Autobahn Country Club In Joliet Has Terrific News To Share: Major Expansion New North Track Announced

(The following edited press release is from Carly Eilian of TSMG.)

JOLIET, IL — Autobahn Country Club, one of the world’s most established private motorsports clubs and the first to introduce the motorsports club concept, announces Drive to 2035, a long-term development plan designed to shape the next decade of the Club.

The new North Track will be unveiled at a special event October 7 and will officially open during Autobahn’s OktoberFast weekend, October 16–18.

Leading the plan is a nearly $3 million expansion of Autobahn’s North Track, marking one of the Club’s most significant track investments since opening in 2004.

“When we created Autobahn, the idea was simple but radical: car enthusiasts deserved a community of their own,” said Mark Basso, Co-Founder of Autobahn Country Club. “More than two decades later, this expansion shows that the idea is still evolving. We are enhancing the experience on a track they already know and love while preserving the character of the original circuit and staying true to what makes this community so special.”

The expansion adds approximately half a mile of new track, featuring a 21-foot elevation change, an 11 percent grade and a technical series of esses. The longest North Track configuration will now measure 1.5 miles with 12 turns, compared with the original nine-turn circuit. New connection points also allow the North Track to be driven in five distinct configurations, bringing Autobahn’s total road-course configurations to 11.

The new track was designed by Tilke Engineers & Architects, the internationally renowned firm behind some of the world’s most prominent Formula 1 circuits, including Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, and the Bahrain International Circuit. Tilke’s global portfolio also includes premier private motorsports and club tracks worldwide.

“This is a significant investment in the member experience and in the long-term versatility of the Club,” said Tim O’Donnell, Co-Founder, President & CEO of Autobahn Country Club. “The new North Track gives us more ways to operate, teach, race and host events, while reflecting the confidence we have in the strength of our member community and where Autobahn is headed.”

The North Track expansion is the first major project within Drive to 2035, Autobahn’s broader vision to thoughtfully evolve its 330-acre campus and enhance the member and guest experience for years to come. The plan builds on more than two decades of operational experience that has transformed Autobahn from a private road-course concept into a comprehensive automotive destination.

Today, Autobahn is home to more than 560 members and a Member Racing Series that hosts 51 car races annually, across open wheel, prototype and GT classes. Beyond its North and South road courses, the campus includes Kart Circuit Autobahn, the Autobahn Driver Academy powered by Toyota, Teen Driver Academy powered by Toyota, the Toyota TRD Pro Off-Road Experience Center, autocross cross, 3-acre skid pad, corporate and group programs as well as hospitality experiences.

"Drive to 2035 is about building on what makes Autobahn special while continuing to drive the Club forward,” said Tom Herb, Co-owner, Chief Strategy Officer of Autobahn Country Club. “Our North Track expansion, new driver development programs at the Driver Academy powered by Toyota, plus our karting and off-road experiences, are all designed to enhance our member and guest experiences. The Autobahn is creating more ways for people to experience cars, develop their skills and be part of an amazing community."

For more information about Autobahn Country Club and Drive to 2035, visit autobahncc.com.

ABOUT AUTOBAHN COUNTRY CLUB
Located on 330 acres in Joliet, Illinois, Autobahn Country Club pioneered the motorsports country-club concept and today serves a community of more than 1700 members and families. Since opening in 2004, Autobahn has grown into a comprehensive automotive campus featuring North and South road courses, 11 road-course configurations, member racing, Kart Circuit Autobahn, the Autobahn Driver Academy powered by Toyota, Teen Driver Academy powered by Toyota, a Toyota TRD Pro Off-Road Experience Center, autocross, corporate and group programs and hospitality offerings. Approximately 35 miles southwest of downtown Chicago, Autobahn serves the Greater Chicagoland auto community combining motorsports, driver development and a highly engaged automotive community.