If you have ever craved the thrill of boosting a million-dollar supercar to over 300 kilometers per hour on an empty runway, it’s more than likely that you have heard of private racing clubs. Sure, you could invest a few million into a Bugatti Chiron, ship it out to Germany, and take it for a spin on the Autobahn, but this can be costly and time-consuming – there are less expensive, no-hassle alternatives available.
Besides, why worry about the depreciation, storage, transportation, and care of a supercar if you can pay membership fees and have an armada of exotic wheels at your disposal – without the stress of managing one?
Automakers such as BMW, Ferrari, and Aston Martin offer exclusive supercar experiences (on their private tracks) with instructor assistance and souped-up vehicles for a fraction of the cost. However, if you already happen to own a supercar or vintage classic, you may have your work cut out for you.
Certain brands like McLaren and Porsche have exclusive clubs that offer premium benefits and private excursions with other members.
Select racing clubs offer elite concierge services including accommodation, dinner reservations, luxurious transfer services, and day trips – that is if you can convince the club that you’re worthy of membership. In this article, we offer Chic Icon’s list of the most exclusive racing clubs in the world.
Auto Vivendi – UK
Based in London and founded in 2005, Auto Vivendi (previously known as écurie25 Supercar Club and rebranded in 2014) is currently the world’s largest and longest continuously established Supercar Club. Offering a range of models from the supercharged Lamborghini Huracán Performante Spyder to the opulent Rolls-Royce Wraith, members will have no problem finding a fitting vehicle for their tastes. The club also constantly refreshes its collection and acquires around 15-20 new cars every year.
This prestigious club organizes events and parties at their clubhouse, private race circuits worldwide, caravans down coastal California, and Superjeep arctic adventures through the rough terrain of Iceland. Not only does membership provide tangible rewards, but social and lifestyle benefits such as networking opportunities and relationships with dealers are also assumed. Ride hassle-free with coverage of insurance, repair/maintenance, and fuel, allowing members peace of mind when whipping a Ferrari F8 Spyder around the racetrack.
Memberships for Auto Vivendi range from “Silver” to “Black” with scaling levels of annual days of car use and annual mileage allowance – which carry forward to the next period – and the option to add additional drivers to the membership (at a cost of £5,000 per driver per year). Most suitable for citizens of the UK – or those that travel to the area often – the club also offers an “Out of Town” membership covering the shipment and return of vehicles to anywhere within 250 miles of the member’s home club – London or Manchester.
Dragon Racing 88 – UAE
Dubai-based Dragon Racing International is seen as the go-to spot for all things motorsport and high-end auto racing in the Gulf region. With the inclusion of the Emirates Motor Racing Academy (EMRA) to develop the next generation of race competitors, Dragon Racing 88 provides anything from novice-level, retail driving experiences to bespoke, ultra-premium corporate driving events. Professional coaches stand at the ready to deliver hand-picked programs for clients ranging from two to 80 drivers per day.
With a fleet of contemporary race and track vehicles including models such as the McLaren 12C Spring GT-S and Ferrari 488 GT3, Dragon Racing’s services can be used as a team-building retreat for colleagues or the ideal high-profile client experience to build rapport.
To lighten the load for organizers, the club’s Concierge Service will arrange accommodation, transportation, and reservations at exclusive restaurants and major events. Discreet security services are available if necessary and Dragon Racing multi-lingual specialists will be on hand to assist in every aspect of the experience. The club prides itself on its reputation and a remarkable level of safety – not to mention its world-class facilities – so it makes sense that Dragon Racing is the UAE’s leading Ferrari & AMG approved customer GT race team.
The Thermal Club – USA
One of the most intriguing options on this list, the members-only Thermal Club is more than just a car collector’s clubhouse. Dubbed the “Motorsports Village,” this sumptuous Californian retreat lies less than an hour southeast of Palm Springs and comprises over 400 acres and 5 miles of the secluded runway – because who knew that the desert is the perfect place to race cars?
Established in 2012, this private motorsport club boasts three separate racetracks, a skid pad and kart track, a tuning shop, a full-service wash and detail shop, a temperature-controlled 20-car garage, four-story clubhouse, and premier spa facilities. Private instructors and personal concierges remain at your service while your car is serviced by weathered technicians in the club’s Engineering Center. A state-of-the-art fitness center and poolside champagne after your Pilates class will make you wonder if you have left your private racing club and stumbled upon a five-star desert resort.
The Thermal Club is perfect for North America-based auto aficionados that are looking for an exclusive destination to bring the family. In addition to various amenities, the club offers a range of lavish villa- homes that overlook the facility. With stunning views of the desert landscape and nearby mountain ranges, world-class architects have designed Thermal’s custom 3, 4, and 5-bedroom villas to ensure the ultimate luxury accommodation. Forewarning – club membership requires the purchase of real estate!
Supercar Owners Circle – Switzerland
Attracting like-minded petrolheads around the world, the Supercar Owners Circle heralds a massive collection of both vintage and modern supercars and certainly loves to show it off. Founded less than a decade ago by two Swiss brothers with the intention to create a network of diverse collectors with exclusive benefits, this prestigious group holds an annual convoy throughout the Swiss Alps of Andermatt. Private roads lead to 5-star hotels, Michelin-star restaurants, and before-the-release presentations for members. Machinery such as the iconic Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing and Ferrari F40 can be found frequenting these events, as well as hypercars like the Pagani Zonda and Koenigsegg Regera.
Partnerships with distinguished brands allow the group to offer personalized track days, preferential treatment from hypercar manufacturers, Grand Prix invites discounts and upgrades from luxury hotels around the world, and more. As a nice personal touch, the SOC gifts each member a bespoke coffee table book of their personal car collection. The “Personal Liaison Manager” resource provides seamless omnichannel privileges to keep members up to date, care for their vehicles, and enhance the supercar experience.
Of course, these premier services are not available to all supercar owners. Applicants must maintain a collection valued over 5 million pounds – although the group’s average is much, much higher than that – and even then, admission is not guaranteed. The process is overseen by the founders and annual acceptance is limited to 150 members globally. This culmination of elite exclusivity and classical elegance offer one of the most sought-after racing club experiences in the world, and if you’ve got the collection to back it – it’s worth applying!
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The most acclaimed racing clubs effectively act as all-inclusive experiences, providing guests with the finest accommodations and services, unlimited resources at their fingertips, exclusive events and presentations from manufacturers, and the crème de la crème vehicle selection of the automotive world. Choosing the right club can be challenging; one must consider location, benefits, and fees, but one thing is for sure: the experience will be invaluable!
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