Monticello Motor Club, the World’s Premier Automotive Playground, features 4.1 miles of smooth race-grade asphalt dedicated to the driving pleasure of its members – individuals and families who are passionate about motorsports, who relish the driving experience, and who seek a place of belonging among like-minded people. Just 90 minutes from New York City, MMC is more than a race track. It is a luxury family destination with an array of services and amenities, such as professional instruction, track-side support, premium car storage, racecar rentals, a complete karting facility, an expansive off-road course, private race schools for novice to experienced track enthusiasts, corporate entertainment, fine dining, and five-star services.
Monticello Motor Club stands on the former grounds of Monticello Airport in Monticello, N.Y. The property was purchased by MMC Club Co-Founders John Barker and Paul Queally, and two developers associated with the local Concord Hotel property, Michael Kaplan and Henry Zabatta. In May 2006, their “Drive and Race Club” site plan was approved for development by the Town of Thompson, and several Founding Members joined. In 2007, two current members, Bill McMichael and Ari Straus, purchased Michael Kaplan’s and Henry Zabatta’s positions in the Drive and Race Club. In 2008, the Club was renamed “Monticello Motor Club.”
MMC has continued to expand to serve the 470+ individuals and family members who enjoy exclusive membership privileges. Since its launch, MMC has completed several major construction projects, including a member clubhouse, bridge, several private garage facilities, service center, fuel pumps, karting track with kart service and storage, and a family center overlooking the karting facilities. In 2018, MMC will introduce its all new Collector Car Gallery, a 13,000-square-foot glass and steel structure to showcase members’ significant classic and sports cars. While several race tracks have mimicked MMC with their own “Driver Club” offerings to complement their primary business as public rental facilities, MMC is proud to be recognized by enthusiasts, racers, race track designers, and fellow track owners as the World’s Premier Automotive Playground. Today, Paul Queally serves as MMC’s chairman and principal partner, and Ari Straus continues to serve as its CEO and managing partner. Paul and Ari intend to continue growing MMC to its cap of 750 membership licenses, and anticipate their children, auto enthusiasts and racers Brian Queally (26) and Aurora Straus (19), to continue the dream for generations.
Ari has served as MMC’s managing partner since 2010. Earlier in his career, he worked for Deloitte Consulting and later founded the online retailer, Figleaves.com (sold 2000). Ari also served as the general manager for Walmart.com and later founded mdINR, a healthcare software and service provider (sold 2010 to Lincare Holdings, Nasdaq:LNCR). Since 2008, he’s competed in various professional racing series including IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, IMSA Cooper Lites Prototypes, and SCCA Pro’s Mazda MX-5 Cup. Ari is also an avid scuba diver and private pilot.
Paul B. Queally is a general partner of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, a private equity firm in New York. Paul served as the firm’s co-president since 2005, before partially retiring in December 2006. Prior to joining Welsh Carson in 1995, Paul was a general partner at the Sprout Group, the venture capital affiliate of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation. He is a board member of United Surgical Partners, Inc., Concentra Inc., MedCath Inc., Aptuit, Inc., and several private companies. Paul is an avid collector of vintage cars with a focus of collecting street legal Ferraris and Porsches that have a distinguished racing heritage. Paul is an active participant in the club’s activities and is the master of ceremonies for the Queally Mazda Classic series.
Brian Redman is a world-famous driving champion and winner of 77 races in 12 countries. He is one of the racing world’s most accomplished and respected figures, and a Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee. Mr. Redman has competed in Formula racing, open-wheelers, Can-Am, IMSA, and FIA. He has driven for a wide variety of famous factory teams including Aston Martin, BMW, BRM, Chevron, Cooper, Ferrari, Ford, Jaguar, Lola, Mazda, McLaren, Porsche, Shadow, and Surtees.
A preeminent architect of next-generation race tracks, Bruce Hawkins is the senior vice president of the Civil Engineering Department at Paulus, Sokolowski & Sartor, LLC (PS&S), an architecture and engineering firm based in Warren, N.J. He has been with PS&S since 1980, and has contributed to high profile projects including the Bridgewater Promenade, Borgata Hotel & Casino, and Arm & Hammer Park – home of the Trenton Thunder.
The South Clubhouse is where many of the Club’s services and amenities can be found. It is an elegantly appointed space capable of hosting everything from award ceremonies to fine dining gatherings; intimate classroom sessions to large scale functions. Its features include:
To safely deliver exciting motorsports experiences and camaraderie to an exclusive group of high-end auto enthusiasts, their guests, and families.
