The exclusive playgrounds for millionaire hoons
Wealthy petrolheads looking to enjoy their toys in private are investing in secret temples to speed – including in Australia.
Private racetracks are the new must-have luxury playgrounds for speed-seeking millionaires.
Think executive trackside villas, climate-controlled supercar garaging, professional driver coaching and members-only clubhouse, restaurants and swimming pools.
Best of all, you can exercise your Ferrari, Lamborghini or Aston Martin without risk of sharing track space with eager amateurs playing Mr Drifter in battered Hyundai Excels.
Exclusivity is key, and prices of entry high.
We sampled the new private Magarigawa Club – around 100km from Tokyo – where cashed-up Japanese enthusiasts have access to one of the world’s most spectacular racetracks carved into a mountainside.
Members pay a one-off signing-up fee of US$235,000 ($351,000), with ongoing annual fees to stay involved. Seemingly there’s no shortage of takers, as the 185-member capacity has already been reached.
Nestled among lush tree-covered mountains, the Club has luxury villas overlooking twisty ribbons of track.
These are as richly-appointed as you’d expect, so owners can relax in salubrious surrounds between speed sessions.
Each villa has a rooftop garden and garaging for up to four vehicles. Glass-fronted, of course, to show off how very well you’re doing,
I’ll admit to leaving hand and nose prints on garaging glass, peering in to witness the likes of a race-ready Mercedes-AMG GT, classic Porsche 911 3.0 RSR and a one-of-ten Ferrari J50.
At least one member owns an Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar. It’s likely the track- only AMR Pro version, requiring access to a race circuit as such cars aren’t permitted on public roads.
Ferrari, McLaren, Brabham and others also sell track-only rocket ships to the uber-wealthy, so little wonder private tracks are exploding in popularity to feed the speed need of the world’s 0.1 per cent.
That will soon include Australia.
Work is underway creating Black Rock Motor Park at Wakefield in the NSW Hunter Valley, due for completion by 2026 and operational in 2027.
It follows the model seen at Japan’s Magarigawa Club, with a 5.25km racetrack designed by the Tilke Group, the same designers responsible for F1 circuits in the US, Singapore, Bahrain and more.
The Aussie resort just outside Newcastle features trackside $3.5 million luxury freehold two-bedroom villas, with the first allocation already sold out. Fancy dining, swimming pool, spa and sauna are all on the menu for members.
There’ll be no motorsport held at Black Rock, instead it’s a private playground for members, corporate driving events, driver training and – we’re assured – public track days.
The lengthy track will include 23 corners, an 800m straight and elevation change of 125 metres.
It all makes perfect sense. While cars have got more powerful, faster and smarter, our public roads have become more congested and lined with cameras quick to punish any indiscretion.
Private tracks offer a safer high-speed paradise to enjoy with like-minded petrol (or electric) heads.
While Black Rock will be relatively inclusive, other private tracks remain reserved for the mega rich.
Examples include California’s Thermal Club, The Concours Club in Miami and Spain’s Ascari Race Resort, but Japan’s Magarigawa Club positions itself even higher, claiming to be “the world’s only luxury driving club.”
Backing the claim, there’s a helipad, natural hot spring baths, Zen-like gardens, racing attire boutique shop, champagne bar and a motorsport workshop armed with expert technicians.
To really spoil yourself, 1995 Le Mans winner Masanori Sekiya can be booked for the ultimate track driving lesson.
It’s all rather magnificent, but would count for little if the main course – the track itself – wasn’t up to scratch.
We enjoyed a dozen laps piloting Bentley’s latest high-power Continental GT Speed and Flying Spur, and Magarigawa proved a driving purist’s delight.
Its 22 corners, huge 250m elevation change and 800m straight delivered a heady mix of thrills and fear.
We saw almost 240km/h on the Bentley’s dial, and high speed corners, blind crests and areas of minimal run-off demanded utmost focus.
The track has obviously been inspired by some of the world’s finest.
There are shades of the Nürburgring, Laguna Seca and even Mt Panorama, ensuring it’s as challenging as it is spectacular.
One twisting, blind turn segment (you must be brave) climbs so steeply you’re risking a nose bleed.
The session over, it’s back to the cocooning warmth of Magarigawa’s indoor pitlane.
Somebody relieves you of your helmet, checks over your car and takes your drink order.
Pampering plus adrenaline’s an addictive mix. Let’s just hope the entitled few appreciate such exclusive performance.
Originally published as The exclusive playgrounds for millionaire hoons
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