Return Visit to Apex Motor Club Showcases Its Growth

Photo: Nick LishPhoenix, AZ — It’s been a minute since I last visited Apex Motor Club in Maricopa, Arizona. A quick check of the calendar shows that it was November 2019 — though it seems much longer — when I went out to see our Nov/Dec 2019 Cover Car, the 1982 Mirage M12 Group C Sports Prototype stretching its legs before a race weekend at COTA. Back then there was a track (most important), a canopy structure (almost as important — it is Arizona after all), and not much else.
I was lucky enough to catch these two track monsters (Porsche 935 and McLaren P1 GTR) before they were loaded into a truck and whisked away. Photo: Nick LishNow things have changed considerably. There’s a temporary clubhouse, construction is in progress nearly everywhere and there are a lot more cars.
Chris Hines of ArrowLane fastens the hood of Mike Silverman’s 1958 Echidna Special. Photo: Nick LishThe follow-up visit to Apex a few weeks ago was at the invitation of my friend and VM’s former owner/publisher Mike Silverman, who asked if I’d like drive a few old race cars. Naturally, my response was a resounding, “yes, please!”
Senor Silverman at speed in the 1958 Echidna Special. Photo: Nick Lish

 

While there, I also had the opportunity to get a firsthand look at just how far things have come, and it was impressive. A number of members were testing cars that day; one of them was IndyCar champ and current NBC Sports commentator Paul Tracy.
Paul Tracy maneuvering his Norma M30 LMP3 to the pits after setting the track record. Photo: Nick LishAfter catching up with Tracy and admiring his “new” ride, he asked if I was coming to the race that weekend. Unaware of the event, but still living by my credo of experiencing as much racing as possible (especially in the last year), I replied, “I hadn’t planned on it, but I’ll see if I can.”
Photo: Nick LishLess than 72 hours later, I was unpacking my photo gear amongst a large and enthusiastic group of racers who had gathered for the Apex Challenge, Apex Motor Club’s members-only race series.
Photo: Nick LishI witnessed quite a variety of cars, but the largest contingent by far were the Radicals. Radical AZ at Apex Motor Club was recently named Radical Sportscar Dealer of the Year for 2020 as they already have nearly 40 Radical Sportscars on the property in their first year.
Photo: Nick Lish

 

Between races I was able to catch up a bit with Brittany Stoler, Apex Motor Club’s Director of Club Operations. “The first phase of 48 Member Private Garages begins construction in the next few months,” she said. “Phase One is already sold out and we have a wait list for Phase Two. Once Phase One Garages are complete, we will jump to Phase Two Garages, our Second Racing Circuit (over 2 miles) and the Member Clubhouse which includes a restaurant, bar, gym, locker rooms, child care, outdoor swimming pool and more.”
Photo: Nick LishEven before its two-year anniversary, Apex recently surpassed 200 members.
Photo: Nick LishWho knows what other growth I’ll see the next time I visit Apex Motor Club, but I am quite eager to find out.