Experienced road course enthusiasts will tell you; not all track clubs are created equal. Fear not, we’ve got a first-class one here in Atlanta at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
We can say that from first-hand experience, having spent a track day with The Driving Club at Road Atlanta. Trip Campbell, the CEO/Founder of the Driving Club, has ten years under his belt of delivering a high-level driving experience, and it shows.
His proven experience and attention to detail are readily apparent the moment you darken the doorstep of their 25,000 sq ft clubhouse. After our track day, we sat down with Trip to learn more about the best-kept driving secret in the South.
The following is the final installment of a three-part interview with Trip Campbell, the Founder and CEO of The Driving Club at Road Atlanta.
Home To Both Pros & Amateurs
Rod Worley – Editor – The Driving Club is very discreet concerning the privacy of its members.
I know you won’t elaborate on membership, but are there a few of the professional racing members you’d feel comfortable mentioning?
Trip Campbell – The Driver’s Club – Well, you’re right, Rod, member privacy is essential to us. For example, among our members are business leaders who hold leadership positions in prominent corporations.
They love our driving club because they get to step away from that world for a few hours. When you’re behind the wheel navigating Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, your focus is entirely on the driving experience.
You might think the CEO of Fortune 50 companies wouldn’t have time to come out to the track. The opposite is true.
Our members tell us they make time to come to the road course because it completely clears their minds. Afterward, they are better able to concentrate on the complexities of their business.
In addition to our general membership, we have prominent pro-coaches that call The Driving Club at Road Atlanta home. There are also professional race members such as Corvette Racing’s Jordan Taylor.
Jordon, who is currently piloting the #3 C8.R for Corvette Racing, has attended many of our member days. In addition, we always have private access to his pit area for our members during his races here.
He’s been a speaker at our annual “Under The Lights” event following Motul Petit Le Mans. Even as the reigning series champion and Motul Petit Le Man’s winner, Jordan was gracious enough to drive charity laps so our members could ride along with him.
We also have legendary racers such as Johnny O’Connell, Andy Pilgrim, and Leh Keen, who drop by during our track days.
First-Class Amenities
Rod Worley – Editor – We’ve got to take a moment here and talk about the gorgeous amenities at The Driving Club of Road Atlanta.
The private TURN13 member lounge and bar would be the perfect place to start. Did you design the lounge, dressing area, and private coaching rooms?
Trip Campbell – The Driver’s Club – Rod, I’d love to take credit for that, but no, we did not. Our objective was to create a Driver’s Lounge experience befitting the legendary status of this road course.
We wanted a Driver’s Lounge where you could unwind after a day at the track in style and comfort. The design ambiance had to be inviting to both spouses and member’s clients as well.
Rosa Zimmerman and her team at RSZ Interiors developed and implemented the concept in 2018. The result is a stunning Driver’s Lounge divided into a Drivers Suite, and at the end, the TURN13 Member Lounge with a dramatic view of Road Atlanta’s iconic turn 12.
The Driver’s Suite, bar area, locker rooms with showers, and restrooms are well-appointed. In addition, the seating area with large screen TVs provides a great place to unwind and talk about the day’s track experiences with friends.
In all, the Driving Club at Road Atlanta is a modern 25,000 sq ft facility designed to provide the feel of a classic country club.
Driver-Centric Sponsors
Rod Worley – Editor – Sponsorship has always been a critical element in road course events. Are there vendor partners that have shared your vision for a driver-centric experience?
Trip Campbell – The Driver’s Club – We’re fortunate to have strong sponsors of The Driving Club at Road Atlanta. We carefully vet them to ensure they benefit the members of our community.
Racing sponsors have technology & expertise that can translate down into someone’s streetcar. For example, I mentioned Motion Control Suspension (MCS) as a suspension company.
One of the first things that someone may want to improve is their suspension over the stock offering. So it’s a tremendous benefit for our members to have access to a racing vendor on-site with pro-level components and know-how.
As the members’ skills improve, we have sponsors to enhance their safety equipment and engine performance. We also have a sponsor who maintains race-prepped track cars if you are looking for that high-level experience.
Consequently, our sponsors appreciate having access to a new market and have their name associated with Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
Our key, primary sponsors are Porsche Atlanta Perimeter, Ferrari of Atlanta, and Fox Factory. All three are highly valued sponsors of The Driving Club.
Porsche Atlanta Perimeter routinely brings out test drives and supports us with new demo launches and events. In addition, many of our members drive Porsche.
We’ve enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Ferrari of Atlanta. They’ve supported us with test drives, new demo launches, and events for the Club.
The Ferrari brand also has an active and very passionate contingency among our membership ranks.
Fox Factory is an American company best known for its Fox Racing Shox brand off-road racing suspension components. Located in the building beside ours, they’re transitioning their racing expertise to the street.
P1 MotorBlock Expansion
Rod Worley – Editor – With all the success you’ve had with The Driving Club at Road Atlanta. Are there any thoughts of expanding the brand to provide a broader range of activities and experiences?
Trip Campbell – The Driver’s Club – The Driving Club will always be the anchor point for our ongoing business model. We know our members want an expanded experience that includes more than track time.
Every weekend there are somewhere between 150 to over 500 people who attend various events at Road Atlanta. But, of course, that doesn’t count the 10’s of thousands of spectators that come here for races such as Motul Petit Le Mans.
Recently we’ve announced the development of our P1 MotorBlock. We’re creating a motorsports and car enthusiast destination directly across the street on a spacious 137-acre parcel of land.
Our goal is to serve all the people who do come to Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. From the experienced racer and his crew to the casual fan and their family.
We’re giving them the opportunity to be a part of the exciting race atmosphere around one of our nation’s most iconic road courses.
More announcements on the P1 MotorBlock are coming out soon, and our website www.P1MotorBlock.com will provide updates moving forward.
The early interest and commitments have been quite strong, especially after unanimous zoning approvals last month.
Affordable Membership
Rod Worley – Editor – Trip, with all that The Driving Club at Road Atlanta has to offer, we were frankly shocked by its affordability. Especially in light of the inviting Driver’s Lounge area, significant track time, and future expansion.
Can you share some of the details?
Trip Campbell – The Driver’s Club – Rod, you’re certainly not alone. Guests who tour our facilities and see all that we provide are shocked as well.
The dynamic views of turn 12 from our Driver’s Lounge and our suite in the Michelin Tower are impressive for us lovers of road course racing.
More than the first-class amenities, we’ve worked hard to overcome the barriers to entry to become a member. When asked about membership, I often say, “Well, how much do you think it would be?”
The typical response I hear is $40,000 to $100,000 given all that we provide. The truth is, right now, a one-time charge of $9,500 gives you a lifetime membership.
There is a $325 a month fee which includes one to two-track days. But to be honest, you would pay that much per day to drive with the public where you have twice as many drivers and no catered meals.
We hold our track days during the week, so you don’t miss family events on the weekend. Also, on tracks days, you can come and go as you please and not feel obligated to stay.
Our membership will be limited to 250 members in total. Once we hit that mark, we’ll close it out.
A Complete Experience
You would be hard-pressed to spend a track day with The Driving Club at Road Atlanta and not come away with a smile. Everything you’ve been searching for in a track day is there for you.
Beyond the driving challenges of Road Atlanta and the first-class amenities of the stunning 25,000 sq ft clubhouse lies the most significant benefit of membership here.
It’s the profound sense of a brotherhood of drivers and the friendships you make with those who love to push themselves on road courses.
Combine it all, and The Driving Club at Road Atlanta becomes the affordable track club experience you can’t afford to pass up.
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