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