ADAMS COUNTY, Colorado – Colorado is no stranger to auto racing. The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is one of the most iconic of its kind, and the Colorado National Speedway hosts plenty of races throughout the year. But a new, members-only race course is coming to the state, and its being built right near Denver International Airport.
Ascent Drive Resort is set to include a 3.75-mile FIA Grade-2 road course in addition to a 160-acre Off Road Park with a rallycross track, Rubicon Trail-style technical terrain, and a Baja 1000-inspired high-speed dirt section. It will also have a .8 mile karting track and more than 750 GT-Series garages.
According to the company’s website, the course’s average lap speed sits just under 100mph, and the right driver with the right car could get up to 175mph in the fastest sections. The course is also set to feature 40-foot wide safety runoff areas which, in addition to state-of-the-art safety electronics and energy-absorbing barriers, will apparently create one of the safest road courses in the industry.
This course will not be open to the public. Those interested in actually driving on the course will have to become a member, which requires a minimum $65,000 initiation fee and $7,500 annual dues. Or you can become a founding member for a light $225,000, allowing you to skip annual dues throughout your membership.
If there’s a place that’s right for a private race course, it’s probably the eastern plains of Colorado. Fairly flat and near barren, right next to DIA for easy access, and near a city like Denver? Sounds like a perfect location to me. I just hope I’ll be able to see it in person someday, ideally without paying $65,000.