount in both initiation fees and annual dues to additional family members at the Gold or Silver levels.
While Karting is hugely popular among our member’s children, we also have access to a private clubhouse, pool, and 11-mile swimming lake just 15 minutes from MMC.
CAN I UPGRADE MY MEMBERSHIP?
Yes, at the then-current initiation fee less that one-time fee that you paid. For example, a Bronze Member who paid $25,000 (before the last price increase) could now upgrade to a Silver Membership for $40,000.
HOW MANY MEMBERS HAVE JOINED?
Approximately 200 as of the summer of 2011.
WHY DO YOU KEEP RAISING THE PRICE OF MEMBERSHIP?
Because we plan to close out membership at 750, and then, those who wish to join the club will have to wait for a member to sell. We’ve raised the price of our membership four times since opening in July, 2008, and will continue to do so until membership is sold out.
CAN ANYONE JOIN?
Every prospective member must fill out a membership application. References are checked for all applicants, and not all are approved. Applicants who are referred and sponsored by an MMC member have a higher likelihood of being offered membership.
HOW DO MOST MEMBERS FIND MMC?
80% of our members are referred by existing members. The best way to assess whether MMC is right for you is to join us on a member day, sit next to some members over lunch, and ask them why they joined and if they’re delighted with their decision.
BASED ON YOUR PRICE INCREASES, YOU’VE OUTPERFORMED THE MARKET. CAN I BUY A MEMBERSHIP AS AN INVESTMENT OR FOR A NON-DRIVING FAMILY MEMBER AT HALF-PRICE TO RESELL ONE DAY?
A membership is not an investment instrument, and we prefer that memberships are purchased for enthusiasts who plan to use it. MMC is a highly social atmosphere where members come with families, friends, and business colleagues to entertain. It is a shared passion for motorsports that unites us.