A new motorsports club north of Miami aims to provide car enthusiasts with a high-performance driving experience on purpose-built racetracks designed to replicate some of the world’s most iconic circuits. The P1 Motor Club, under development in St. Lucie County on 663 acres of former orange groves, is being created by Ari Straus and partners with a $270 million investment, offering members access to professional coaching and a family-oriented motorsports community.
The facility plans to feature two main circuits: an initial three-mile Treasure Coast track and a larger 4.5-mile P1 Circuit, both designed by firms involved in the creation of modern Formula One venues. The tracks are intended to simulate challenging driving conditions with a mix of elevation changes and corners inspired by famous turns such as the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca and the uphill curves at Virginia International Raceway. Safety is a key consideration, with extended grassy runoff areas allowing drivers to push limits with minimized risk of collision.
The club is part of a growing trend in motorsports country clubs, catering to affluent drivers eager to experience the thrill of performance driving beyond conventional golf or tennis clubs. This surge of interest has been fueled by increased visibility of Formula One through popular media and a post-pandemic desire among wealthy individuals for unique, bucket-list experiences. Aurora Straus, a professional driver and daughter of Ari Straus, notes the expanding appeal of motorsports for all ages, including teens.
Members of P1 pay a substantial initial fee—currently $192,000—with annual dues of $12,000 per driving family member. The club limits membership to 850 families to maintain exclusivity. Aside from driving amenities, P1 is developing luxury residences, a clubhouse, specialty dining including a floating pirate barge restaurant, as well as additional recreational facilities like drifting and karting tracks and courts for pickleball and padel. The club also plans a Commerce Park to attract race teams and suppliers, with Mercedes-Benz already signed on to host its AMG Experience program.
P1’s development draws inspiration from earlier motorsports country clubs, such as the Autobahn Club in Illinois, which pioneered the concept by offering country-club style access to racetracks combined with social and familial benefits. Other comparable facilities include the Concours Club in Miami, the Thermal Club in California, Spring Mountain near Las Vegas, and Atlanta Motorsports Park.
Besides catering to seasoned drivers and collectors of rare and powerful cars, these clubs have become venues for driver education and youth programs. Aurora Straus and her family are planning teen driver camps, aimed at safely introducing younger drivers to high-performance driving and improving their focus and discipline. They emphasize the therapeutic, concentrated nature of track driving, which can redirect the attention of technology-focused teenagers.
The P1 Motor Club reflects a broader global expansion of motorsports country clubs, with new tracks under development in Europe, Australia, and Japan. Proponents see these clubs as not only hubs for recreation and competition but also as breeding grounds for future professional racers. As the demand for such exclusive driving experiences grows, the model combining luxury lifestyle amenities with high-speed access continues to attract investment and interest internationally.