J.A. Ackley
J.A. Ackley Senior Editor
12/22/23 11:31 a.m.
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It’s here. Well, almost. Flatrock Motorsports Park, now wearing its first layer of asphalt, welcomed VIPs and member members for rides on Tuesday.

How big of a deal is that? It was enough to bring out a Daytona 500 winner. Trevor Bayne was among seasoned drivers giving ride-alongs.

“Motorsports is really important to me,” Bayne said. “Having more venues …

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dbgrubbs
dbgrubbs Reader
12/22/23 1:47 p.m.

No mention in the article where Flatrock is, had to look it up to see that it's near Knoxville.

bjaspud
bjaspud New Reader
12/22/23 2:37 p.m.

In reply to dbgrubbs :

Same

DavyZ
DavyZ New Reader
12/22/23 3:38 p.m.

The overall layout of the track looks really good and I love that it is as long as it is--about 3.5 miles long.  The longer the better IMO.  The photos show mile elevation changes and beautifully laid out sweeping curves.  PLUS, the curves appear slightly banked, an added bonus too.  Kudos to them building a track...so how much to join the club, eh?

accordionfolder
accordionfolder UltraDork
12/22/23 4:07 p.m.

In reply to DavyZ :

I had a friend talk to them, we do the driving club with NCM. One of the questions on the application was if you had private airplane access or not. The initiation fees and the rest were 6figures from the tiers I saw.

Puddy46
Puddy46 Reader
12/22/23 4:17 p.m.

In reply to accordionfolder :

So to the lay-person, this track doesn't exist.  Shame.  

accordionfolder
accordionfolder UltraDork
12/22/23 4:21 p.m.

In reply to Puddy46 :

I **hope they'll work with regional organizations for events - they claimed they would. But you'll see on their website they also claim 200 club days a year for members, which is kinda insane. I assume it might be like COTA, where you can do DE but it's expensive? Who knows.

Puddy46
Puddy46 Reader
12/22/23 4:28 p.m.

In reply to accordionfolder :

I hope you're right about letting DE organizations hold some events there.  Seems like it would be a real fun track.  

cpatersontn
cpatersontn New Reader
12/22/23 4:53 p.m.

They are saying that they're working with track days guys like Chin and racing organizations like NASA about doing events there.

J.A. Ackley
J.A. Ackley Senior Editor
12/23/23 5:27 a.m.

In reply to dbgrubbs :

You're right. Its location has been inserted into the piece. Thank you  

To save some time here: It's less than an hour west of Knoxville, Tennessee, right off I-40. Another point of reference is that it's right after the time zone change into Central along the interstate. 

J.A. Ackley
J.A. Ackley Senior Editor
12/23/23 5:33 a.m.

For more information on the Motorclub, check this out at our sister publication: https://classicmotorsports.com/news/progress-flatrock-motorclubs-track-takes-shape/

While the focus now is on the club track, the people behind the facility remain adamant that they want the place to be for everyone. The old cliche is Rome wasn't built in a day, nor is an 800-acre facility. 

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Publisher
12/23/23 9:01 a.m.

$250k for a membership ?!

*screams*

maschinenbau
maschinenbau GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
12/23/23 9:08 a.m.

Sounds similar to how other new tracks like Atlanta Motorsports Park are run. Yes, to be a member it's hella expensive. Then there are the trackside garages and condos: $$$. But the track also makes money the normal way: club events, competitions, and DE's. I could never afford to be an AMP member but I've driven it dozens of times. I presume this track will be similar.

"200 club days for members" just means that almost any day that isn't a weekend is a available to members. I bet most weekends will be reserved for a normal schedule of track events.

accordionfolder
accordionfolder UltraDork
12/23/23 9:11 a.m.

In reply to maschinenbau :

AMP's memberships are much more affordable, relatively speaking

ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter)
ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter) Dork
12/24/23 8:22 a.m.

^ AMP has different membership levels at different prices, but even the top levels are only 20-25% of what Flatrock costs if that information is correct.  Even with those prices, I would speculate that they will have to sell many weekends to track day operators and racing orgs to cover their expenses. 

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