Evan Rothman
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| Photo: acura.com | ||
Take, for example, private golf clubs. In just the last few years, in the metropolitan New York area alone, at least four six-figures-to-join oases have opened: Friars Head, Sebonack, Liberty National and Bayonne.
As wonderful as it must be to be a member of these places, from a novelty standpoint they might as well be yacht clubs, tennis clubs or, really, book clubs. The difference is of degree, not kind. Been there, hit that shot, had that single-malt Scotch, undertipped that bag boy. For the well-heeled with a lead foot, there's a fresh option on the horizon. In 2008, the Drive & Race Club will open in Monticello, N.Y., about 90 minutes northwest of Manhattan. (You can probably make it in 75 if you step on it, but please don't mention my name to the state trooper when he pulls you over.) It promises to be a fast-paced, car-based country club dedicated to member use, with a luxury clubhouse to boot. Its road course is over 3 miles long set on 225 acres of heaving terrain, with a three-quarter-mile straightaway and ample twists and turns. Three different types of driving will be available. "Tour" is high-speed driving in performance groups for about a dozen cars at a time. The focus is on driving skills and instruction, with speed restrictions and strictly limited passing. The most frequent driving at the club will be "hot-lap." It features more aggressive driving -- it's for moderately experienced drivers -- but without trading paint, also in performance groups and with limited passing. Laps will be timed so members can compare their performances vis-a-vis themselves and fellow drivers. "Race" is all-out driving, with a full complement of corner and safety workers and facilities. Racing may be done in member cars, rental racecars or with the club-owned fleet.
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