Just in Time for Father's Day, Country-Club Circuits Offer Living on the Limit: Part 2 of 2.(News)

Byline: Pete Lyons

CENTRAL

Autobahn Country Club, Joliet, Illinois. Three miles from the Chicagoland Speedway, Alan Wilson has laid out 21 turns in a 3.56-mile lap divisible into two subcircuits. There's also a karting course, plus clubhouse, restaurant and so on. Fifty-two residential condo lots are already sold out. Coming are a museum and a 125,000-square-foot events hall, and families are being welcomed with a swimming pool and a teen driving academy. Club initiation is $35,000 for a family membership, with annual dues of $3,000 giving unlimited access. Autobahn will stage its first big spectator event this August with HSR's Bobby Rahal Historic Races.

www.autobahncountryclub.net; (815) 722-2223

Genoa Motorsports Park, Genoa, Colorado. At an impressive 6.26 miles, this new course has been designed by Martyn Thake and Kyle Chism. There are two subcircuits, and each of the three can be run in either direction, making for six options. The site is 2700 acres of rolling prairie land about 95 miles southeast of Denver International Airport. The business plan includes both private memberships and rental by outside car and bike groups. There's ample real estate for additional facilities, and proposals are being invited. Membership pricing has not been released, but the developer says it will be similar to Autobahn. Opening is expected to be next spring.

www.genoamotorsports.com (303) 590-4500

KCI Motorsports Park, Kansas City, Missouri. Adjoining Kansas City International Airport, KCI will have two road courses that can be linked to total 3.75 miles. Laid out by the ubiquitous Alan Wilson, it also will have a kart track. Use will be open to both members and outside groups, such as the SCCA. The project is still in fundraising mode, but construction is due to begin by July. Memberships are being offered on several levels, from Elite, at $35,000 initially with $500 monthly dues, to Founding Member, which costs $85,000 right now ($100,000 after track completion), but this waives the monthly fees and includes a free garage, worth another $500 a month. There will be no on-site living, but hotels are nearby. The planned opening is 2008.