Motor Club Magazine - Volume 4 by Monticello Motor Club

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C A L E N D A R 2 0 1 6

O F

E V E N T S

S E A S O N

Apr. 15 (Pre-Season) | Apr. 30 (Season Opener)

Performance Flight Challenge Member Race Series May 14 June 18 July 30

Aug. 27 Sept. 17 Awards & Banquet: Sept. 17

Porsche Club of America National Race July 7 (Test & Tune)

July 8-10

Family Karting Race Queally Miata Classic May 6 May 22 June 10 July 15 (Pro-Am)

Aug. 5 Sept. 2 Oct. 14 Oct. 23

Apr. 30 May 14 June 4 (Member-Guest) June 18 (Fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Challenge)

July 30 Aug. 27 Sept. 17 Oct. 8 (Member-Guest)

3-Day Race School* Mazda Challenge June 26 July 17

Aug. 14 Sept. 25

Invitational Endurance Race June 4

Apr. 19 May 3 May 10 May 31 June 7

July 5 July 12 Aug. 9 Aug. 30 Oct. 4

*Seats unfilled by members may be offered to non-members

Oct. 8 Winter Driving School

Halloween Fun Race

Dec. 12, 2015 Jan. 15

Feb. 19 Feb. 20

Oct. 29

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Publishers Monticello Motor Club Media Solstice, LLC Executive Directors Jessica Gardner Holly Covart Suzanne Forni Writers, Designers Jessica Gardner Holly Covart Ari Straus Jason Upchurch Editors, Contributors Jillian Alexander John Flinn Mary Jo Gardner Luis Guadalupe Jenna Hiatt Dustin Lewis Debra Marciano Nat Mundy Ashley Novack Matthew Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Sullivan Suzanne Schubert Johanna Seidel Alex Wolenski Photographers Michael Bloom Brian Casse Roger Garbow Trevor Neil Michael Roberto Chris Szczypala Printing Allied Printing Services, Inc. Published By Media Solstice, LLC 845.202.9199 www.mediasolstice.com Welcome to Motor Club Magazine, the bi-annual publication created for members of Monticello Motor Club. Our team of designers, writers, photographers, and editors deliver content tailored to an audience of motorsports enthusiasts. The entire content of Motor Club Magazine is the intellectual property of Monticello Motor Club and/or the respective advertising entities, and is protected by copyright laws. The contents may not be reproduced, republished, distributed, transmitted, displayed, or otherwise exploited in any manner without the express prior written permission of the copyright owner. Any and all advertisements are the responsibility of the individual advertising entities. No advertisement contained in Motor Club Magazine constitutes a legal offer made by Monticello Motor Club, including content errors, omissions, or infringing content.

67 Cantrell Road, Monticello, NY 12701 855.MMC.CLUB (855.662.2582) info@monticellomotorclub.com www.monticellomotorclub.com

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DRIVER’S SEAT Life in motion.

hat’s Monticello Motor Club and its members. We don’t sit idle here. We push. We expand. We grow.

This past season alone, we expanded our fleet, improved our road course, and enhanced our karting facility. We welcomed new members, new manufacturers, and new partners. One of our most notable advancements was the FIA-spec curbing we installed on both our 4.1-mile track and our 0.6-mile karting track. Besides adding an air of class and polish to both tracks, the curbing exposed more comfortable driving lines to our racers. This has allowed our members to lay off the brakes, better their lap times, and enjoy an improved sense of safety. Our karting track also benefited from the installation of a state-of-the-art race lighting system (the same system used on pro circuits around the globe), new signage and landscaping, and a new air-conditioned clubhouse with rooftop spectator seating. It wasn’t just the property itself that was enhanced. The overall member experience was broadened as well. Members enjoyed an expanded rental fleet of high-performance vehicles, thanks in large part to our official vehicle partner, Jaguar Land Rover North America. We were pleased to welcome several Jaguar F-TYPE sports car models, including the F-TYPE S manual and the F-TYPE R AWD, to our on-site inventory, and members have had a blast pushing each one to its limit.

We also played host to some of the most exclusive automotive lines in the world. McLaren. Ariel Atom. Cadillac. Ferrari. Lamborghini. Aston Martin. BMW. Radical. They all chose MMC as the ideal landscape for sharing their luxury and high-performance vehicles with the most discerning of auto enthusiasts, including many of our members. Off site, our members were invited to exclusive product launches, like Vacheron Constantin’s Harmony release, and private driving events, like the one recently hosted by Bespoke Motor Group. MMC’s VIP hospitality tent traveled to Florida in January to bring our 4-star concierge services directly to MMC members participating in PCA’s 48 Hours at Sebring. MMC doesn’t believe in standing still. We’re working on plans to add a new 40-bay garage and a professional starter stand on the South Straight. We’re also exploring additional track improvements and creative ways to expand our member programs and offerings. MMC is about pushing boundaries and deepening bonds. It’s about exploring high-speed experiences and building on to a lifetime of memories. The 2015 season was a great one. The 2016 season will be even better.

Shiny-side up,

Alex Wolenski Vice President of Operations Monticello Motor Club

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CONTENT V O L U M E

Nigel & Max: My Son. My Friend. My Motivation.

Miata Pro-Am Sets MMC Abuzz

Doug, Evan & Andrew: Making Memories In Motion

Fast Times at MMC

Scott & Dylan: I’m Your Biggest Fan.

Automotive Leaders Cruise MMC’s Red Carpet

Monticello Motor Club Team Challenge: Mixing Business & Pleasure

MMC Pro Shop: COOLSHIRT Systems

Jessica & Justin: Bonding Over Bragging Rights

Classic Muscle Comes Home

Ben Haymann: Pro Instructor In Control

Snow Drift Playtime

MMC Hosts Couple’s Ultimate Victory Lap

Joe: The Gentleman Driver

Fun & Fund Around North America: One MMC Member’s Adventure for a Cause

Lewis: Personal Growth; Professional Growth

Take to the Skies With Performance Flight

A Little Taste

A Uniquely Radical Experience

Social Circuit

Enjoy a Taste of Monticello Motor Club

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“It’s been fascinating to watch (my son) go from someone who only three years ago was on MMC’s track learning how to drive to now racing cars at speed with me.” -

Nigel & Max:

My Son. My Friend. My Motivation.

MC members Nigel F. and his 17-year-old son, Max, have shared a passion for motorsports since Max was 12 years old.

“It’s an interesting dynamic, for sure,” Nigel said. “But we really enjoy it.”

The duo has traveled around the world to watch Formula One events together, earned their SCCA racing licenses together on Max’s 15th birthday, and regularly spend their summer days exploring their hobby together on the track at MMC.

On one hand, he has the ever-present desire to see his son excel on the track. On the other hand, he’s not about to let Max get by him during a race.

“It’s been fascinating to watch Max go from someone who only three years ago was on MMC’s track learning how to drive to now racing cars at speed with me,” Nigel said. The two are regular competitors in member racing events at MMC, including both MMC’s Performance Flight Challenge racing series and MMC’s Queally Miata Race Challenge series.

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Still, this whole racing thing is putting Nigel in a tough spot as a parent.

“I’m going to have to come to terms with the fact that Max is probably a little quicker than me now,” Nigel said, with amused resignation. Most recently, Max and Nigel put their rivalry to the side to compete as a team during MMC’s first ever Queally Miata Pro-Am, with Max acting as the pro. “He held mid-pack most of the way, which was good considering his age and experience,” Nigel said. And as usual, their fellow racers were incredibly welcoming and supportive throughout the day.

“I’ve been a member of all sorts of sports clubs throughout my life, and the people at MMC (even taking Max out of the equation) are some of the friendliest, most open people I’ve come across,” Nigel said. “But particularly as it pertains to Max, they just couldn’t be better.” Fellow competitors search Max out after each race to talk about what went well, and what maybe didn’t go so well for Max. “It could so easily be the other way; they could be stand-offish,” Nigel said. “As a 17-year-old in that environment, it could be very difficult. But it’s the exact opposite. They all treat him the same as they do one another.”

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MEMBER

PRO

onticello Motor Club’s fun-filled Queally Miata Race Challenge series just shook up the competition!

All it took was a bit of professional help. Welcome to MMC’s first ever Queally Miata Pro-Am, which paired MMC members with professional racecar drivers for three rounds of light-hearted, but fast-paced, on-track action. “This was easily our highest energy race ever,” said MMC Track Manager Chris Duplessis. “Members were pumped, the pros were pumped; they were all just psyched to drive together.”

Mike W.

Ben Haymann, MMC Pro Instructor

In all three rounds, the amateur drivers led off the race, with the pro drivers taking over during a mandatory mid-race driver change. The better the position of the amateur when pitting in for the hand-off, the higher the probability that his or her pro would bring home a strong finish. “When you finished as a member, you got to see the pros get out there and jockey for position from where you left off,” said MMC member Chris O., a Queally series regular who was paired with MMC Lead Pro Instructor Jason Rabe. “We were there cheering on our pros to either hold the lead or take the lead.”

Chris O.

Jason Rabe, MMC Lead Pro Instructor

“The amateur portion really mattered, and that just added even more thrill to the whole thing,” added MMC member Mike W., who was paired with MMC Pro Instructor Ben Haymann. The atmosphere at the Club was electric throughout the day, and the competition was fierce. Despite some great driving by folks like Chris, Jason, Mike, and Ben, it was the series namesake, MMC Co-Founder and Partner Paul Queally, and his pro partner, IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge ST Champion Stevan McAleer, who took first in every race. The pair put on quite a display, including a run by Stevan in the final race that stunned everyone.

Lewis B.

Wally Thomas

Adam L.

Chris Peterson

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Stevan and Paul had already won the first two races. The third race started in a “reverse grid,” so Stevan started in the very back of the pack.

Still, he managed to speed past every other pro competitor on the track before the checkered flag was waved.

MEMBER

PRO

“Mathematically, based on winning the previous two races, they were going to win the overall anyway,” said Chris Duplessis. “But Stevan ran the entire field – and there were some quick drivers out there – from back to front for the outright win. People were jumping up and down and yelling; it was really thrilling to watch.” This new twist on the already-popular Queally Miata Race Challenge series went a long way in cementing partnerships between students and teachers, and allowed a new level of instruction from which members could benefit. “It was great opportunity for people to learn how to improve their racecraft,” said MMC member Nigel F. “You couldn’t get a better hands-on teaching environment.”

Alex R.

Kyle Tilley

David F.

Jason Lare

Paul Queally, Co-Founder/Partner

Stevan McAleer, MMC Pro Instructor

Aaron P.

Ari Straus, President/Managing Partner

Members, some of whom even rode shotgun on the pro portions of the races, picked up valuable racecraft tips and techniques from their counterparts. Members got to talk strategy and be part of the theoretical and mental aspects of racing in ways that they typically would not. It all came together to create a unique and experiential coaching environment. “What a great learning experience,” said Chris O. “To race alongside the pros, to get to compare lines; it was easily as helpful as it was fun.” With the undeniable sense of camaraderie and rivalry flooding the pit lane, the Miata Pro-Am is sure to become a staple in the MMC member calendar. “This race, without a doubt, strengthened the bond that already exists at MMC between members and pros,” said Chris O. “Every Miata race is fun, but this one was extra special.”

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MEMBER

PRO

James Y.

John Angelone

Nigel F.

Max F.

Ed H.

Trevor Dawe

Nick G.

Christopher Rallo

Warren M.

Timothy Paul

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“I want to eventually join the member race series and beat my dad.” - A

H.,

Doug, Evan & Andrew:

Making Memories In Motion

oug H. and his sons, 16-year-old Evan and 14-year-old Andrew, have been fixtures at MMC since 2009. They all arrived with no track experience, but over the years, each has found his own path onto the asphalt. “The fact that we’ve been able to find something that we all love doing has helped us enjoy each other’s company more, and has strengthened our bond,” Andrew said. For Doug, MMC has been about understanding his potential as a racer. “Before MMC, I was just a guy who enjoyed exotic cars,” said Doug. “I only got into racing Miatas as a result of joining the Club. At the time, I didn’t know you could get a racing license. I figured it was some kind of big production.” Doug is now a regular participant in the Queally Miata Race Challenge

series, with Andrew as his one-teen pit crew. Doug has recently parlayed his experience at MMC into outside SCCA racing. Doug’s older son, Evan, has spent some time zipping around on track in Miatas, but he hasn’t moved up to racing yet. Instead, he has dedicated much of his time preparing for the road test to get his driver’s license. “I felt that learning how to drive on the track, and especially learning how to drive a manual, would help him in terms of driving on the street,” said Doug. “The MMC instructor was phenomenal,” said Evan. “He helped me pick it up quickly, and got me ready to drive on the road so that I could pass my test.” Andrew still has a few years to go before he can get a driver’s license. Still, that hasn’t kept him out of the driver’s seat. He’s spent the last

several years karting at MMC, first on the helipad, and now on the new 0.6-mile asphalt course. “(Andrew) was competitive right off the bat,” said Doug. “We have spent a lot of time karting together.” Andrew is nearly giddy over the idea of getting onto the main track with his father and older brother. And at 14, he now has the green light to get behind the wheel. “I don’t know how to drive stick yet, but I want to eventually join the member race series and beat my dad,” Andrew said with a smile. “I enjoy having my boys at the track with me; it’s a really nice experience to share with them,” said Douglas. “We have a lot more fun up at the track than we do playing golf.”

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AT MMC

ome kids just aren’t meant to sit on the sidelines. At Monticello Motor Club, they don’t have to.

Just ask Allison and Jack R. (12 and 9), or Lauren and Kristen O. (12 and 8).

Their fathers, Justin R. and Chris O., are close friends and MMC members who enjoy competing in MMC’s member race series. The kids have often come along to cheer on their dads, and to watch all of the cars on the track at once. It’s a thrill to see each maneuvering for that inch of room that may lead the driver to victory when the checkered flag falls. “We just thought it was really cool that our dads raced cars,” Allison said. The only thing cooler might be to strap in for some pint-sized high-speed action of your own. Enter MMC’s karting track, with its 0.6-mile asphalt ribbon, nine turns, and 30 feet of elevation changes. At first, it was little more than curiosity that drove the two pairs of siblings to get into MMC’s Sodi karts after the karting track opened on Father’s Day of 2014. But it wasn’t long before they were all hooked. Now, like their dads, they have the need for speed.

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“Since the karting track opened, we’ve been visiting MMC more frequently,” said Chris. “It makes a trip to MMC a family day. Now, when I go up, the girls want to know, ‘Well, why aren’t we going?’” The kids spend hours and hours at the karting track each time they visit, often working closely with MMC Karting Competition and Experience Manager Kieran Roberts. Kieran provides both on- and off-track instruction so that each racer learns proper techniques to improve his or her racecraft. “I must admit that I was nervous about the kids karting at first,” said Margaret R., Allison and Jack’s mother. “But once I saw for myself that they were taught proper technique in a safe, controlled environment, I was much more comfortable. This is really a great thing for them.” Kristen and Jack both enjoy the parts of instruction that focus on the karting track’s straightaways. That’s where they get to pass people. “And that’s the most fun,” Kristen said. Jack passes his mom on the karting track all the time, but he hasn’t managed to get by his older sister, Allison, yet. He’s working on it, though.

Lauren is looking a little farther down the road, and advancing her skills with a specific goal in mind: to drive on the main track in a real racecar. That day may not be far off. Because MMC is a privately owned, members-only facility, it does not have the age restrictions that most race tracks must typically enforce. The minimum age to drive on track nearly everywhere in the world is 18. At MMC, Lauren can get behind the wheel of a car at just 13 years old. “I’m going to start driving cars next summer,” Lauren declared. Under Kieran’s guidance, Lauren is making strides in preparing for the big event. She has recently started training in a high-performance 2-stroke Birel racing kart, which is more responsive, runs at higher speeds, and has greater capacity for cornering and acceleration than other karts. “It’s a great environment for the kids to learn valuable driving skills,” said Chris, Lauren’s father.

“It’s true. I took a driving class at MMC, and I realized just how much I didn’t know about driving,” Margaret said. “These kids will be much better prepared when they get behind the wheel.” Karting at MMC isn’t just for the youngsters. Several MMC adult racers have trained in Birel karts as a means of improving their on-track times and techniques. Other members have teamed up with their kids to compete in family karting challenges and karting enduros, both introduced during the 2015 driving season. “Lauren, Allison, Justin, and I competed as a team in a family karting challenge, and it was a great time,” Chris said. “We’re planning on doing it more often next season.” MMC’s full-service karting facility has it all, even an air-conditioned clubhouse with rooftop, open-air seating to catch all of the on-track action. Other 2015 enhancements include the addition of a stateof-the-art race lighting system (the same system used on pro circuits around the globe), and FIA-spec curbing around

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the entire karting course. These race-grade appointments allow MMC to run two separate circuits to accommodate multiple driving groups simultaneously. “The new curbing and paint give you the feel of being on a ‘real’ track,” said Chris. “I think that’s helpful in getting the kids ready to drive on the main track.” MMC’s karting experts are also finalizing plans for various karting clinics, which will teach kids and teens about kart mechanics and maintenance, the technical side of racing, and the etiquette and dynamics of racing. “It’s amazing to see how positively the members have reacted to the track, and I enjoy getting young racers to become enthusiastic about what their parents do here, too,” Kieran said. “The karting track has been a great addition to MMC; it’s also been a great addition to our lives,” Chris said. “It’s drawn us all closer together, both as families and as friends.” And for drivers like Chris and Justin, nothing beats being able to share their own interest in motorsports – and their days at MMC – with the people they care about most.

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KARTING CLINICS ARE ON THE WAY Monticello Motor Club’s karting program will continue to expand next season with additional training clinics for drivers of all skill levels. SODI MMC Karting Competition and Experience Manager Kieran Roberts is finalizing plans for Sodi camps, designed to introduce newer drivers to the world of karting through the use of an easily controlled vehicle in a closely controlled setting. Utilizing classroom and on-track sessions, as well as race simulations, Kieran will coach drivers through topics including:

Meet Kieran Roberts British-born Kieran Roberts brings years of program and facilities development experience to Monticello Motor Club’s karting track. Before joining MMC, Kieran was the assistant track manager, director of Competition, and chief instructor at Grand Prix New York in Mount Kisco. He then became the assistant general manager of On Track Karting in Connecticut. While with On Track, Kieran developed both a new instruction curriculum and a competition program. Outside of karting, Kieran has a diverse collection of interests. He initially attended Roger Williams University for an undergraduate degree in both mechanical engineering and music, but left early to explore his passion for flying. Since then, Kieran has earned his private rotorcraft pilot’s license, and is planning to take the test for a professional helicopter pilot’s license shortly.

• Basic kart control • Identifying the racing line • Reducing lap times • Passing techniques • Race starts BIREL Birel expert and MMC Karting Coach Marc Miller is developing curricula for Birel karting clinics geared toward intermediate to advanced karters. These clinics are going to dig into mechanical knowledge, race weekend planning, and the mental and physical preparation that goes into competing. Marc’s comprehensive classroom and track sessions will address topics including: • Chassis dynamics and tuning • Driving/racecraft techniques and theory • Data acquisition analysis Keep an eye out for more information about these and other karting programs.

Meet Marc Miller Marc Miller is a winning professional driver, experienced engineer, and seasoned coach. He holds numerous national karting championships, and has been ranked as one of the leading shifter kart road racers in North America. Since taking Rookie of the Year honors in the 1998 Canadian Pro F1200 Championship Series, Marc has gone on to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, Playboy MX-5 Mazda Cup, and Sports Car Club of America-sanctioned events. He has compiled numerous podium finishes and wins along the way. Marc is the director of Brand Development and an advanced instructor for MRP Motorsport, and an importer for Birel racing karts and Rotax kart engines. He travels widely as a professional driving coach for national karting, IMSA, SCCA, PCA, and BMW CCA events, as well as for private track days. Marc currently races with CJ Wilson Racing (IMSA) and Viper Exchange Riley Motorsports (2015 Le Mans). V O L UM E 4 | M O T O R C L U B MAGAZINE

“Competing and driving with my dad has been a big benefit to our relationship... it’s something we really enjoy.” -

W.,

Scott & Dylan:

I’m Your Biggest Fan.

MC members Scott M. and his son, Dylan W., are tight, and motorsports has always played a big part in that bond. Their mutual need for speed is what drew them to Monticello Motor Club earlier this year. They fell in love immediately. Scott gave Dylan a membership for his 15th birthday. At the same time, Scott signed up himself. Scott thought it was the perfect place for his son to earnestly begin to pursue his dream of becoming a professional racer.

Initially, Scott joined to give himself a place to open up the Speciale, but he and his son are having just as much fun experiencing MMC’s fleet of high-performance rental vehicles. “We’re in an exploration period right now,” said Scott. “We’re trying to decide if we should have a dedicated track car – or two – built for us.”

That same day, the father-and-son duo was out on the track for some high-speed fun, Scott in his Ferrari 458 Speciale and Dylan in a race-prepped Miata.

Right now Scott and Dylan are learning the ins and outs of driving MMC’s Porsche PDKs so that they can compete against one another in equally matched cars.

Scott just may be the coolest dad in the world.

“I think that if he knows the track, he’s faster than I am,” Scott ribbed. “If it’s a cold track – if neither of us knows it – I’m faster.”

“We’re fortunate to both love racing cars, and we’ve found a place where we

can do it together,” said Scott. “MMC is so convenient; it gives us the ability to go to the track when we want, as opposed to having to work around a club or track’s schedule.”

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“Sometimes,” Dylan chimed in. Competing is what these two enjoy. They’ve been doing it for years, starting shortly after Dylan began karting when he was just seven years old. It continues to bloom on MMC’s main track, as they expand their driving skills. “Competing and driving with my dad has been a big benefit to our relationship,” Dylan said. “It’s something we really enjoy.” Eventually, Scott and Dylan plan to pursue racing licenses together, and try some outside racing events. But for now, they’re focused on getting a handle on MMC’s road course. “This isn’t a track you master overnight; you don’t get here, do it for a year, and get bored of it,” said Scott. “It’s a track that allows you to constantly push yourself.”

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Automotive Leaders Cruise MMC’s Red Carpet

MMC Celebrity Sightings (profiles not all-inclusive of 2015’s visiting elite)

2016 BMW 7-Series

McLaren P1

Months before it was available for sale, the BMW 7-Series visited MMC as part of its introduction to dealerships and members of the media from the United States, Canada, Latin America, New Zealand, Australia, and India.

MMC was pleased to host a McLaren driving event this season with Miller Motorcars, a valuable friend of MMC. Clients of Miller’s McLaren brand had the exclusive opportunity to explore the true potential of their cars on track while mingling with MMC members for the day. McLaren guests drove a variety of different models, including the 12C, 650S, 675LT, and the 2015 McLaren P1, a limited-edition super car from the world’s second-oldest F1 team and the spiritual successor to the iconic McLaren F1.

BY THE NUMBERS: • 0-60 mph in 5.4 sec (740i); 4.3 sec (750i xDrive) • Top speed of 130 mph (155 mph optional) • 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.4L V8 • 320-445-hp • 8-speed automatic • 4-door, 4- or 5-passenger, front-engine, RWD/AWD sedan • 4,225 lb (740i); 4,610 lb (750i xDrive)

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BY THE NUMBERS: • 0-60 mph in 2.7 sec • Top speed of 247 mph • Twin-turbocharged 3.8L V8 paired with 177-hp electric motor • 727-hp (V8); 177-hp (electric) (together generating 903-bhp) • 7-speed dual-clutch; rear-wheel drive • 2-door coupe • Three driving modes: E-mode, Instant Power Assist System (IPAS) mode, Active mode

Monticello Motor Club has become the place to see – and to be seen – for the automotive elite. Since it opened in 2008, MMC has played host to some of the most exclusive automotive lines in the world. Manufacturers, exotic dealerships, race teams, film crews, photographers, and reporters – they all count MMC among the best places in the world to tune up, try out, and show off. MMC’s 4.1-mile asphalt track and its exclusive membership combine to create the perfect landscape for bringing together the most discerning of auto enthusiasts with the crème de la crème of high-performance vehicles. Mercedes. Ferrari. Aston Martin. Praga. Porsche. Rolls Royce. Jaguar. They’ve all been here. Last year alone, MMC’s elite automotive guests included the Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT4, Praga R1, Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, Pagani Huayra, and Lamborghini Huracán. Oh, and we mustn’t forget the first production Spyder Creations 550 Spyder. Historically, MMC’s members have enjoyed exclusive access to many of these rare automotive gems, often before anyone else in the United States. The 2015 season was certainly no exception.

Ariel Spec: RaceAtom; Ariel Atom 3 (US)

Ferrari 458 Challenge Car; Ferrari F12berlinetta

No roof, no doors, no compromise. MMC members were once again afforded the opportunity to experience the Ariel Atom, manufactured exclusively in North America by TMI Autotech, Inc. These high-performance roadsters and racers have zero doors and a unique open cabin.

MMC collaborated once again with Miller Motorcars to give clients of Miller’s Ferrari brand a chance to push the limits of their high-performance vehicles on MMC’s track. Guests of the exclusive event also had a chance to drive both a 458 Challenge Car, a track-only racecar designed to be fielded in the Ferrari Challenge, and an F12berlinetta, the most powerful street production Ferrari in history, aside from the limited edition La Ferrari.

BY THE NUMBERS: • 0-60 mph in 3.4 sec (Race); 2.9 sec (3) • Top speed of 145 mph (Race); 155 mph (3) • Naturally aspirated 2.4L Honda K24 i-VTEC • 230-bhp • 6-speed close ratio with limited slip differential • Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive, 2-passenger • 1,315 lb (Race); 1,350 lb (3) • Race Technology (Dash 2) digital race dash & custom switch panel (Race)

BY THE NUMBERS: • 0-60 mph in 3.0 sec (458); 3.1 sec (F12) • Top speed of 192 mph (458); 227 mph (F12) • 4.5L V8 (458); 6.3L V12 (F12) • 562-bhp (458); 730-bhp (F12) • 7-speed sequential; dual clutch • Racing cockpit (458); 2-door coupe (F12) • Generates up to 1.6 lateral Gs (458)

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MMC Celebrity Sightings

2016 Cadillac ATS-V

Radical RXC Turbo 500; Spyder; SR3 RSX

MMC members and press were treated to an on-track and behind-the-wheel look at Cadillac’s newly redesigned ATS-V Series. Building on the strengths of the award-winning ATS product line, the V-Series adds impressive track capability to what was already the lightest and most agile car in the luxury compact class.

Radical’s baddest Le Mans-inspired racecars were put through their paces during exclusive test drives at MMC. Representatives from Radical were on hand with three of the manufacturer’s most exciting vehicles: the Radical RXC Turbo 500, the Spyder, and the Radical SR3 RSX.

BY THE NUMBERS: • 0-60 mph in 3.8 sec • Top speed of 189 mph • Twin-turbo 3.6L V6 • 464-hp • Tremec TR6060 manual transmission • 3,700 lb • Five track modes

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BY THE NUMBERS: • 0-60 mph in 2.6 sec (RXC); 3.0 sec (Spyder); 3.1 sec (RSX) • Top speed of 185 mph (RXC); 187 mph (Spyder); 155 mph (RSX) • 500-bhp (RXC); 440-bhp (Spyder); 260-bhp (RSX) • 7-speed sequential manual • 900 kg of downforce at max speed RXC Turbo 500 • Radical’s first coupe; for track & road • 3.5L Turbo Ford EcoBoost V6; water-cooled Garrett GT28 turbochargers • Fixed-head coupe Spyder • Open-top Le Mans style racecar • 2.9 RPE V8 Radical SR3 RSX • Designed for high-performance track driving • RPE 1500cc Generation 3; 4-cyl DOHC engine • Up to 3 lateral Gs, equivalent to the space shuttle at take off

Official Vehicle Partner of Monticello Motor Club:

N O R T H

A M E R I C A

Jaguar Land Rover North America and Monticello Motor Club continue to enjoy the benefits of their deepening partnership, which took root two years ago. MMC’s members enjoy access to a fleet of the manufacturer’s high-performance vehicles, and Jaguar Land Rover North America has found an ideal setting to demonstrate its very latest Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles to MMC members, reporters, and other guests of the track. There’s no better place to showcase the superior performance of the Jaguar F-TYPE than on MMC’s 4.1-mile track, or to experience the 2016 Land Rover lineup than on MMC’s technical 300-acre off-road course (designed with the help of Land Rover experts).

2016 Jaguar F-Type R; F-Type S BY THE NUMBERS: • 0-60 mph in 3.9 sec (R); 4.9 sec (S) • Top speed of 186 mph (R); 171 mph (S) • Supercharged 550-hp 5.0L V8 (R); Supercharged 380-hp 3.0L V6 (S) • 8-speed automatic/all-wheel drive • 3,814-3,847 lb (R); 3,492-3,735 lb (S)

Range Rover Sport SVR BY THE NUMBERS: • 0-60 mph in 4.5 sec • Top speed of 162 mph • 5,158 lb • 550-hp 5.0L supercharged V8 • 8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive • Fastest Range Rover ever (Nurburgring lap time: 8:14:00) • 33.5 in of water wading depth; 9.3 in of ground clearance

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MONTICELLO MOTOR CLUB

TEAM CHALLENGE re

su a le P & ss e n si u B g in ix M

To learn more about booking a corporate event at MMC, please email info@monticellomotorclub.com, or call 855.MMC.CLUB.

M O TO R C L U B MAGAZ INE | VOLU M E 4

othing says “thank you for your business” like a day of high-speed action at Monticello Motor Club, North America’s premier automotive country club and private race track. Just ask MMC member Todd P. As a show of appreciation for his best clients’ loyalty, Todd arranged an MMC Team Challenge event. “Clients always get invited to pro baseball and football games,” said Todd. “How often do they get invited to drive on a real race track?” MMC is quickly becoming the go-to spot for business leaders intent on making a lasting impression. That can often be a difficult feat when considering that most executives have been wined and dined with the best of them. Still, few have had an experience like the one enjoyed at MMC. Designed to excite complete novices and experienced track enthusiasts alike, each team challenge program at MMC is customized to meet each client’s high expectations. “There’s a standard itinerary of great activities,” said Debra Marciano, MMC’s senior manager of Experience. “But we always explore new and creative ways to make each outing unique and memorable.” Participants always enjoy hot laps in high-performance cars like the 550-hp Jaguar F-Type Coupes and Porsche Cayman PDK racecars, but it’s the competitive elements that really get everyone fired up. Todd and his group started out on various configurations of MMC’s 4.1-mile race track, and competed against one another in multiple events, including slalom runs and a “stopping distance” challenge.

“An MMC staffer was always there to make sure every moment was exciting,” Todd said. “The instructors especially made our day; they gave us real pro tips, set us up in our cars, and held the leash just tight enough to keep us safe, while allowing us to have a real blast.” As the day’s events moved to MMC’s 0.6-mile karting track, the competitive spirit really kicked in. “It was ‘take no prisoners’ out there,” Todd said. “Guys were really going for it. It was the most fun we had ever had.” The day wrapped with a meal prepared by MMC’s CIA-trained executive chef, and a boisterous awards ceremony in MMC’s private clubhouse. Custom scorecards and photos were handed out, and medals were awarded to recognize some of the day’s accomplishments – impressive and dubious alike. “We always recognize the guys who did great on the track,” said Debra, “but we also hand out fun awards – like ‘the Cone Crusher’ and ‘the Least Likely to Get a Speeding Ticket’ – that bring out the laughter in each group.” Todd and his team couldn’t have been happier with the experience. In fact, he and his partner have already scheduled their next client outing at MMC. “All the camaraderie and competition absolutely brought us together,” said Todd. “The whole day made everyone feel special; they all told me this was the best business ‘thank you’ they’d ever received.”

MMC’s instructors and team leaders were on hand throughout each event to provide guidance and direction.

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MMC PRO SHOP

COOLSHIRT SYSTEMS

COOLSHIRT Systems help racers perform at their best with

A single COOLSHIRT contains more than 45 feet of medical-grade,

a PROCOOL R cooling system that is built right into the shirt.

non-kink capillary tubing securely stitched on the front and back of the shirt. The tubes are connected to a compact cooling unit

With multiple safety features and a rugged carbon fiber and

via insulated hose. The cooling unit contains ice, water, and an

aluminum housing, PROCOOL R systems are designed for the

internal pump that supplies cool water to the COOLSHIRT as it

harshest racing environments on earth. They can keep you cool

covers up to 40 percent of your body.

all the way to the podium. COOLSHIRT Systems will not interfere with your shoulder Laboratory tests have demonstrated that keeping the core

harnesses or HANS device; the garment itself does not require

body temperature stable will result in quicker reactions, fewer

special care (machine-washable).

mistakes, and reduced heart rate. Water-cooled shirt systems, like COOLSHIRT Systems, are the most effective, comfortable, and controllable way to keep you from dangerous overheating.

COOLSHIRT Systems (black, royal blue, or white garment) are available for $343 in MMCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pro Shop.

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BONDING OVER BRAGGING RIGHTS

Jessica & Justin

hose who race together, stay together.

Okay, so that isn’t exactly how that old adage goes, but for Justin and Jessica T., it should be. The couple met while competing as semi-pro snowboarders two decades ago. They have been competitors together ever since. Nothing has dulled their love of one-upping each other – both in play and in life. Most recently, that competitive spark they share led them to the 4.1-mile race track at Monticello Motor Club. “Oh, we compete at daily life: who’s cooler; who’s better dressed,” Jessica joked. “Honestly, MMC is right up our

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alley. I don’t know what took me so long to get on board.” Justin joined MMC in 2014, and spent his first season getting to know the track and other MMC members. He tried to talk Jessica into joining him, but she initially took a pass. That was until she visited the Club to watch Justin compete in a Queally Miata Race Challenge in June 2015. Created by MMC Co-Founder and Partner Paul Queally, the Queally Miata series utilizes race-modified Mazda Miatas. Its low-key, laid-back vibe attracts both newbies and experienced racers, all of whom enjoy the camaraderie as much as the light-hearted competition.

“Once I saw the relaxed atmosphere of the Club, especially during the Queally Miata races, I was in,” Jessica said. “I loved all the race talk going on in the pits during the race; I knew right then that I wanted to do as many of the (Queally Miata) races as I could, and soon!” A month later, Jessica graduated from MMC’s 2-Day Intro to Racing School. Years of karting with Justin had paid off, and on the first day, Jessica was easily the fastest student in the class. Still, she wasn’t quite ready to join the others on the grid. But the day she graduated from MMC’s 2-Day Advanced Racing School, she was strapping into one

“Bragging rights definitely follow us home, so I’m dead set on not letting her beat me...” -

of MMC’s fleet Miatas for her first competitive race. “Here I was, running against 35 guys, most who had been doing this sort of thing for a while by then,” Jessica recalled. “But there was absolutely no ‘man-versus-woman’ thing. They treated me like an equal.” In true Queally Miata fashion, Jessica received nothing but support and encouragement from fellow members for her rookie endeavor. Of course, it didn’t hurt that Jessica made an impressive showing on the track that day, even against some of the series’ more experienced racers. “Literally her third time on the track, and she’s in the top half of the group,” Justin said, clearly proud of

T .

his wife’s accomplishment. “That was while running alongside some really fast guys.” Jessica couldn’t help but point out that her time during her first race was the same as Justin’s fastest time at the end of the 2014 driving season. “That’s after he’d had a year’s worth of experience on the track in his own Miata,” she beamed.

With that gauntlet thrown, it looks like it’s “Game On” for these two as they prepare for the 2016 kickoff of MMC’s Queally Miata series, and another year of marital bonding over bragging rights. “Do one and you’re hooked,” said Jessica. “I’m focused on beating my husband right now, but after that, I’m going after Paul (the race’s namesake).”

Oh, how quickly the competitively playful spirit of the Queally Miata series can take hold of you. “Bragging rights definitely follow us home, so I’m dead set on not letting her beat me,” he said.

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COMES HOME

Mike L. | 1969 Camaro SS

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“That was the coolest weekend ever.” -

onticello Motor Club member Mike L.’s 1969 Camaro SS “Luminous” is a dream come true.

“From the moment I could drive, I wanted a ’69 Camaro,” said Mike. “When I was finally in the position to get one, I wanted to recreate the image I had in mind all those years: a street-legal racecar.” It took two years to build Mike’s dream car, but it was worth the wait. Don’t let Luminous’ stock muscle car look fool you; under its slick exterior, this car is far from stock. Master builder Brent Jarvis and the crew at Performance Restorations combined forces with Schwartz Performance, Midwest Engine Tech, and Ogden Top and Trim to outfit Luminous with race-grade components, all the way from its interior to its chassis and engine. Roughly four months into the project, Mike began his search for the perfect track to run his Camaro. He had made a vow not to keep it stored away like some “trailer queen,” he said.

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“I looked in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. I even considered Watkins Glen International,” Mike said. “Once I visited MMC, I knew I’d found my Camaro’s future home.” Mike joined MMC in January 2014. Since then, he’s invested his time learning MMC’s 4.1-mile track, and making good use of the private instruction that is included with his membership. Before his Camaro was finished, Mike explored the varied high-performance options available in MMC’s rental fleet. Now he’s taking it up a notch, and laying down some rubber in his own American classic. “Whenever I’m at MMC, I’m with an instructor in the morning, and out on my own after lunch to practice what I learned earlier,” he said. “I’ve gained a little something from each of the Club’s instructors, but Ben Haymann in particular taught me some tricks that I have been able to leverage with the Camaro.” “His style is perfect for helping me achieve what I hope to with this car,” Mike added.

Just a day after bringing the car to New York from the build shop in Illinois, Mike entered Luminous in the 2015 Sawyer Motors Car Show in Saugerties, N.Y. Mike was overjoyed when it won Best In Show. “I flew out to Chicago to get the car on a Thursday. We started our trip back on Friday morning, the Camaro in tow, and arrived in New York on Saturday afternoon,” Mike said. “We had a really fantastic day at the show on Sunday, and just 24 hours after that, I was pulling Luminous onto the track at MMC.” “That was the coolest weekend ever,” he said. The Camaro fits right in the eclectic pit lane at MMC, and Mike is comforted with the knowledge that the experienced technicians in MMC’s Service Center are willing and able to keep his dream car in top condition. “Brent told the guys in the shop everything there is to know about the car,” Mike said. “I know it’s in good hands now, and I can just turn over the keys with the knowledge that my car will always be well taken care of.”

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Ben Haymann:

Pro Instructor In Control 34

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“Vroom! Vroom!” Those were Ben Haymann’s first words, and an impressively accurate foretelling of his life’s path.

Ben grew up around cars and racing. He used to watch his dad, Greg, and his uncle, Bruce, race SCCA Pro Rally as co-drivers in their Audi 5000. Ben even helped build their next car, an Audi 90 with a 10V turbo motor with stand-alone fuel injection. By the time he was 14, Ben was learning about car control by driving that same Audi 90 on frozen lakes here in New York and in Canada. He continued to expand his skills through Apex driving events and High Performance Driver Education days with Audi Club. A few short years later, he had graduated from being a student to coaching others during HPDE days. But his life wasn’t all about cars, at least not yet.

“We had a group of French Canadian drivers on site, but we were at a loss when we realized they weren’t that comfortable with the English language,” Alex recalled. “We weren’t sure how to move forward, when here comes Ben, speaking French, out of nowhere. He took the crew out on track, and really made each one of them feel comfortable and welcome.” Ben has a deep love of competitive racing. In 2013, his lifelong affiliation with, and love of Audis influenced his decision to join Andrew Chang’s g-tron Racing, an amateur team which boasts of “racing 20-year-old Audis like they’re current technology.” While with g-tron, Ben ran in “LeMons” Races, an endurance series for cars valued at under $500.

Ben earned his undergraduate degree from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and got a day job with Harney & Sons Master Tea Blenders as a sales and marketing representative in Brooklyn, N.Y. Still, he couldn’t shake that ever-present need for speed.

Ben went on to participate in the American Endurance Racing series for g-tron, and in 2014 took a 2nd place finish in “Class B” competition at Lime Rock Park. This year he captured another 2nd place finish for the team in the “Indy Class” race during American Endurance Racing’s opening weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park.

“I saved up to do a 3-day Spec Renault School at New Jersey Motorsports Park, and told myself that if I did well, I was going for it,” Ben said. “If the talent wasn’t there, I’d go back to my day job.”

Most recently, Ben tackled his first ever IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge race as part of a Rennsport One team, sponsored in part by MMC.

Ben never made it back to that desk. Instead, he was offered a try-out for Skip Barber Racing School. Ben “killed it” at the Atlanta, Ga. event, and was offered a part-time gig instructing at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut. Impressed not only with his showing at the try-out, but also with his unique aptitude for winter driving, Skip Barber tapped Ben to teach its first winter driving school at Hunter Mountain.

Ben’s co-driver, Casey Carden, drove for the first 45 minutes of the 2.5-hour race, moving the #88 Porsche Cayman from a 27th starting position to 23rd position. Ben drove the remaining 1.75 hours of the race, battling pouring rain and nearly zero-visibility the whole time. Still, Ben’s team earned a top 10 finish, and the praise of a race commentator who called Ben’s driving “brilliant.”

Among his students at the school was Alex Wolenski, Monticello Motor Club’s vice president of Operations. Alex was so impressed with Ben’s driving and teaching skills, he offered Ben a position at MMC. “Ben’s car control is always on point; he’s able to make a car do what he wants on any surface,” said Alex. “Not too many drivers can say the same, so it’s definitely something distinctive that he adds to his coaching sessions.” But that’s not the only unique quality Ben has brought to MMC. Ben also speaks fluent French (thanks to his parents, originally from the Romandy region in Switzerland), which has been surprisingly helpful at MMC on more than one occasion.

“MMC’s members and management really support the instructors, and encourage us to pursue our own pro racing goals,” said Ben. “I get to meet accomplished professionals from all walks of life that I couldn’t get to know anywhere else. They all cheer us on, and that makes the whole racing experience even better.” Couple that support with MMC’s impressive facilities, its talented staff, and its expansive fleet of vehicles, and Ben couldn’t imagine working anywhere else. “With its layout and elevation changes, MMC’s track is easily one of the best in the country,” Ben said. “But what is really outstanding is the team I get to work with. The whole driving program here is incredible, and it’s flexible enough that each of us can teach in his or her own style.”

LAT USA, COURTESY OF IMSA

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Lamborghini Paramus

Lamborghini Paramus Authorized Dealer 401 Route 17 South Paramus, NJ 07652 866.203.8526

The Prestige Family of Dealerships is pleased to announce the newest member of the family, Lamborghini Paramus. For more than four decades, Prestige dealerships have been providing Bergen County and the tri-state area with an unparalleled ownership experience. Prestigeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lamborghini store will continue that very same experience to its new Lamborghini customers. Lamborghini Paramus lamborghini-paramus.com

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SNOW DRIFT e m i t y a l P V O L UM E 4 | M O TO R C L U B MAGAZINE

he snow tires were on, and all bets were off as the controlled mayhem of 2015’s Winter Driving Day commenced.

Members showed up for the day of play in all manner of street vehicles, and enjoyed a winter wonderland experience on MMC’s Mushroom Course, and later, the entire South Course. “It was one of the most fun days I’ve ever had on a track,” said MMC member Lewis L., who drove his Audi S8. “Sliding around the track – sideways the whole time – was like being a high school kid, but without the cops chasing you.” “We were all just giddy,” he added.

Some drivers came prepared to conquer the conditions, maneuvering easily through the snow in Hummers and the like. Others, like MMC member Aaron P., showed up in rides more suitable for mall parking lots and carpools. Aaron tooled around the track in his wife’s Hyundai rear-wheel drive sedan, adorably complete with two children’s car seats in the back. “You can laugh, but I have a whole new respect for that car; I can’t believe how fast and responsive it was out there,” Aaron said. “I was at another track doing snow driving the week before, and there was just no comparison; the conditions were so much better at MMC,” Lewis said. “The whole thing was done in true MMC fashion – the hospitality was outstanding, the clubhouse was great, and those meals… incredible!”

Members enjoyed perfect conditions all day, thanks to MMC’s friendly neighbors at Holiday Mountain Ski & Fun Park. They loaned out their Snow Cat to groom the course In fact, Lewis’ guest, who drove one of MMC’s rental Miatas, was so impressed with his visit to MMC that he for the occasion, allowing Alex Wolenski, MMC’s vice president of Operations, and his team to keep the course has since submitted his application to become a member. smooth and clear, and to provide a wide driving area for members to enjoy.

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Gated Luxury... for your cars and your family.

Located directly next to MONTICELLO MOTOR CLUB Only 27 lots remain! Visit www.serenitygardens.net for more information. V O L UM E 4 | M O T O R C L U B MAGAZINE

M M C

HOS T S

ULTIM AT E

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C O U P L E ’S

V IC T O RY

L A P

onticello Motor Club founding member Joe O. and his fiancée, Niki, wanted to make their wedding day something to remember, not only for themselves, but for their family and friends.

The ceremony itself was held in the grass between turns four and five of MMC’s 4.1-mile track. An altar was set up, and a grassy aisle was created between two adjacent seating areas.

A reception hall was too runof-the-mill, of course, but what about a barn setting? Maybe a private garden?

Niki, in her stunning, lacy finery, made her entrance for the processional from out of the pit area in a pristine white convertible 1976 Cadillac El Dorado, courtesy of MMC Co-Founder and Chairman John Barker. Behind the wheel was Ari himself. (Did you really expect a horse-drawn carriage for this couple?)

A vineyard was high on the list of possibilities, as food and wine are both Niki’s passion and her business. Then MMC President and Managing Partner Ari Straus introduced the idea of bringing their special event to MMC. It had never been done before. Sure, MMC has played host to all sorts of events: international vehicle launches, corporate team-building events, even 70th birthday parties. But a wedding? “A wedding at the track? Sign me up!” said Joe, who lives on the Upper West Side in Manhattan. “I knew Niki wanted a unique space, great scenery, and something fun that our guests would remember. Triple check.” Still, Joe wasn’t entirely sure Niki would be on board. “Niki understands (or perhaps tolerates?) my enthusiasm for racing and cars, but she has absolutely no interest in motorsports,” Joe said. “I was really surprised that she was so into the idea.” And so the planning began. MMC’s team worked closely with the couple’s wedding planner, caterer, and entertainment to transform MMC into the perfect blend of traditional elegance and highperformance excitement. “The MMC staff was great; they went above and beyond to support us with the planning and day of,” said Joe. “180 guests? No problem.”

Once Joe had kissed his bride, the newly minted husband and wife climbed back into the Cadillac, and Ari treated them to a slow-speed “victory lap” around the track. In the meantime, guests moved easily from the ceremony space to cocktail hour, hosted in MMC’s clubhouse and its adjoining outdoor patio area overlooking the South Pits. A selection of MMC’s exotic fleet vehicles, parked outside the clubhouse, made for great conversation and photo opportunities. Following cocktail hour, Joe and Niki’s guests gathered for a buffet-style dinner in MMC’s main garage. By then, the space had been completely transformed into an elegant reception area, with pale lavender table coverings and matching specialty lighting. With the party in full swing, the open space was perfectly balanced with dining tables and a dance floor. The large garage doors provided gorgeous views of the track and the early autumn foliage that surrounded the entire property. “Our friends and family were superexcited about being at MMC for the day,” Joe said. “It’s not something they typically do; it was a truly different and fun experience, and that’s exactly what we wanted.”

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Joe: The Gentleman Driver BY MMC PRESIDENT & MANAGING PARTNER ARI STRAUS

While attending Hackley School in Tarrytown, N.Y., I visited a race shop owned by my high school girlfriend’s father, Bob Akin, and watched his team prepare the famous Coca-Cola-branded Porsche 962 for an upcoming race. Inspired, I attended a 3-day race school, and asked him how I could become a racecar driver, like him. “Work as hard as you can for the next 20 years, save some money, and then go have fun racing,” he said. A “gentleman driver” is a driver on a professional racing team who does not earn a living from racing, and who provides funding for the team, directly or through family and friends. This doesn’t imply that anyone can be a racecar driver. Skill is required, and proficient gentleman drivers win many races, driving solo or with teammates in endurance races, often competing against career professionals. The world of sportscar racing is fueled by gentleman drivers. Remarkably, over half of most professional races are actually comprised of non-career racers who are funding their own “seat.”

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The most respected gentleman drivers, like Bob Akin, have a history of podium finishes, unwavering sportsmanship, broad interests beyond racing, and contributions to the racing community. Since opening in 2008, Monticello Motor Club has been the single largest incubator for professional gentleman drivers. Over a dozen members who had zero track experience prior to joining MMC are actively competing in professional road races, from the SCCA Pro Battery Tender Mazda MX-5 Cup, presented by BFGoodrich, to the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge. These gentleman drivers have fulfilled dreams, competing in the 12 hours of Sebring, Petit Le Mans, and even the world-famous Rolex 24 at Daytona. MMC member Joe C. is an inspiring example. Like many gentleman drivers, Joe’s love of motorsports started in childhood. Born in Scotland, he followed fellow countryman Jackie Stewart’s career. After moving to the United States at eight years old, Joe and his older brother, Paul, would attend local Firestone and Camel GT Series races and follow F1 with fervor.

Since joining MMC in 2010 with almost no prior experience, Joe quickly progressed from learning high-performance driving techniques in street cars to amateur racing in MMC member events. He now also competes in two professional series: the Lamborghini Super Trofeo and Ferrari Challenge. Piloting the #77 Lamborghini Huracán, Joe has taken multiple podium finishes, and is currently third in overall points in the series’ Pro-Am division. In Ferrari Challenge, he’s currently second in points for the Coppa Shell Championship with multiple wins, including a P1 finish at Miami, P1 and P2 finishes at Sonoma, P2 and P3 finishes in Montreal, a P3 finish at Mont Tremblant, two P2 finishes at Mosport, and a recent P2 finish at New Orleans.

When he isn’t working, racing, or spending time with his two children and wife of 21 years, Joe is composing music. Before turning EAS into one of Connecticut’s largest employers, Joe was singing with a band and planned to attend the Berklee School of Music. Joe still carves out time to compose music at his home recording studio. He also plays in a band aptly named “3 a.m.”, a tribute to late hours of hard work.

Like Joe’s racing endeavors, his work history is meteoric and intense. At 13, Joe worked after school and during summer breaks in his father’s machine shop in Brookfield, Conn. After high school, he held two full-time jobs: selling Electrolux vacuum cleaners, and preparing new cars for delivery for a dealership. In 1996, he joined a 3-person collection agency, Eastern Account Systems. In 2006, with 17 employees, Joe purchased EAS and launched a new call center business to support existing collection clients. Today, EAS employs over 1,500 people across three call centers.

His successes in professional racing, contributions to the community, and his broad interests beyond racing provide inspiration to fellow MMC members and all motorsports enthusiasts with a dream:

The hard work has paid off for Joe, and he has paid it forward by sharing his humble generosity with young drivers. His help has given them a chance to pursue their passion in motorsports and their dreams of racing professionally.

“Work hard... then go have fun racing.”

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FUN & FUND AROUND NORTH AMERICA: ONE MMC MEMBER’S CROSS-COUNTRY ADVENTURE

FOR A CAUSE

supercar. An open road. A great cause.

Those were just the ingredients MMC member John K. needed to begin the adventure of a lifetime. In June, John headed out in his shiny black McLaren MP4-12C for a road trip that would last more than three months. John’s mission: to raise wide-spread awareness for a fantastic charity called Dream Drives for Kids. Dream Drives, founded by Oregon car enthusiasts and collectors Eric and Amity Pederson, is a volunteer organization that gives sick and medically fragile children access to exotic automobiles, creating wonderful moments and memories for them, their families, and their caregivers. “It’s like Make-a-Wish for kids who dig cars,” said John, who learned of the organization after chatting with Eric in an online McLaren forum. Eric told John that he was interested in expanding the Dream Drives program outside of Oregon, so John volunteered to become Dream Drives’ ambassador as he traveled through America’s 48 contiguous states (with a small detour into Canada).

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Once Monticello Motor Club President and Managing Partner Ari Straus got wind of John’s plans, MMC not only donated to Dream Drives, but also provided a custom-designed wrap for John’s McLaren. The wrap, applied by Phantom Graphic Enterprises during one of John’s stops in the state of Florida, featured eye-popping racing stripes and branding for both MMC and Dream Drives for Kids. “It was pretty over the top; it turned every gas station into a car show,” said John. “People noticed the wrap and asked me all about Dream Drives; everywhere I went I was able to let people know about something great.” As the weeks and miles passed, John’s Dream Drives-branded McLaren also started showing up on Facebook, Instagram, and other social media outlets. Word was getting around about his trek, and that meant even more exposure for Dream Drives. “John’s trip helped us introduce an entirely new audience to our efforts,” said Eric. “From families interested in how they could schedule a Dream Drive, to potential donors who wanted to help us; he really made a difference.”

St. Joseph’s Hospital, Tampa, Florida

Medical City Children’s Hospital, Dallas, Texas

Along his route, John visited children’s hospitals in Tampa, Fla. and Dallas, Texas, to offer relief to kids at a time when they most needed it.

Still, John had to admit to a small pang of remorse when, upon his return, he pulled into his McLaren dealership to get his vehicle checked out.

“Some kids struggled just to get up from their wheelchairs, just to get in (to the car), and you could see the fight, the determination,” John said. “For a little time there, when they were posing in the car and messing around, you could see a bit of the kid go back in to their face, and they could put a bit of their warrior away, just for a little while.”

“I parked my car next to several shiny new McLarens,” said John. “With the wear on the wrap and all the dust, my car looked like something out of a Mad Max movie.”

Without a doubt, the nearly 14,000 miles John put on his supercar during his 3-month adventure were worth it. “We were so encouraged by John’s success that we’ve accelerated our efforts to bring our program to cities across the United States,” said Eric.

No matter. John wouldn’t change a moment of his cross-country journey. Since his return, John has already been approached by other MMC members interested in playing a role in Dream Drives in the future. “I feel like I received so much more out of this than I put in,” John said. “It was so rewarding; I was really fortunate to have had the opportunity to do this.”

To learn more about Dream Drives for Kids, visit www.dreamdrivesforkids.com. Visit www.facebook.com/FunAndFundAroundNorthAmerica to see videos and pictures from John’s cross-country adventure.

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BROWNFIELD, TX

SEATTLE, WA

RAPID CITY, SD This is truly the 8th wonder of the world. Go see it if you ever get the chance. Touching the face and seeing how it dwarfs you, just super impressive. The entire mountain is a sculpture.

CRAZY HORSE, SD

The southernmost point in America… The roads are horrendous if you are a driving enthusiast. Speed limits are 55 mph and people go 37 mph.

ROSWELL, NM

KEY WEST, FL

Where in America is MMC member John K.?

(images and excerpts from John’s Facebook “diary” of his cross-country drive to benefit Dream Drives for Kids)

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ROSCOE, IL

ANGELO, WI

CHESAPEAKE BAY BRIDGE, MD

So this was a super cool stop. Little shop “FAST” that makes “Fiberglass Animals, Shapes & Trademarks” and has this amazing “graveyard” of huge shapes, slides, lions, skulls, bulls, horses, bats, huge fish, dinosaurs… huge ginormous wonders… Well worth a stop, as it teeters between breathtaking, magical, and creepy.

CODY, WY ST. PETERSBURG, FL

GEORGIA/SOUTH CAROLINA

“How fast have I gone in it? That’s a trick question, right?” Gave two really nice officers a looksee…

KE, OR

CRATER LA

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Lewis Liebert:

PERSONAL GROWTH; PROFESSIONAL GROWTH Who ever said you can’t mix business with pleasure? Lewis Liebert, owner of Performance Flight, a full-service private charter provider and flight school, is blowing that theory away at MMC. On the track, Lewis has focused wholly on his skills as a driver, enjoying both ego-bruising lessons and incredible accomplishments. Off the track, he has embraced the “club” concept, taking it to a whole new level of relationship building. Friends, employees, racing competitors, clients, business contacts – none are mutually exclusive. They’re all part of Lewis’ MMC experience.

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MMC: How did you go from the occasional track day to being MMC’s club series champion in 2012? Lewis: I thought I knew how to drive fast. It was humbling, really. When I first joined MMC, I learned the hard way that I really wasn’t very good. It took time – and a lot of help from MMC instructors – for me to really learn how to drive the car properly on the track. I’ve advanced my skills through my years, pulling faster and faster lap times. The year 2012 was big for me in terms of racing. Not only did I win the club championship series, it was also the year I took part in my first Porsche Club of America race. At the start of the race, I thought I was all set to win. I realized quickly that I didn’t have a good feel for the car; I didn’t have a good sense for the condition of my brakes. MMC: What did you do at that point to improve? Lewis: I came back to MMC and worked with instructors to learn as much as I could about the technical side of the car. The MMC pro instructors taught me how to analyze data related to the vehicle’s performance and my own driving behavior. It’s amazing, really. You can look at the data, and learn how to improve your technique little by little. When you’re racing to win, those hundredths of a second make all the difference in the world. MMC: How do you utilize MMC for business? Lewis: I’ve brought clients, friends, and staff to the track, all with different purposes and benefits. I’ve brought several clients up, and they’ve all loved it. It’s something completely different than what they may know from public tracks. People think they’ve driven cars fast, until they’re on MMC’s track. Then they realize it’s a whole different experience. I also brought six of my flight instructors here for a corporate event, and the whole day served as a great development and team-building process. Better still, they got to live life as an MMC member, and enjoy an experience that they aren’t likely to ever forget. It was very worthwhile. MMC: What kind of a role do fellow members play in your own member experience? Lewis: I have made some incredible friends at MMC. We’ve all grown as drivers together, and the camaraderie really makes each visit a pleasure. An added bonus has been the business contacts and clients I’ve been able to meet as a member at MMC. It’s a shared personality type, and a shared passion. Some members eventually race in events outside of MMC, and they have travel needs that commercial services don’t support. I’m pleased to be able to answer that need.

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TA KE

T H E

S K IES

WITH

Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to take the controls of an aircraft, or just travel with ease and style, consider Performance Flight your one-stop shop. What are you waiting for?

For more information about Performance Flightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s services, visit www.performanceflight.com.

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For the past three years, MMC members have competed in the Performance Flight Challenge, the member race series sponsored by member Lewis Liebert’s company, Performance Flight. The boutique firm is a globally recognized aviation solutions provider, offering services within three divisions: • Flight training • Jet charters • Aircraft management Since opening its doors in 2007, Performance Flight’s concept has been simple: provide a full range of turnkey aviation services to various markets, all with a customized approach. “In our increasingly up-to-the-minute society, people want solutions, and that’s what Performance Flight provides,” said Lewis. “We offer high-end ‘round the clock service that specifically caters to the unique needs of each client.” Performance Flight considers comfort, cost, and safety above all else in providing its unrivaled global charter services. With the ability to source aircraft around the world based on its premier standards, Performance Flight has access to a fleet of nearly 20,000 planes. Performance Flight works exclusively with operators who have strong safety records, all of which are independently verified. The company’s knowledge of each aircraft and its respective crews and operators helps to ensure that Performance Flight’s clientele consistently enjoys a positive flying experience. “We always strive for the best – and safest – resolution in even the most challenging situations,” said Lewis. “That is what has made our relationship so strong with many of my fellow members at Monticello Motor Club.” More than just a charter broker, Performance Flight operates its own fleet of more than 20 aircraft from its home base in Westchester County, N.Y. This operation further supports the company’s ability to design optimum charter experiences for clients. The training segment of Performance Flight’s operation, also centered in Westchester, is considered among the best in the world. In fact, the company’s reputation is so robust that aircraft manufacturers seeking to improve flight training regard Performance Flight as a positive model to emulate. Interestingly, some MMC members have found that in many ways, flight training and track driving actually complement each other. A handful of MMC members are also trained pilots. “Flight lessons have undoubtedly enhanced my driving ability,” said fellow MMC member and long-time racer John F. “Experiencing flight’s 3-dimensional

ADVERTORIAL

sight picture makes looking through the 2-dimensional sight picture of a turn on the track seem easier.”

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A Little Taste...

“My family’s traditio nal biscotti recipe is a favorite during the winter holidays. It’s perfect for a snack or with espresso for d essert. Hope you enjoy.” MMC EXECUTIVE CH

John Perruna

Perruna Family Biscotti Serves 24 INGREDIENTS: • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter (softened) • ½ cup sugar • ½ cup self-rising flour • ¼ tsp salt • 2 tsp baking powder • 1 tsp ground coriander • Finely grated zest of 1 lemon • ½ cup polenta • 1 egg (lightly beaten) • 2 tsp Cointreau • ½ cup unblanched almonds • ½ cup pistachios DIRECTIONS: • Preheat oven to 325 degrees. • Lightly grease a baking sheet. • Cream together the butter and sugar in a medium-sized bowl. • Sift all the flour, salt, baking powder, and coriander into the bowl. • Add the lemon zest, polenta, egg, and Cointreau to the bowl, and combine to make a soft dough. • Stir in the nuts until they are evenly combined. • Halve the mixture. • Shape each half into a flat roll roughly 9 inches long and 2½ inches wide. • Place on a baking sheet, and bake for 30 minutes until the rolls have risen and are just firm. • Remove the baking sheet from the oven. • When cool, cut each roll diagonally into 12 thin slices using a sharp serrated knife. • Return the baking sheet to the oven, and cook for another 10 minutes until the biscotti is crisp. • Transfer the biscotti to a wire rack. • Let cool completely before serving.

MMC Executive Chef John Perruna is a former restaurant owner and a graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America. He and his team are diligent in their efforts to maintain the standard for fine cuisine and custom catering for which Monticello Motor Club has become known. 52

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G-FORCE: THE RESULT OF ACCELERATION OR GRAVITY

U N I Q U E L Y

RADICAL EXPERIENCE

tanding on the ground, we experience 1 G. The space shuttle, at maximum launch, exerts 3 Gs, pinning astronauts in their seats with the force of three times their own body weight. Imagine driving a racecar capable of doing the same. The 2016 Radical SR3 SRX can do just that, and Monticello Motor Club is the only place in the world where enthusiasts can pilot this rocket on rails. Conceptualized and hand-built in England by Radical UK, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest racecar production company, MMCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Radical SR3 SRX provides drivers with the rare opportunity to enjoy a true Formula-style or Le Mans Prototype (LMP) racecar experience, whether in training or during a real racing situation. V O L UM E 4 | M O T O R C L U B MAGAZINE

The new Radical SR3 SRX at MMC has undergone significant aerodynamic and engine upgrades to take advantage of the Club’s demanding 4.1-mile circuit. It has also been outfitted with AiM dashes and high-definition GPS video camera systems, which allows drivers and coaches to review video footage and data from every aspect of a session. “The overall styling, indeed the general aerodynamics and architecture of the SR3 SRX, has been carried across from Radical’s SR9 LMP-2 Le Mans challenger,” said Tom Drewer, Radical’s director of Operations for North America. “The racecar produces 260 horsepower and revs to over 10,000 RPM, all in a car weighing just over 1,300 pounds.”

“After

driving traditional sports cars for a while, you want a more visceral experience, something lower to the ground and more responsive. The SR3 offers the essence of open-cockpit racing. It is super lightweight and responsive, and the level of grip is something! You can carry so much speed, with so much certainty, into the turns; it has great accuracy and control over placement. Let’s put it this way: If I didn’t already own this style of racecar, my time in the SR3 would have convinced me that it was time to get one!” -

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These cars have true paddle-shift sequential transmissions, with no-lift upshifts and auto-blip on the downshift. It’s the same technology used in Formula One and Le Mans cars, which allows drivers to keep their foot flat on the gas as they pull gears, left foot brake, and, more importantly, keep their hands on the wheel for maximum control. The SR3 SRX also features a front splitter, rear diffusers, and wings, all of which contribute to the feel of real downforce driving. “The SR3 is a proper racing car developed for racing series all around the globe; it is highly regarded by pro drivers, including Formula One greats, but is also a fantastic school car,” Tom said. “The greatest compliment we get at Radical is when novice drivers tell us how comfortable and confident they immediately feel in the SR3.” Private instruction in the Radical SR3 SRX at MMC is limited to select days, and some prior high-performance driving experience is required (which can usually be accomplished in a single day at MMC).

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SOCIAL CIRCUIT 56

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67 Cantrell Road, Monticello, NY 12701 855.MMC.CLUB (855.662.2582) info@monticellomotorclub.com www.monticellomotorclub.com 60

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