Shifting Gears: California’s Thermal Club Is a Paradise for Motorsports Enthusiasts

If those weekends at the golf club are beginning to leave you uninspired, maybe it’s time to visit Thermal Club, California’s foremost member’s club for all things motorsport-related.

In the world of the high-octane, there’s no shortage of destinations you could visit for a glimpse of impeccably engineered machinery roaring down the pit straights at unimaginable velocities and decibels, whether its Britain’s Silverstone Circuit, home to the very first Formula 1 World Championship race in history; Italy’s Autodromo Nazionale Monza, aptly dubbed the Temple of Speed; or the Nürburgring Nordschleife, the world’s longest race track, ominously named “The Green Hell” by none other than three-times champion Sir Jackie Stewart. But if you’re at any of these locations to live vicariously through the adrenaline-fueled contest of professional racers, why not pump up your own adrenaline, strap on a helmet, and push that pedal to the metal yourself?

Located in California’s scenic Coachella Valley with a spectacular view of the Santa Rosa Mountains, the Thermal Club will let you do just that. The member’s-only country club is the brainchild of entrepreneur Tim Rogers, who set out in 2012 to create a comprehensive experience for motorsport and supercar enthusiasts that includes everything from expert-designed racetracks to vehicle upgrade services and even sufficient garage space for 20 cars per person.

Naturally, the highlight of this 172-hectare property are the 8.2km of track designed by Alan Wilson, who’s responsible for more than 20 other circuits around the world, including tracks in China, the US and Canada. Going the extra mile, he partnered with racing-driver-turned-businessman Roger Penske to develop a special type of asphalt specifically for Thermal Club’s track. The longest configuration, the Triple Crown, combines three separate circuits into one, but there’s also plenty of flexibility when it comes to running multiple unique circuits and layouts to keep you on your toes.

In fact, the team has done such an exceptional job with the circuit that it won the Motorsports Facility of the Year Award in 2017 before it was even fully constructed. The accolades naturally caught the eye of IndyCar’s organisers, who decided to run their annual spring testing session at the club this year. With plans to return next season, Rogers hopes to host a full IndyCar race weekend by as early as 2025.

But to fully appreciate a circuit of this calibre, you’re going to need the proper training, which is where Dominic Cicero and his extensive team of coaches step in. As a professional racer who’s competed in everything from the Formula Renault V6 Eurocup to the American Le Mans GT2 series, Cicero is the perfect candidate to help you hone your race craft, whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned driver. Members have unlimited access to the track, which can accommodate 25 to 40 vehicles at once, five days a week, and Thermal Club also runs its own race series every year, consisting of roughly eight events held once a month during the winter season.

While the exclusive club may be every motorhead’s fantasy, it’s not just about living fast either. When they aren’t on track, head over to the Motorsports Village clubhouse, where guests can kick back, relax and socialise with other racing enthusiasts over fine-dining experiences, compete in a game of tennis, or take a dip in the pool. If they prefer a more private setting, they can also unwind in the comfort of home on one of the club’s 268 trackside housing plots, where both a choice of floor plans or bespoke designs are available. Family-friendly activities are held during race weekends, and members also enjoy exclusive access to supercar launches.

If all of this has got you revving your engines, the club is currently accepting new membership applications. To join, you’ll also have to buy one of its housing plots and commit to a few initial membership charges and regular maintenance fees, but if your local country club is starting to feel a little stale, it might be time to fire up the ignition and give Thermal Club a call.